Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Children walk to school with signs for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Episcopal Day is committed to building and sustaining an inclusive community, which represents diverse backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs. We embrace the qualities of each individual. This includes but is not limited to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, socio-economic status, learning styles, abilities, and varied points of view. We are dedicated to building an environment where students learn from each other because we believe our mission of academic excellence and positive change in the world depends on understanding and respecting human diversity.

Cheryl Adenekan

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity Initiatives

Strategic Plan

Organizational Assessment

Assessment of inclusivity and multiculturalism

Our school has committed to completing the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) every three to five years. This assessment provides us with a deep understanding of the climate of inclusion on our campus, and informs how we advance initiatives toward diversity, equity, and inclusion that are crucial to our school’s success.

Faculty & Staff Professional Development & Personal Growth

SEED

The National SEED Project is a peer-led professional development program that creates conversational communities to drive personal, organizational, and societal change toward greater equity and diversity. We do this by training individuals to facilitate ongoing seminars within institutions and communities where they are employees or members, in order to create momentum toward social justice. SEED leaders design seminars to include personal reflection and testimony, listening to others' voices, and learning experientially and collectively. Through this methodology, SEED equips us to connect our lives to one another and to society at large by acknowledging systems of oppression, power, and privilege. Our faculty/staff SEED group is starting its 7th year, and our parent community has completed their second year.

Just Cause

The issues explored throughout the Just Cause interactive diversity program led to discussion about how we each view diversity topics in today’s society and in our own lives.

Gender Spectrum

By providing the Gender Spectrum training for our faculty and staff, we show our commitment to the celebration of all people. We are committed to creating gender-sensitive and inclusive environments for all children at our school.

School Programming

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

We care about the people our students will become. From pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, Episcopal Day’s core values of moral courage, service, respect, and compassion are woven into the fabric of our program. We are committed to the social and emotional health and well-being of each of our students. Learn more about our SEL program.

Learning for Justice Standards

Implemented in the middle school Leadership and Social Justice class, the Social Justice Standards act as a framework for anti-bias education. This framework provides a common language and organizational structure educators can use to guide curriculum development to make schools more just and equitable.

Pollyanna Curriculum

Pollyanna is a DEI curriculum designed to enhance cultural competency, racial literacy, and equity practices. We implement this program through our Service Learning Projects that vary according to grade level.

Inclusive Chapel Services

At Episcopal Day, fewer than 15% of the students are Episcopalian. Our student body is comprised of students representing various religious backgrounds, including but not limited to Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, interfaith families, and those with no particular faith tradition. Various traditions are honored at our school through themed Chapel celebrations including Bodhi Day and the Lunar New Year.

Social Justice Club

Our middle school Social Justice Club leads initiatives on campus including raising money for vulnerable groups including the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2022, students raised over $800 by hosting a school dance and used they money to create care packages for homeless youth.

School Events

DEI Highlights Week

DEI Highlights Week is a weeklong celebration to showcase student work and highlight how we weave teachings of diversity, equity, and inclusion into our curriculum. Highlights include panel interviews about identity, a virtual museum of classroom and artwork that celebrates diversity, and more.

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Each year Episcopal Day students, faculty, and staff participate in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day honoring the civil rights movement and civil rights icon Ruby Bridges. Students met at Central Park to walk to school, accompanied by faculty and staff.

Resources & Opportunities

Conferences

The NAIS People of Color Conference is the flagship of the National Association of Independent Schools' commitment to equity and justice in teaching, learning, and organizational development. The mission of the conference is to provide a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.

The White Privilege Conference provides a challenging, collaborative and comprehensive experience. We strive to empower and equip individuals to work for equity and justice through self and social transformations.

POCIS Member School (People of Color in Independent Schools of Northern California)

People of Color In Independent Schools of Northern California supports the academic achievement, professional development and advancement, self-determination, and well-being of students, families, and adults of color in PK-12 Bay Area schools.

Other Resources

CATDC (California Teachers Development Collaborative)

The mission of the CATDC is similar to our own, and we are proud to be in partnership to:

Promote opportunities for development and professional growth
Support collaboration between educators and schools
Inspire teachers to become leaders

Uniquely Episcopal

Students develop an appreciation for themselves and others.

Mission and Philosophy

We are an inclusive community.

Our Traditions

The things we remember most about our school days are the friendships, traditions, events, and celebrations.