The Ijoba Shule - Private School Excellence, Home School Environment

Mission and Philosophy

The Ijoba Shules mission is to teach students to be responsible handlers of power in service to the Divine, nation, community and family. We believe that a life is meaningless unless it is lived in service to something greater than oneself, hence one of our school mottos: Not for oneself alone. There are four (4) major tenets that support our mission:

1. Character/moral development
2. A values-based, demanding, but nurturing academic environment
3. Development of a strong, positive Afrakan identity
4. Nation-building mindset

The core values of The Ijoba Shule are reflected in the Sankofa Code of Honor listed below:

1. Honor (Towotowo)
2. Courage (Ilaya)
3. Loyal and dutiful (Seegbekele ati Eto)
4. Rectitude (Iwa-ododo)
5. Compassionate (Aanu)
6. Honesty (Olooto)
7. Courteous (Amaluwabi)
8. Self-control (Isera).
9. Appreciate the arts (Ona-moyi)

The Shule works to help students recognize the proper balance and placement of the self in relation to the group (i.e. class, family, community etc.). We value the richness of our community and the opportunity and challenges it provides for the education of our students. Under the guidance and direction of our dedicated faculty and staff, Ijoba Shule students gain composure, dignity and presence that will guide them throughout their lives.

We trace our roots to the existence of the nations first segregated post-Bellum, one-room schoolhouses through to the growth of Independent Black Institutions (IBI) in the 1960s and 70s. We opened our doors for instruction in Fall 2005.

Ijoba Education

In addition to our character-building and academic mission, The Ijoba Shule, as an outgrowth of Ile Iwa-Pele (House of Gentle Character) spiritual community, is fully committed to the sentiments and practices of traditional Afrakan values, which are integral to the life of the school and our community. The traditional influence manifests itself daily in the practice of libation, ancestral remembrance and respect and Pan-Afrakan confraternity to name a few. The Shule is under the care of Egbe Ijoba.

Meditations

At the beginning of the day and again at the conclusion, our students are provided several minutes to perform their silent breathing meditation, in the tradition of their Kemetic (Egyptian) ancestors. This is a time for not thinking, and instead quieting the mind and just being fully present in the moment.

Shule Saku (Shule Circle)

Our students are taught to listen to each other, and to think and work through challenges as a unit. Shule Saku, brings together the entire Lower School for collective decision-making and planning in a manner that strengthens the community.

Conflict Resolution

Clear and high standards for behavior contribute to the well being of each individual and the community. The Ijoba Shule is committed to teaching nonviolence and creating a community in which all members seek peaceful resolution to conflicts

Community Service

Inherent in the Shules belief that life should be lived in service to something greater than oneself, community service is an integral feature of our curriculum. Service begins in the Lower Shule with various classroom responsibilities and participation in Shule-wide projects.

Prayer and Worship Time

Students are provided time for personal prayer and worship consistent with the tradition that they observe at home. All of our students are encouraged to be spiritual- to believe in something greater than them. We believe that by providing such scheduled time that mutual respect for each others spirituality is enhanced, and each students life is enriched.

Source: http://www.ijobashule.org/