Learning Community Charter School (LCCS) in Jersey City is pleased to announce its inaugural capstone project for its 8th grade class, a trip to visit key sites from the Civil Rights Movement during the final week of March. The tour will deepen students’ understanding of American history through direct engagement with landmarks and figures across the South that played pivotal roles in the movement.

The four-day trip includes visits to the Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, all backdrops of living lessons for the students on the Montgomery Bus Boycott and other chapters in the civil rights struggle.

Students will also have the chance to speak with individuals who witnessed this history, including those who faced violence during the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and activists who endured the brutality of police dogs and water hoses during peaceful protests.

Colin Hogan, Head of School at LCCS, emphasized the value of this experience, stating, “We are proud to offer this opportunity to our 8th grade students. At Learning Community Charter School, our commitment to learning goes beyond the traditional classroom and our students gain an even deeper appreciation for the ongoing struggle for civil rights in our country, work that remains unfinished today. This trip is part of our effort to provide our students with an understanding and appreciation of our shared American history through hands-on learning from the people and places that shaped this country.”

To make certain that all students can participate, LCCS ensured that students eligible for free and reduced lunch paid only a third of the cost, while families facing hardships received additional discounts. Some students generously paid more than required, which allowed for even more reduced prices for students in need. LCCS covered the remaining balances, reaffirming a commitment to making the experience available to all students. 

“I’m really excited to see places we’ve learned about in social studies class,” says Lauryn Bunales, 8th grade student at LCCS. “Hearing the stories of people who actually lived through the civil rights movement is the opportunity of a lifetime.” 

Upon returning, students will complete a community service requirement to develop and deliver presentations that go beyond recounts of their travels. These presentations are designed with defined learning goals and outcomes, and are required to connect directly to one of LCCS’ core values. In doing so, they serve a crucial role to convey to younger learners and the wider community the lasting significance of this historical journey and the ongoing effort towards achieving equality.

Learning Community Charter School looks forward to the lasting impact this trip will have on its students, hoping to inspire a deeper sense of empathy, understanding, and responsibility towards the fight for civil rights and social justice.

For more information about Learning Community Charter School, please visit www.lccsnj.org.