A proposed charter school in New York City is causing quite the conversation for its plans to offer a curriculum allowing children to freely explore their gender identity. The Miss Major Middle School, named for Miss Major Griffin-Gacy, a Black transgender activist, hopes to open its doors in the Prospect Park neighborhood in 2025. Prospective school leaders believe their vision of inclusion and equality can change the world, but opponents have strong opinions as to why they don’t want the school to ever open its doors.
The school's fate is still being determined as Miss Major Middle, styled as MMM, reportedly faces stiff competition as there are only nine charter spots available and numerous applications, per the New York Post. Nevertheless, MMM leadership is committed to making the world a more inclusive place.
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MMM hopes to create a ‘genderful’ school.
This middle school plans to be a place where students can be themselves and learn who they are without fear of judgment.
According to the school's website, "MMM lives at the intersection of gender, choice, liberation, joy and creativity. Our genderful students explore their gender, embrace their own identity, and decide how they will authentically walk through the world."
The school will focus on students beginning in fifth grade, and some critics believe that's too young to fully understand gender identity.
The educational model seems to scare a lot of adults.
Maud Maron, a former Democratic candidate for a Brooklyn congressional seat, loudly criticized the school to the New York Post.
"It's horrifying. No charter school that's aimed at gender ideology indoctrination should ever be approved for children this young. In the most charitable light, there might be people who think they're doing good. But this is a situation in which activists want to use and abuse children to promote their ideology," she said.
She believes the school will "encourage gender dysphoria, which she said can lead to "physical harm — to puberty blockers and surgeries, which are irreversibly damaging to children's bodies."
Others believe the school looks good on paper, but in reality, it is something much different.
Colin Wright, an evolutionary biologist and Manhattan Institute fellow, told the New York Post that the school is "sinister" at its core.
"If you're a parent who doesn't know much about gender ideology and you hear that a kid can be themselves, not judged, it looks so progressive and fantastic. It sounds really good," he told the New York Post. "These parents probably think the school is about just being yourself, free to be you and me, but it's absolutely not what's happening. They're saying you can't just be an effeminate boy and masculine girl. It's saying, 'If you're an effeminate boy, you're actually a girl,'" he explained.
He added that he thinks the parents who believe in this new type of school are more regressive than progressive. "It's all about stereotypes of what makes a boy a boy and a girl a girl," he said.
MMM has put together an impressive group of educators.
According to its website, "Our academic philosophy is one of total inclusivity where safer spaces lead to better outcomes for our kids." Teachers listed on the site have impressive academic accolades and bring together a wealth of education experience to this new school.
Executive Director Jill Glassbrook brings 18 years of experience as a teacher and educational leader.
"Jill has established an aspiring teaching Fellowship that supports 250+ teachers of Color throughout the boroughs of NYC, develops and facilitates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Professional Development workshops, and coaches and supports school leaders. Jill's expertise in curriculum design and dedication to making education accessible to all, especially historically marginalized communities, continues to inspire her work to develop sustainable and inclusive school environments," her bio reads.
The school's founders want all children to be accepted.
In a piece for Chalkbeat, Joji Florence, an MMM founder and nonbinary parent of three, said they have wanted to start a school like MMM for some time. Florence explained that they didn't invent the idea of a genderful school, but hope to adopt its best ideas at MMM.
"What will make our school unique is our commitment to centering genderful students and teachers, and creating a safer space to learn and grow. I believe Miss Major will also demonstrate the appeal of an inclusive, progressive educational environment for students who do not identify as LGBTQ+. All of our middle schoolers will be able to explore their gender, embrace their own identity, and decide how they will walk authentically through the world," they wrote.
According to the New York Post, applications for charters were due in early February, and decisions will be made by June.
