Escuela Plus Elementary Honors Black History Month Through Art, Stories, and Music

Source: Los Angeles Sentinel News Service - March 12, 2025

→View Article Here

TK through 1st Grade students and Gregory Perry, right, (4th Grade) as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (George Nowlin)

Amid the widespread erasure of Black history in many parts of the country, Escuela Plus Elementary in Baldwin Hills remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that African American youth are knowledgeable about and proud of their heritage.

Founded by Dr. Sandra Roussell in 2011, Escuela Plus continues the legacy of her previous schools, Escuela de Montessori, which served the communities of Westchester, Redondo Beach, and Long Beach for over 30 years. Dr. Roussell established Escuela Plus to address the growing need for a nurturing, academically rigorous environment for today’s elementary-aged children.

From left are Thandiwe Ngwenya, Koty Diop, Kharis Mabson, and Phoenix Burch. (George Nowlin)

A key focus of Escuela Plus’s curriculum is American history, with a particular emphasis on Black history as an essential part of the nation’s story. Throughout the year, students engage in lessons on Black history. In February, all students participate in the school’s annual Black History Program—one of the school’s most anticipated events.

2nd through 5th Grade student participants in the Poetry Contest. (Courtesy photo)

This year’s program theme was “Black Excellence Throughout the 1960’s to 1990’s.” The youngest students, from TK through 1st Grade, explored themes of civil rights and social justice prevalent in the 1960’s and 1970’s. They marched as if they were at the March on Washington. Students recited poetry about the importance of inclusion and pioneer Shirley Chisolm and spoke in first person as trailblazers from the era.

The 2nd through 3rd Grade students continued with the 1980s with a skit as though they were the high school Class of 1986 at their high school reunion, reminiscing about the remarkable figures from that decade and the unforgettable music and TV shows.

Escuela Plus Parent Organization Board Members are, from left, Thomas Day, Kathryn Taylor Smith, Robyn Jones-Williams, Kimberly Guillemet, Charlene Williams, Tiffany Moore, KayJay Miller, Jabari Willis, and Dominique Westmoreland. (Courtesy photo)

The 4th and 5th Grade students moved the crowd with their impactful 90’s Legacy Museum skit and their extraordinary, crowd-invigorating dance performances. The program closed with all of the students’ upbeat rendition of the 1970’s hit song “We Are Family.”

The show was coordinated by Escuela’s classroom teachers, music instructor Jacqueline Tringov, and dance instructor Michael Tomlin, with musical accompaniment provided by Escuela parent Walter Millsap and his band and alum parent DeVoux Grant. The program was met with multiple standing ovations from an enthusiastic audience that included current and prospective families, alumni, friends, and staff.

Escuela de Montessori earned a reputation for its success in educating students of color, who often went on to attend top secondary schools and prestigious colleges and universities across the country. With Escuela Plus, Dr. Roussell has continued her commitment to academic excellence, offering an accelerated curriculum that allows students from TK through 5th Grade to perform one to two years above public-school and many private schools’ grade level in all subjects.

In addition to exceptional academics, Escuela Plus places a strong emphasis on developing the whole child. Core values such as integrity, honesty, self-esteem, and character building are integral to the school’s approach. Students also participate in specialized instruction in areas including physical education, dance, music, visual arts, and yoga, enriching their educational experience.

A beloved tradition at Escuela Plus is the international excursion during Spring Break. Over the years, families have traveled to destinations such as China, France, England, Italy, Greece, Spain, Africa, Cuba, and Mexico. This year’s trip will take students and families to Southern Spain and Morocco, further expanding their global perspective.

Escuela Plus Elementary continues to nurture both the minds and spirits of its students, equipping them with the academic knowledge and cultural pride to succeed in the world.

For more information about Escuela Plus, visit www.escuelapluselementary.com.