When Marquita McBride's three nephews come home from their summer program, they're excited to tell her about all the books they read that day.

Some local children are spending their summer gaining reading skills and cultural knowledge at Central Gulf Coast’s Freedom Schools.

The cafeteria of the Global Learning Academy was filled with the sounds of children clapping, dancing and jumping alongside teachers who made sure every child was seen and never left out.

In nearly every sector, the pandemic exacerbated extant challenges, and education is no exception.