Project bridges differences

The Charlotte Observer- March 16, 2011
Eric Frazier: 704-358-5145 or @ericfraz on Twitter.

They hail from schools on different sides of town, from families on opposite ends of the socioeconomic spectrum.

But fifth-graders at Charlotte Latin, an elite private school, and KIPP Academy, a charter school where poverty rates top 70 percent, have learned a lot from each other over the past month or so.

They’ve been collaborating on a special academic project that wrapped up Tuesday with students showcasing their results.

Organizers call it the Ubuntu Project, after a South African philosophical concept that suggests relationships are essential to being human.

The plan: have students join peers from the other school and spend weeks preparing persuasive, creative team presentations on “The Greatest Leader in History.” Along the way, they’d hone skills in critical thinking, note-taking, researching and public speaking.

And just as important, they’d get to know kids of various races and backgrounds.

KIPP student Matthew Hill-Huntley said when the project cranked up, he didn’t know how much he’d have in common with kids from a wealthy private school.

But when students played an ice-breaking game called “Have You Ever?” he learned that Charlotte Latin kids liked soccer, basketball, drawing and reading, just like he did.

Students from Charlotte Latin said they found much in common with the KIPP kids, too.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from or your race or differences,” said Bennett Smith. “Other people you might think are so different from you can do the same things.”

The project stemmed from discussions between Derrick Gates, associate director of high-school placement at KIPP, and Nick Wharton, director of diversity at Charlotte Latin.

“It’s a partnership of equals,” Wharton said. “We learn a lot from them and they learn a lot from us.”

But walking around Charlotte Latin’s spacious, well-manicured campus, the KIPP students were impressed.

“They came out here and saw the resources and they were like, ‘Whoa,’” Gates said. “It’s pushing them to work a little harder.”

During the project, teams of 24 students took turns visiting each others’ school. The first session, at KIPP’s northeast Charlotte campus, focused on breaking down stereotypes. A second session at Charlotte Latin covered effective research and note-taking. A third, at KIPP, centered on persuasive presentation skills.

On Tuesday, during the final gathering, most of the fifth grade from both schools gathered at Charlotte Latin’s gym to hear the presentations.

Urged to think creatively, one group made the case that mothers are the greatest leaders throughout history. Another argued for philanthropists including Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey. Another centered on how Adolf Hitler could have been the greatest if he hadn’t used his power for evil.

The students said they enjoyed the project, and felt they learned a lot just getting to meet nice kids from the other side of town.

“It’s just more proof that money doesn’t really affect personality,” said Rich Pope, a Charlotte Latin student. “They’re still a lot like us.”

KIPP student Joy Washington said working with the project and visiting Charlotte Latin gave her a new dream: “I’m coming here for high school.”

View this article on the Charlotte Observer website