A historic shift to African-centered education in the heart of St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood.
ST. PAUL, MN — In a move that blends academic innovation with deep cultural heritage, Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) has officially cleared the path for Benjamin E. Mays Elementary to relaunch as a flagship Afrocentric PreK-5 campus in the fall of 2026.
Located at 560 Rondo Avenue—the heart of a neighborhood historically displaced by the construction of I-94—the school is transitioning from its current International Baccalaureate (IB) program to a model grounded in the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) and African-centered values. Detailed information regarding this transition and the school’s mission can be found directly on the official Saint Paul Public Schools website.
A Curriculum Built on “Black Historical Consciousness”
The new curriculum isn’t just a social studies elective; it is an interdisciplinary reboot. According to district plans, the program will integrate the 8 Black Historical Consciousness Principles, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on:
- Black Joy and Emotionality: Celebrating resolve and the full spectrum of the Black experience.
- Black Futurism: Using history to reimagine and invent future possibilities.
- Agency and Resistance: Highlighting active leadership and social change rather than a history of victimhood.
- Global Diaspora: Connecting students to ancient Africa and Black experiences worldwide.
“Scholars will see themselves and their communities reflected in what they learn,” the school’s mission statement reads, “building cultural pride and a strong sense of identity.”
Why Rondo? Why Now?
For the St. Paul community, the location is symbolic. The Rondo neighborhood was once the epicenter of Black commerce and culture in Minnesota. By establishing this powerhouse at Benjamin E. Mays, the district aims to offer a “cultural repair” of sorts, providing a rigorous educational environment that aligns with the neighborhood’s legacy.
Principal Danielle Hughes, who has been steering the transition, emphasized that the model is “literature-rich” and designed to dismantle frameworks that perpetuate bias. The school will also feature the recently unveiled Toni Stone Atrium, named after the St. Paul native who was the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues.
The Enrollment Roadmap
While the full program officially debuts in the Fall 2026 school year, the district is already in high gear with family engagement:
- Current Families: Students currently at Benjamin E. Mays are automatically enrolled and do not need to reapply.
- Transfer Options: Families wishing to remain in an IB track have been given priority placement at other SPPS IB elementary schools with district transportation provided.
- Community Support: The school is partnering with local organizations and the University of St. Thomas to ensure teachers are trained in “culturally-sustaining instructional practices.”
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