EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2024 THE SCHOOL WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
EXPLORE JJ LEGACY
Mission
JJ Legacy School provides an excellent and equitable Montessori education in North Minneapolis to an intentionally diverse community of students.
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Vision
Our students will develop the character strengths, social and emotional skills, creativity, passion for learning and college-preparatory academic capabilities that will enable them to lead lives of joy and purpose.
Our History​
Committed to expanding Montessori school options to children living in urban areas, Ann Luce founded Bright Water Montessori Preschool in North Minneapolis in 2004. In 2007, the school expanded by opening a free, public elementary charter school, Bright Water Elementary. The school was refounded as Legacy of Dr. Josie R. Johnson Montessori School in 2020 to reflect a changing student and staff population.
JJ Legacy provides an education that honors the spirit and cultural experience of all of our legends.
Who We Are
JJ Legacy serves children Pre-Kindergarten in our free preschool program (must be at least three years of age), and students grades Kindergarten through sixth grade in our free public charter school in North Minneapolis with a mission to provide an excellent, equitable Montessori education to an intentionally diverse student body. The school is led by Tonicia Abdur Salaam, an educational social justice leader. She has created a foundational approach with an intense focus on a learning community broadened to include leveraging Montessori pedagogy in collaboration with evidence-based practices, specifically, Dr. Wade Nobles' world-renowned research and pedagogy, Nsaka SunSum (Touching the Spirit). This powerful pedagogy offers a full educational experience that honors the whole child in order to combat white supremacy in education.
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At JJ Legacy, we believe all children can be at the center of that important development, by finding their cultural and racial identity in education along with their purpose in the learning environment.
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Board of Directors
The JJ Legacy Board of Directors sets the policies for the school operations. The board is made up of parents, community members, leaders, and staff. Parents and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings.
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For more information, email: boardchair@jjlegacy.org.
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(612) 302-3410
2201 Girard Ave N. Minneapolis, MN 55411
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM