According to a 2023 “Best States” study from U.S. News and World Report, the state of South Carolina ranks 42nd among all states in Education. Despite the relatively high four-year college graduation rate, the state faltered with reading and math scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress exam, low pre-school enrollment figures and low two-year college graduation rates.  Additionally, South Carolina students struggled to meet the college readiness benchmarks on the ACT exam.   The Education results may be due to other findings during the report that ranked South Carolina at 31st in “infrastructure” and 38th in “opportunity.”  The opportunity benchmark was measured on factors such as: housing affordability, gender equality and the poverty rate, which at 14.6%, is slightly higher than the U.S. average of 12.8%.

Due to the economic disparity of Beaufort County, many of its young residents cannot envision certain opportunities due to their living conditions.   They, like the newly freed individuals after the Battle of Port Royal, face uncertain times and wonder about their future. The African Americans who followed the Union army searching for opportunity were considered “destined to fail.”  They were perceived as inferior and incapable of successfully existing outside of the yoke of slavery. It was the desire to live the American dream that encouraged them and gave them the fortitude to create a path towards self-sufficiency. Once they were afforded the opportunity to create their community and chart their own course, they flourished and proved they were more than capable. . The Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park believes that the will and determination of the people who created Mitchelville can influence this generation’s youth to strive for greatness. HMFP understands that the themes of “citizenship,” “self-determination” and “opportunity” are just as powerful now as they were when Mitchelville residents obtained their first taste of freedom.   

Historic Mitchelville was the site of the first mandatory school system in the state of South Carolina.  Education is a cornerstone of the foundation of Mitchelville.  It is imperative that our organization places a high priority on our interactions with students and teachers.  We have created lesson plans written by teachers from the state, that are featured on our website.  The organization has three impactful educational programs geared toward K-12 that are making an impact in the Beaufort County area.  

• Griot’s Corner is a program tailored for K –through 3rd Grade students that uses storytellers and children’s activities to highlight freedom, acceptance, multiculturalism and citizenship. The “Griot” (ɡrēˈō,ˈɡrēō) is a West African storyteller, historian and/or musician. The griot’s role was to preserve the genealogies and oral traditions of their people. Griot’s Corner uses the spirit of storytelling to promote literacy and to help young students build strong character traits.
• The How’ell Do You Know Hilton Head History Hike is geared toward Middle School students and engages them in an immersive experience in the Mitchelville area that links appreciation of the environment to the important history that surrounds them. The program enhances curriculum and challenge current perspectives, through group learning and growing opportunities full of fun and educational, creative icebreakers, games and group initiatives.
• Modeling our Ancestors to Generate Influence and Change  (MAGIC) Youth Program utilizes HMFP’s mission, collections, programs, and partnerships to engage area high school students in a series of training experiences and internship opportunities that will help them develop into lifelong learners, productive citizens, and community leaders. Students who successfully complete the program will serve as Docents (tour guides) at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park.