In the fast-paced world of education where testing, standards, and accountability often take center stage—especially this time of year—it’s easy to overlook something incredibly powerful: the strength of community. While Paramount Schools of Excellence prides itself on exceeding expectations on standardized testing and receiving national designations like the Blue Ribbon award, it also recognizes that connecting to community is paramount at Paramount (pun intended). A school’s ability to engage, support, and work hand-in-hand with its surrounding community isn’t just a "nice to have"; it’s essential to a student’s holistic growth and success. Nowhere did I find this more evident than in the recent Black Heritage Festival hosted by Paramount Schools of Excellence. This free event wasn’t just a celebration of culture and history; it was a living testament to the importance of coming alongside the community, especially in today’s educational landscape.

The Power of Community in Education

Schools are more than just places of learning—they are cornerstones of the communities they serve. At Paramount Schools of Excellence, where 56% of the students identify as Black, the relationships formed between educators, students, parents, and local organizations create an ecosystem of support that extends far beyond the classroom. This strong community bond plays a crucial role in nurturing a sense of belonging and pride, enabling students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. While academic excellence is, of course, a goal, so too is the development of well-rounded individuals who understand their place in the world and feel empowered to give back to their communities.

That’s where the Paramount Schools of Excellence’s Black Heritage Festival came in. It wasn’t just a celebration of Black history during February—it was a vital opportunity to honor the culture, contributions, and experiences of the Black community. It gave students the chance to connect with their heritage in a tangible, meaningful way. By partnering with local entrepreneurs, cultural groups, and families, the event highlighted the importance of community involvement in nurturing a student's sense of identity and belonging.

Education Beyond the Classroom

In today’s diverse world, schools have a unique opportunity to expose students to a wide variety of perspectives, experiences, and histories. However, this can only be fully realized when the broader community is actively involved in the educational process. Paramount Schools of Excellence understands this well. By hosting an event like the Black Heritage Festival at the Brookside Community, just a short distance from its founding campus, it created a space where learning isn’t confined to textbooks or lectures. It’s about celebrating real culture, real people, and real history.

As Paramount made a concentrated effort to embed Black history into lessons and learning time throughout its campuses, this experience couldn’t be replicated through traditional classroom instruction alone. Students get excited about learning when it feels personal and meaningful to them. When they can connect with the material on an emotional level, it sticks. They start to take ownership of what they’re learning and gain a deeper appreciation for the richness of their cultural heritage. That’s the kind of experience every school should aim to create, especially in public schools in Indiana. It’s not just about teaching facts—it’s about making the learning relevant to who they are and where they come from.

Strengthening Connections Between Home, School, and Community

Education is at its most impactful when it is a shared responsibility. When parents, teachers, and community members work together, the support system around each student becomes stronger and more effective. Paramount’s Black Heritage Festival was a prime example of this collaboration in action. Local businesses, community organizations, and parents didn’t just attend the festival; they participated actively, creating an atmosphere of unity and celebration. From the Brookside mom who was the hype-man for every act that went on stage, to the emcee, Eric Saunders, making sure every child left the stage proudly saying the affirmation "I am amazing," the energy was infectious. Local businesses also contributed by donating items to raffles, where attendees had the chance to win everything from Nike dunks to Eastside Board Games. These donations added an extra layer of excitement and made everyone feel appreciated. It wasn’t just an event; it was a true community gathering where every participant—on the stage in or in the audience—felt celebrated and uplifted. It was a reminder that when we come together, we create something powerful.

This kind of involvement has profound effects on student success. When families and communities are involved in the educational process, students feel more supported both in and outside the classroom. They see that their education is a priority for everyone around them, which strengthens their own commitment to learning. The Black Heritage Festival is a reminder that learning is not just a transaction between a teacher and a student, but a communal endeavor where everyone plays a role. This is a powerful concept for public schools in Indiana, where creating a strong, supportive environment is crucial to helping students thrive.

A Model for Other Schools

The Black Heritage Festival wasn’t just another event on the school calendar—it was a powerful example of how schools can truly engage their communities to create a richer, more inclusive educational experience. When schools lean into the power of community, it not only gets more engaged students, but also more supportive families and a stronger, more united school culture. Education isn’t something that happens in a vacuum. It flourishes when schools actively bring their communities into the fold, fostering connections that go beyond the classroom. This kind of collaboration is what makes education thrive.

By coming alongside its community in such a meaningful way, Paramount Schools of Excellence is setting the bar for what it means to provide an education that is truly doing things differently. It’s about fostering an environment where students are not just educated, but celebrated. In the end, the Black Heritage Festival wasn’t just a nod to the past—it was a blueprint for the future of education. One where communities and schools are inextricably linked in the shared goal of helping students persevere and achieve academic success in a culture of excitement, inclusion, and community collaboration.