October 13, 2024

Exploring Independent Education at the Black Student Fund & Latino Student Fund Annual School Fair

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The BSF/LSF Annual School Fair is a forum for Washington metropolitan area families to learn about independent school education and to engage students, teachers, and administrators from more than 70 local and national independent schools and educational programs.

2023 School Fair Guide

2:00 PM

School Fair Begins

2:15 PM

Workshop Session I

3:15 PM

Workshop Session II

4:15 PM

Workshop Session III

5:00 PM

Doors Closed

Proudly Serving the Metro and Nearby Communities

Join us at the University of District of Columbia, centrally located in the heart of the Washington metropolitan area. Easily accessible from various communities, our venue ensures convenience for all attendees. We're thrilled to be a nexus where diverse communities converge to explore and celebrate independent education.

Van Ness-UDC
Metro Route

2024 School Fair Workshops

We invite parents, students, and educators to join us for a series of informative and enriching sessions designed to empower families in navigating the world of education. Our workshops cover a wide range of topics to cater to different interests and needs.

2:15 pm

Completing the Admissions and Financial Aid Process

Jewell Samuel, J.D. Founder/CEO of the Edukeys, a not for profit helping families access independent schools, will share advise and best practices on applying and seeking financial aid from the parent’s perspective.

3:15 pm

Black Montessori Education Room

Dr. Ayize Sabater, Founder and CEO of the Black Montessori Education Fund, will lead a discussion on Montessori education. What is the Montessori Method? The Montessori Method fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth for children and adolescents in all areas of their development—cognitive, emotional, social, and physical.

Five Tips For Finding the Right School for Your Child

Dr. Rona Frederick, Author of "Navigating School Selection 101: A Guide for African American Families", will share tips for how to identify schools that are the right fit for your child.

Navigating Mental Health for K-12 Children of Color

Psychologist Dr. Linda McGhee will provide insight and lessons on mental health issues facing children in post-Covid America. Black youth face a myriad of mental health risks exacerbated and exposed by Covid 19, police violence and traumatic political social climate of America. Join practitioner and educator Dr Linda McGhee in a conversation on mental health.

Financial Aid at Independent Schools

Frankie Brown of the Sidwell Friends School and Kevin Mills of Serving Our Children will discuss financial aid.

4:15 pm

The Dao of Selecting High School Extracurriculars

Everyone knows colleges like high school extra-curriculars. However, not all extracurriculars are equally attractive to all colleges. Our panel of college admissions specialists will use their expertise to discuss the four tiers of extra-curriculars, and how to discern the types of extra-curriculars that are attractive to the type of college your child might be interested in.

Black Girl Magic at All Girls' Schools

A panel of students from DMV area all girls’ schools will share perspectives on the experiences of girls at color at all girls’ schools.

Education and Money

Financial Professional Mark Baker will provide financing models and tips to help families finance K-12 and post-secondary education. Learn money strategies to use right now.

BSF and LSF United For Families

Our missions

Our mission is to advocate for academically motivated African-American and underserved students. The Black Student Fund provides advocacy, academic support, retention strategies, financial assistance, instruction, evaluations, feedback, and monitoring. We create a nurturing environment that fosters success from admission to graduation through our member school partnerships.

The Latino Student Fund aims to provide year-round, out-of-school-time programs that foster a robust academic foundation for underserved PreK-12th grade students and their families in low-income, at-risk communities. They also aim to promote higher education and nurture future professional leaders through holistic support.

Black Student Fund and Latino Student Fund Logos

Tips for Attending

Get the Most Out of Your School Fair Experience

Attending the School Fair is an exciting opportunity to explore various educational options for your child. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your visit

It is completely free!

Have a Plan

Create a list of schools to visit before the event. Prioritize two or three schools you definitely want to talk to, considering time and popularity.

Think of Significant Questions

Be honest and consider what types of questions your child might ask.

From Floor B to the First Floor

Our event will utilize spaces across the building’s ground floor and two upper floors (workshops). The ground level is Floor B, the middle level is floor A and the top floor is the First floor.