Welcome to
The Zion FREEdom School
Curriculum Development
The Zion FREEdom School curriculum is developed as part of The FREE Zion Project research study. It is informed by Curriculum Builders’ lived educational experiences, dreams, and solutions they propose to strengthen the educational experiences of Black youth. The research team analyzes Curriculum Builders’ data that is collected during Freedom School Saturdays, then present a set of classes for Curriculum Builders to approve.
Our Curriculum
Black History 101
May - July 2026
Black History 101 emphasizes the Zion community’s contributions to education, and related histories on African American liberation within rural Kentuckian counties served by The FREE Zion Project. Black History 101 is taught thematically, meaning that each lesson weaves various eras of local educational history together.
Vlog Showcase
August 2026
At the vlog showcase, we encourage Pilots and community members to share their thoughts on findings from Black History 101. Feedback determines growth areas and action items to continue ZFS activities. Vlog showcase attendees engage a research presentation and feedback discussion.
Living History teaches narrators how to document Zion’s history. This course speaks to narrators' desires to learn about Freedman Schools, Black schooling experiences in predominantly white areas, and local family histories. Narrators create projects that range from community archiving and oral histories, to political organizing.
September - November 2026
Living History
Vlog Showcase & Graduation
December 2026
The final vlog showcase celebrates graduates who attend Freedom School Saturday classes.
Monthly tutoring requirement
Scholar Studies
Curriculum Details
Curriculum available to eligible Pilots (youth) in 2026.
Cohorts are dependent on Pilots’ ages.
Pilots will fulfill requirements for 3 courses over the span of 8 months by attending Freedom School Saturdays.
2 of 3 classes will run once per month, for 3 consecutive months.
The Scholar Study course requires Pilots to attend at least 3 hours of tutoring per month, over the span of their matriculation. Pilots can fulfill their Scholar Study requirements by tutoring others, or receiving tutoring services.
Materials for classes will be provided.
Pilots will receive incentives for participating in Freedom School Saturdays.
*The FREE Zion Project’s curriculum is a living and everchanging document, which means that it may be edited. It is important that members of the Zion community participating in this research review and approve all changes in our curriculum before implementation.
The Zion FREEdom School
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