Benjamin E. Mays to Become Afrocentric School by Fall 2026

Benjamin E. Mays school in Saint Paul is preparing for a major transition. Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is shifting the school’s focus from its current International Baccalaureate (IB) program to a new Afrocentric program scheduled to open in fall 2026.

The Board of Education first approved the transition on July 16, 2024. In April 2025, the Board voted again to adjust the timeline and open the program in 2026 in order to allow more time for planning and community engagement.

District leaders describe the change as an opportunity to provide St. Paul children with a school program that centers the African American experience, history, and culture.

Years of Advocacy from the African American Community

For the past five to seven years, members of the African American community in St. Paul have been in conversation with district leaders and the Board of Education about the need for a program that offers an Afrocentric experience for SPPS students.

In December 2023, a workgroup of more than twenty people began meeting to discuss the creation of this new program. The group has included school district staff, School Board members, principals, and leaders from the St. Paul African American community.

At that time, Benjamin E. Mays had not yet been selected as the site, so current families and staff were not part of the early meetings. The workgroup recommended Mays as the school location, and in July 2024 the Board approved that recommendation.

The workgroup began meeting again in fall 2024, this time with teacher and parent representatives invited to be part of the planning.

Why Benjamin E. Mays

Benjamin E. Mays was selected as the ideal school for the Afrocentric program for two main reasons. The school has a high percentage of African American students, sixty nine percent, and it is located in the historic Rondo neighborhood, a longtime center of Black life and culture in St. Paul.

The district views this new direction as a way to serve current students more intentionally and to honor the history of the neighborhood and the school’s namesake.

What the Afrocentric Program Will Offer

The Afrocentric program is being designed to honor and educate students about the African American experience, history, and culture while supporting strong academic outcomes in all subject areas.

Students will receive high quality instruction in reading, writing, math, science, and other core subjects. State standards will still be taught, with an Afrocentric perspective integrated into the curriculum.

The district’s stated goal is to increase educational outcomes and long term success for African American students and for all students who attend Benjamin E. Mays.

Enrollment and Student Access

All current Benjamin E. Mays families will be able to remain at the school when the Afrocentric program begins in fall 2026. They will not need to reapply for placement.

Enrollment will also be open to families from across St. Paul and from outside the city who are interested in the PreK through fifth grade program. Students who receive special education services, English Learners, and gifted and talented students are all welcome to apply.

Placement will follow the SPPS school placement criteria used for district magnet schools.

Next Steps

Throughout the 2024–25 school year and beyond, Benjamin E. Mays families and staff are being invited to participate in the planning process. The workgroup will continue meeting as the district develops curriculum details, family engagement plans, and other pieces of the new program.

SPPS leaders say they see this transition as a significant step for the district and for Benjamin E. Mays, with the goal of building a school that reflects African American history and culture while supporting strong academic achievement for every student who walks through its doors.