Our Story
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Sankofa Education Services (SES) began in 1990 as Alkebu-Lan Homeschool. Our Founder and Director, Ms. Maralene Ferguson Bates (aka Ms. Maatsaellah), wanted a nurturing place where children could learn in ways that fit their individual styles. She started by homeschooling her own children, along with those of friends and neighbors.
This small group grew into a community committed to alternative education, living the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In this environment, each child was valued as an individual, and parents participation was an integral part of their education.
In 2018, SES expanded to offer four services: Personalized Tutoring, Test Preparation, Homeschool Support, and Summer Bridge programs. We continue to meet the changing needs of students and families.
Since COVID-19, all our services are available online through Zoom.

Why “Sankofa”?

“Sankofa” is an Adinkra symbol from Ghana, showing a bird looking back over its shoulder. It means “go back and fetch it,” reminding us to learn from the past to guide our future. This idea is at the heart of what we do.