An underperforming school district in California is investing nearly $300,000 to collaborate with an organization to implement a rap-based curriculum, which has sparked “alarming” concerns, according to the Justice Department.
The Merced City School District, known for its low performance among California schools, has secured a $270,000 contract with School Yard Wrap, as noted in a report by the New York Post.
This partnership includes summer “rap camps” and “African-American affinity groups,” raising questions about its compliance with federal laws.
The curriculum features lessons in history, songwriting, DJing, and performance. The website for School Yard Wrap claims its approach transforms historical lessons into engaging narratives, fostering emotional connections through songs and stories.
Founded in 2016 and active in 28 states, School Yard Wrap aims to blend learning with music, exploring cultural themes through interactive modules.
Merced’s contract with School Yard Wrap amounts to $610,000, according to the Post. Fox News Digital reached out for further details from both the school district and School Yard Wrap.
The Justice Department expressed concerns over racially targeted programming. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon noted that providing benefits based solely on race is illegal and highlighted that they have yet to investigate these claims.
Brandon Brown, a former educator and founder of School Yard Wrap, defended the program, stating that the African American Affinity Camp concentrates on African American history and is accessible to all students in grades 3 through 8. He suggested that criticism may be politically motivated.
However, one of School Yard Wrap’s offerings, titled “More Than a Month,” contains lyrics inspired by hip-hop group Migos, discussing issues like white patriarchy. Lyrics express sentiments of being black and challenge biases found in educational materials.
The Merced City School District supports approximately 11,400 students, maintaining a student-to-teacher ratio of 25-to-1, according to Niche. Reports indicate that only 13% of students meet established proficiency benchmarks in mathematics.
Recently, the Justice Department has been investigating other districts for alleged race-based practices, including an inquiry launched in April 2025 into the Chicago Public Schools’ Black Student Success Plan.
