LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Class is in session at W.E.B. DuBois Academy, for boys only, at the new school. The student body is made up of 157 males, mostly minority. School leaders like Principal Robert Gunn say the mission of the new school is partly about changing the "narrative" on young minority students.

• W.E.B. DuBois Academy is a new school for 157 sixth grade boys, mostly made-up of minority students.
• School leaders say the school's goal include improving student academic performance and changing a "narrative" of expectations on the students.
• The school will expand to seventh grade next year, and will eventually teach students in sixth through eighth grade. 

Thursday morning's school day opened with students in assembly, standing to give speeches of thanks to eachother and to staff at W.E.B. DuBois Academy. At the end of each speech, thunderous applause filled the cafeteria where the assembly took place. Students and staff were recognized by name; it's part of "showing love" Principal Robert Gunn says is important for his students to display openly. He admits sixth grade wasn't his best year in school. 

"They know my story," Gunn explains. "One of the first things that I showed them was my sixth grade report card, and I shared with parents earlier, that was one of the worst years of my life. I just want to be a reminder to [students] every day that the man in front of them is not perfect." It's Gunn's wish to be a model for students, for the boys to believe, "'he's working to do everything he can' to make sure that they're better than me."

The acdemy for male-only sixth graders is made-up of mostly minority students. Principal Gunn claims there are statistics that indicate poor academic performance in rising sixth graders, and lack of a sense in belonging in school. This is why he wants a goal of W.E.B. DuBois Academy to be academic improvement. Gunn adds to that his belief that there's a narrative that should change, in that African American males should strive for success mostly as athletes or rappers.

"Naturally, and no one asked me this from the district's standpoint, but I thought it was brilliant to start at sixth grade," Gunn said.

After hugs, high-fives, fist bumps, and words of encouragement, a team of two sixth graders broke off from the morning assembly to give guests a tour of their building. "Young Lion" Marcellous Malone was one of the tour guides. On his list of favorite things about his new school, there's a top two: no girls allowed, uniforms required. 

"Like last year, there would be people in my class who would focus on girls more than they would on their work, so it will be easier for me to focus on my work than it would for me to be in a school with boys or girls," Malone said. 

Malone and his peer tour guide told stories of smaller class size, increased teacher attention, and spoke of how important they feel and proud they are that staff require them to care about their appearance.

"We get to look presentable for other people that come in like the tour I just did," Malone explained, as he gestured to his coat and tie.

Perhaps the most poignant perspective is from parent Cicely Chandler Young. Her son, Jameson, attends the academy. 

"On December 29, 2012, his father was a victim of gun violence in West Louisville. I wanted him to be able to experience, to have a foundation of excellence throughout his education," Young said. She will keep her son here as long as she can, Young added. 

The sixth grade class is set to stay on next year, since the academy will be expanding to teach them seventh grade. There will not be new seventh grade students, but only a new sixth grade class. That pattern will repeat the following year to expand and house eighth grade. Eventually, Gunn is hoping there can be high school at W.E.B. DuBois, too. 

However, school staff are uncertain of where they will hold classes next year. They're searching for a new home, since they will outgrow the current building. To learn more on the school, read the creed here.