Raising a male black teenager is hard. It helps to have the support of a great school…

My son, Asante Sandiford, had a difficult last two years of middle school.  He had always had such a calm temperament and loved school so I was very surprised when I started receiving phone calls from administration putting me on notice of his behavioral issues.  I attributed some of this behavior to the hormonal changes of a growing teenager and some to the fact that his dad had been recently diagnosed with cancer.  My son constantly came home and complained of not liking school and his teachers.  Again, I attributed this to him becoming a teenager and decided to keep him in this school. After all, it was one of the top ranked middle schools in Boston, my son was in their advance work program and even one of our Presidents had visited and given the school accolades! After visiting to speak with a teacher with whom Asante was having a problem and a member of the administration, I was appalled.  This teacher was very antagonistic and the administrator chose to roll her neck and eyes while speaking to me!  I left the school that day knowing the choice I made regarding the institution where my son would be educated for the next four years was more crucial than ever.  Not only was I raising a young black man that was entering some of the most challenging years of his life, I was facing raising him alone.  His education was so important to keeping him on the right track in life and one fatal mistake could cost my son.  I had made the decision that my son would not continue in traditional district schools.  If he did not want to attend Boston Latin Academy (my high school alma mater) or one of the other examination schools, then I knew private school was the only option.  It was at this time Asante’s dad starting researching charter schools and came back with information he had found on a wonderful charter school named City on a Hill.  I was impressed by the testing scores, the uniform policy and the small school setting which guaranteed my son one-on-one time, if needed.  His dad had also known some parents of other students at the school and after having them rave about the academics, structure and discipline of the school my son was entered into the lottery and received a place at the school. My son was actually excited to start high school as were his dad and I.

At the beginning of Asante’s freshman year, his dad’s health began to decline.  Asante was spending late nights at the hospital with his dad while continuing with his studies.  He loved his new school and was determined to make the honor roll every term despite what he was going through.  In early November of my son’s freshman year, his dad passed away.  The support that not only my son, but I received from the whole school was amazing!  My son had only been at this school for two months, but everyone went out of their way to make sure that my son was as comfortable as could be regarding school during this time.  There were check in calls during my son’s absence and administrators attended all services in support of my son. By the way, my son did still make the honor roll that term!

Asante’s past two years at City on a Hill have been awesome.  Asante loves his teachers.  Even when he has done something wrong, Asante does not feel disrespected as he has felt in the past. My son has been disciplined, but not antagonized. He now feels like he can have conversations with his teachers.  He has not been berated ever, but everything explained in an authoritative manner.  I have not run into a neck-rolling administration at City on a Hill.  Even if I may not agree with something or a decision, I have always had very professional discussions with anyone I have come across at the school. As a parent, I could not ask for better communication from a school.  Teachers know I am a phone call or email away and do not hesitate to contact me if the need arises.  I attend all parent/teacher meetings and I feel I know what is going on at all times. If I ever feel out of the loop, I can always give any teacher a call, send an email or just check the web portal that is always up to date! I love when my son walks in the door and his eyes bulge in shock when I ask him about a demerit he received that day.

The love that my son has for school is back.  City on a Hill offers a demanding curriculum that makes students work and Asante is invested in doing the work.  There is such an expectation of greatness and success at City on a Hill that they have helped instill in my son.  Freshman year was almost considered a disappointment by him because he did not make the honor roll all terms.  He has set this goal again and is well on his way to achieving it.  My same son who moaned and groaned once he found out he had to wear uniforms every day has now embraced wearing uniforms to school and loves dressing professionally for presentations and other events at the school.  Asante plays basketball at City on a Hill and has excelled.  Onaje Woodbine is a coach, mentor and positive influence for my son and the other young men on the team. It is great for the boys to see an educated man of color balance education and sports. The focus is always education first and Coach Woodbine has become a partner of mine in Asante’s basketball development.  The resources and time he gives to me, my son and the team are invaluable. Thanks to the Coach, Yale University is now one of Asante’s top college picks!

Some studies and statistics say that my young black son should be in a juvenile detention home or should have been arrested already.  Now that he does not have his dad, he is destined to fail.  City on a Hill is a well rounded school that is totally invested in my son doing well and I feel, committed to partnering with me to make sure that happens.  From Dr. Hays, to all of his teachers, to Coach Woodbine – I know I have true partners in my son’s educational success.

Ms. Tori Willis is the mother of Asante Sandiford, City on a Hill Class of 2014.