Brief History

In response to the outcry from parents in the City of Wilmington looking for a high-quality public education and increased access to arts education Christina Cultural Arts Centers leaders, parents and community supporters took action and were granted a DOE charter to create Kuumba Academy in 1999, forming the first school model in the state that partnered a public charter school with a non-profit community organization. 

The mission of Kuumba promotes parent involvement and academic competence while fostering each student’s sense of confidence.

The Model 

Christina Cultural Arts Center Inc. (CCAC) and Kuumba Academy Charter School form a unique non-profit/ public school partnership committed to educational excellence. Through the innovative union of academics, arts, technology and family engagement, each individual’s learning style is nurtured resulting in creative learners who are positive agents of change in the community.

Kuumba is a premier Vision 2015 Network School of choice , currently serving elementary students grades K-5.

Through the provision of culturally grounded public education with family engagement at the core,  the CCAC/Kuumba model demonstrates how  personal, educational, economic and social dividends  are produced in measurable ways.

Today Kuumba Academy students lead the pack statewide by excelling personally, academically and artistically.

The CCAC/Kuumba model is regarded by many as the single most significant achievement in the City of Wilmington’s post public school desegregation history.