Why The Lakou Project?
Most schools, classes, and camps teach children how to follow the rules—at The Lakou Project, students are invited to break them.
In Haitian Kreyòl, lakou refers to a shared courtyard or communal living space where extended families or neighbors gather, share resources, and support one another. It also symbolizes home and belonging.
Formal education has traditionally been a process of imposing a preexisting curriculum on a child. At The Lakou Project, student input is valued, and lessons, activities, workshops and field trips are tailored to each student’s unique interests and goals. Empowering real world learning opportunities are incorporated into all aspects of the curriculum. Students are given the support and autonomy to become active participants in their own learning. They are able to deepen inquiry, social emotional learning, and leadership skills by participating in and having critical roles in planning art and history fairs, film festivals, plays, field trips, dances, and mutual aid opportunities.
By forming a community within a community and maintaining curiosity and academic autonomy, students maintain the spirit of lakou at every turn.
It is this mix of guidance and freedom that makes The Lakou Project different—and why students leave buzzing with ideas, friendships, support, and the courage to keep creating.
Meet Emilie
Hi! My name is Emilie Dupuy and I am an educator, writer, interdisciplinary artist and community organizer based in Minneapolis.
My father’s insatiable love of learning put me on the path that I am on today: traveling, learning languages together (Esperanto, anyone?), beekeeping, ice skating, baking and massive amounts of reading created experiences of freedom, creativity, critical thinking, and joy that became the heartbeat of the classes I would go on to teach.
Today, that vision and the same quest for joy and knowledge live on in my desire to create community, and educate, inspire and mentor a new generation. I help guide a variety of learners through hands-on discovery, bold ideas, and the kind of learning that only happens when you’re living out loud and surrounded by people who believe in you unequivocally.
I am passionate about a lot of things: exploring, art, film, food justice, nature, tinkering…and I use every opportunity to bring those things together to create an unforgettable learning experience for my students.
If I could spend all of my time sharing my love of learning, I would, but that’s not entirely possible, so in my down time, you’ll find me running, reading, serving on the board at Arts Nest (Phoenix Theatre; Cowles Center), sending memes, or spending time with my family.