An Overnight Solution

By Carole Boston Weatherford

About a dozen buildings in various stages of disrepair and restoration remain on the Sedalia, N.C., campus of Palmer Memorial Institute, an African-American prep school that educated more than 1,000 junior and senior high school students from 1902 to 1971. Founded by Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Palmer is the first North Carolina historic site honoring an African-American or a woman. Unlike most other turn-of-the-century Jim Crow schools, Palmer offered a holistic college-preparatory education blending academics, character development, and social graces. The school's tradition of excellence ended after a 1970 fire destroyed the Palmer Building, the jewel of the campus. Weeds now grow in cracked concrete along shaded walkways that led from dormitories to classrooms. But lessons may yet rise from the ashes of Palmer, which was in its heyday an oasis of learning.

Educators have long known the importance of climate in fostering learning. School districts across the country are working to improve school climate. Unfortunately, home climate is, for the most part, beyond the schools' control. Teachers face an uphill battle in helping students from troubled homes.

Confined by socioeconomic conditions, too many urban youths devalue intellect, dismiss opportunity, give in to negative pressures, and engage in risky behaviors that consign them to the underclass, or worse, the justice system. Unfortunately, the factors that contribute to poor performance among disadvantaged minority students—lack of family involvement, cultural differences, low expectations, homogeneous classroom groupings, and poor command of the English language—often...