Raze Curriculum

 At Raze Early Learning and Development Center, we believe every child has a right to see  themselves in the faces, stories, and brilliance of those who helped build the country they call  home. Black excellence, ingenuity, and pride in country are not absent from early learning  themes—they’ve simply been excluded.

 At Raze, we’re changing that. We make clear that Black  history is American history—woven directly into the stories, science, art, and exploration that  fill a preschooler’s day.  We use traditional early childhood themes not to avoid cultural truth, but to reveal it. Whether  the focus is community helpers, construction, the seasons, or space, we intentionally embed  stories and contributions from Black culture and history to reflect the full human experience. 

All  children, regardless of race deserve a curriculum that tells the complete story of who we are and where we come from.  Our curriculum is built to be holistic, individualized, and experiential. It nurtures the whole child —socially, emotionally, physically, and academically—while preparing them for kindergarten  and the world beyond. 

We believe learning should be experienced, not passively received. That’s  why our daily instruction includes real-world application, hands-on learning, movement,  storytelling, and student voice 

Our curriculum is shaped by the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, which starts not  with lessons, but with purpose. Education at Raze begins with the end in mind—ensuring  students not only know, but understand what they learn, why it matters, and how to apply it to  their lives and communities.  Our theory operates on three guiding tenets 

 Begin with Purpose We first identify the learning outcomes we want to see—outcomes that are  developmentally appropriate, culturally grounded, and identity-affirming. Every learning experience is designed to foster confidence, curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep sense of belonging. 

 Design Backward, Teach Forward  We use backward design to build our curriculum. We start with what children should  be able to understand or do, and then create authentic, engaging experiences that  lead them there—across all domains: STEAM, literacy, social-emotional development, and cultural awareness.  

Culturally Grounded and Universally Inclusive  Our foundation is unapologetically rooted in Black American culture and contributions—  not as an extra, but as the base upon which we build inclusive learning for all children.  When historically excluded narratives are centered, we cultivate empathy, deeper  engagement, and true equity in education.  

We align our teaching with an outcomes-based education (OBE) model, but with a culturally responsive twist. We define outcomes not only by academic benchmarks, but by whether a  child feels seen, heard, and valued.  While OBE models are often criticized for relying too heavily on assessments or disconnecting families from the learning process, we address these challenges directly: 

 We partner with families as co-educators, ensuring outcomes reflect cultural relevance and  community voice. 

 Our assessments are holistic, low-pressure, and child-centered. They measure what truly  matters: identity formation, curiosity, readiness, and connection—not just test scores.  

We focus on the whole child, recognizing that meaningful growth may not always look  linear, and that academic success is inseparable from emotional, social, and cultural  development.  

Our students aren’t just reaching standards. They are building confidence, community, and capacity for a future rooted in liberation 

Beneath the formal curriculum lies what children absorb daily through the Raze experience:  

Cultural Identity & Pride  “My culture is valuable, beautiful, and worthy of celebration.”  Our classrooms honor Black excellence, local legends, and ancestral wisdom  allowing children to grow up proud of who they are and where they come from.

Emotional Literacy & Healing  “My feelings are valid, and I have the tools to name and manage them.”  Emotional regulation is woven into our routines. With accessible mental health support and  trauma-informed care, we teach not just behavior, but healing 

Resistance to Deficit Narratives  “I am capable, brilliant, and whole—not in need of fixing.”  We challenge the false narratives often placed on Black and marginalized children. Our  educators uplift strengths, affirm genius, and design environments that nurture success. 

Collective Power & Interdependence  “We rise together, and I have a role in our community.”  Through shared projects and family engagement, children learn that strength comes from  unity, not isolation. Collaboration is a value, not a task.  

Liberation through Learning  “Education is not just about school—it’s about freedom.”  Our curriculum is a tool for empowerment. Children don’t just learn facts—they gain the  confidence to ask questions, imagine change, and act with purpose.