Giving Compass' Take:

• EdSurge discusses an initiative in Washington, D.C., designed to help young students of color expand creative boundaries and promote wellness in their community.

• What can we do to promote more K-12 programs geared toward minority students? Stanton Elementary School might be a good model for the rest of the country.

• Here's why this issue is so important: There's still a misperception on how Black students perform in school.

Over the past three years, a group of elementary school students from Southeast Washington, D.C., have been redefining what “high achieving” really means. Growing up in a neighborhood of the nation’s capital where success is far from guaranteed, these students are cultivating positive identities, strengthening their relationships with peers and adults and sharing their stories with the world in a variety of ways.

One group of students conducted interviews on the National Mall asking people to share their hopes for local youth and filmed a documentary on their findings with guidance from a team of teachers, school leaders and creative professionals. After receiving training on building a prototype and marketing, a second group developed, bottled and sold infused water called “Southside Water,” using the proceeds to pay for (and hand deliver) water to community members in need. A third group published a book of original poetry and photography, “The Peace King Storybook, Vol 1,” and a passionate fifth grader designed, organized and led a chess tournament called “Black Goes First” for his peers, teachers and community.

These students are all participants in The Creative School (formerly The Boys Institute) at Stanton Elementary School, an initiative designed to promote wellness and creativity — and to flip the narrative around young boys of color.

Read the full article about the elementary school wellness program that helps young males of color by Mikel Brand Oliver at EdSurge.