Our integrated African Centered Education curriculum is firmly planted within the concept of African Rites of Passage. The primary goal is to facilitate our children’s knowledge and understanding of self – who they are and what they are about – the purpose and meaning for their existence as they progress through life. The goal then is to provide African-American students with the tools and skills with which to minimize the forces that seek to destroy them but at the same time, allow them to achieve self-respect, self-discipline, physical, academic, mental, and emotional success based on the principles of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba. Coupled with the Ma’atian virtues, the focus of values includes Responsibility, Decision-Making, Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution. Although it's instilled in every student in every grade, our 8th grade students participate in an in-depth class throughout the school year. We then culminate the teachings with a Rites of Passage Ceremony.

Rooted in the music and dance of Africa, our African Drum & Dance programs are designed to educate and empower.  We love African drumming and dancing, as it promotes cultural diversity and confidence through self-expression. We know that this music and dance has the capacity to transform every child’s life.

Each month, Garvey teachers choose one student from their classroom to be the Student of the Month representative.  Students are chosen based on various characteristics or actions that make them candidates. Students are recognized during Harambee and receive special gifts for their hard earned work.

Detroit Public Schools Community District is proud to sponsor the Metro Detroit Scholastic Chess League (City League) which features Elementary, Middle and High School teams from the Detroit area. Teams compete to see who the top chess teams in the city. Marcus Garvey Academy is home to an active, critical thinking, tournament winning chess team. 

The Heidelberg Arts Leadership Academy (HALA) is a free in-school or after-school arts education program designed to empower students in grades 4 through 12 with the tools they need to become active change agents in their community.

Pretty Brown Girl is one of the fastest growing girls movements in the country, focused on the well-being of girls of color. Pretty Brown Girl’s mission is to educate and empower Black and Brown girls by encouraging self-acceptance while cultivating social, emotional & intellectual well-being through our enrichment programs

LitClub is an in-depth literacy and empowerment program run once a week after school in small groups. LitClub members and their mentors come together in each session to share stories, build community, and develop as resilient changemakers and leaders.

Girl Scouts unleashes the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) in every girl, preparing her for a lifetime of leadership—from taking a night-time hike under the stars to accepting a mission on the International Space Station; from lobbying the city council with her troop to holding a seat in Congress; from running her own cookie business today to tackling cybersecurity tomorrow.