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African Free School
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African Free School

educational institution
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The African Free School was established in 1787 by the New York Manumission Society. This institution provided free education to Black children, initially for about 40 boys and girls in a single room. The curriculum focused on reading, writing, and arithmetic, with additional instruction in subjects like cartography and navigation for boys, and needlework for girls.

The school expanded over time, with a larger second school opening in 1820 for 500 students, and by 1834, seven such schools were in operation. These schools received financial support from the New York state legislature. Notable graduates include actor Ira Aldridge and abolitionist Henry Highland Garnet. In 1834, the African Free Schools merged with the New York City Public School Society, contributing to the formation of the New York City public school system.1

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5 Britannica Sources
  1. New York Manumission Society
  2. African Americans - Free Black communities and abolitionism
  3. education - Education in British colonies and former colonies
  4. education - Education in French colonies and former colonies
  5. education - General influences and policies of the colonial powers

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