The purpose of Freedom Summer is to expand our students' concepts of what it means to be a leader, a student, and a member of the Freedom Project community. We welcome students from 3rd - 12th grade for our summer programming for three different programs: Little Freedom Summer, Middle Freedom Summer, and Freedom Summer Collegiate. We ask our students to grow, study, explore, and take risks through academics, arts, clubs, and travel. Freedom Summer is difficult, hot, and life-changing.

Little freedom summer

Started in the summer of 2023, Little Freedom Summer welcomes rising 3rd - 6th graders to the Freedom Project for the summer. Little Freedom School Fellows begin their journey with the Freedom Project through participating in reading & math classes, as well as daily circle-ups. Fellows learn about the Freedom Project way through reading justice-oriented books, discussing the LEAD principles, exploring Freedom Fighters, and engaging in exploratory mathematics. Now in its third year, Little Freedom Summer has become a huge part of our summer programming.

Middle Freedom Summer

Our Middle Freedom Summer welcomes rising 7th & 8th graders to our building. Over Freedom Summer, these fellows read novels that explore struggles for justice -- many of which relate to the Civil Rights Movement. These Fellows also participate in clubs -- some past clubs that have been offered are: artivism, chess, astrophotography, outdoor adventure, and photography.

Freedom Summer collegiate

In the summer after their 9th-grade year, Freedom Fellows take a variety of courses taught by PhD candidates from around the country. Recruited and supported by our partner organization, Freedom Summer Collegiate, these doctoral candidates develop courses in their fields of study. Not only do these courses allow Fellows to explore their passions, they also provide opportunities for Fellows to earn credits through Millsaps College while developing their collegiate skills.