Writings, 1975-1994

The Marva Collins Papers consist of personal and professional papers generated throughout Collins’ career. The papers span from 1975 to 2008, the majority of which date from the 1970s-1980s. Contents center on Westside Preparatory School’s works, including Collins’ teaching materials, readings, publicity materials, and printed and published items, such as magazine articles, newspaper clippings, and newsletters, that cover the school’s impact and Collins’ methodology. There are audiovisual materials as well, with photographs from 1975-2005, and a taped interview from 1981.

The collection was donated in 2016 by Westside Preparatory School board member and friend of Marva Collins, Nancy Soukup. Soukup includes in the collection her correspondence with relevant school board members, donors, and other parties. In 2017, another donation was made by Soukup to include Soukup’s personal research materials that were to be used for a book, "Letters from Marva," that never went on to publication. These items, which include correspondence with Marva, such as letters, greeting cards, memos, and other Westside Preparatory School materials and media coverage are located within its own series.