Lillie May Carroll Jackson Charter School (LMCJ) showcased the brilliance, confidence, and civic leadership of its scholars during its FallCelebration of Learning, held Friday, November 7, 2025. The event marked the culmination of the school’s humanities-based expeditions — interdisciplinary projects that ask scholars to investigate meaningful questions, practice leadership, and present publicly to their community.

The school’s work is rooted in the legacy of its namesake,Dr. Lillie May Carroll Jackson, a towering figure in Baltimore’s civil rights history. Known nationally as the “Mother of Freedom,” Jackson led the Baltimore NAACP for more than 30 years, helping pioneer the organization’s national legal strategy to dismantle segregation. Her leadership played a pivotal role in increasing Black voter registration, advancing school desegregation, and building a generation of civic advocates across Maryland. LMCJ carries her name as both a tribute and a charge: to develop young women who lead with clarity, justice, and purpose.

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For CEODr. Kristina Kyles-Smith, the Celebration of Learning embodies that mission.

“Our Celebration of Learning is where our scholars show what they’ve been working toward over a 4–6 week period, not just as students, but as developing leaders,” she said. “We honor Dr. Jackson’s legacy by ensuring our students develop the same tools: voice, vision, and purpose.”

Each grade level presented a project grounded in civic identity, social impact, and interdisciplinary learning:

The presentations were rich with creativity and poise — but also with practice. As Dr. Kyles-Smith noted, “Each of these wasn’t just creative — it was practiced. Our students rehearse, refine, and reflect, because we believe excellence takes work. And we expect our girls to rise to the occasion — and they are learning that too.”

Throughout the day, several moments demonstrated the depth of the work and the maturity of the young presenters.

Dr. Kyles-Smith recalled:

“These are the moments where you see not just talent, but transformation,” she said.

The school’s expeditionary model rotates focus by season — humanities in the fall, arts in the winter, and science in the spring — all intentionally blended with math, writing, social studies, and creative expression.

“In the fall, our expeditions center the humanities. That’s intentional,” Dr. Kyles-Smith explained. “We want our girls to build their voice and their understanding of the world through reading, writing, history, and the arts.”

This approach, she added, builds academic confidence while helping students understand their place in the world. “Our girls aren’t just memorizing content — they’re applying it. They don’t just ask, ‘What do I need to know?’ — they ask, ‘Why does this matter to my community?’”

The Celebration of Learning is not only a school event — it is a community moment.

“Our community are co-teachers in the work,” Dr. Kyles-Smith said. Local experts lead expeditions, judge presentations, and offer guidance. Families show up in full support.

“There’s nothing like a student looking up from their final presentation and seeing a familiar face,” she said. “It reinforces that learning is public, valued, and collective. It tells them, ‘You matter, and we’re watching.’”

Above all, LMCJ sees these expeditions as the training ground for leadership.

“My joy is that students leave LMCJ understanding their power — both personal and collective,” said Dr. Kyles-Smith. “We hope to continue to grow in pushing our scholars to know how to conduct research, advocate with clarity, and work toward justice.”

The work, she emphasizes, is both academic and personal. “This kind of learning gives them academic skills and it builds social capital. It connects them to professionals, mentors, and neighbors who see their potential. It gives them practice in public thinking and public sharing. And that, more than anything, prepares them to lead in whatever space they choose next.”

As the final presentations wrapped and families embraced their scholars, one thing was clear: at Lillie May Carroll Jackson Charter School, girls are not only learning — they are preparing to change the world.