Diversity Spotlights sample our ongoing diversity work across all grades and subjects
Diversity
Central to the Redwood Day School mission is our goal of promoting and better understanding diversity. This is accomplished at the classroom level, in professional development, in admission and hiring practices, and through the Parents’ and Guardians' Association.
- 40% of students enrolled for the 2012-13 school year self-identify as students of color.
- Currently, 38% of faculty and staff identify as people of color.
- An identity group in Lower School and a Middle School diversity club deepen student understanding of diversity.
- Our Diversity Strategic Plan charts our course for deepening our diversity work even further.
- RDS maintains membership with Bay Area POCIS (People of Color in Independent Schools) and the National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity). Faculty and staff partipate in an active SEED group on campus.
- Members of our faculty and staff regularly participate in the NAIS/POCC (People of Color Conference) and the NAIS Summer Diversity Institute.
- Teacher in-services regularly include diversity awareness training.
Our mission statement captures the importance of diversity at RDS in three words: “diverse, inclusive community.” We want our community members to develop the habit of trying on others’ worldview, whether in a discussion of US history or during a playground interaction. The result of these interactions is a respect for and an appreciation of difference of all kinds.
Our Diversity Spotlights present samples of our ongoing diversity work at all grade levels and subjects, whether infused into curriculum or arising from teachable moments. In Lower School, teachers regularly feature discussions of family histories and family composition, as well as celebrating a diverse range of traditions. Day-to-day learning always includes a multicultural perspective. Our Middle School humanities program was developed with an eye to exposure to a variety of world cultures, religions, perspectives, and the nuanced relationship between the powerful and the powerless throughout history.
Our admissions process seeks to enroll a student body that represents our larger community: racially, ethnically, economically, religiously, in addition to a range of abilities, talents, and family compositions. As adults, we strive to be role models who represent a wide range of ethnic diversity, backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender balance. We also provide a balance of diverse role models through guest speakers and featured presenters at weekly all-school assemblies. We are fortunate to have an active parent and guardian diversity committee, Prism, that works to enhance diverse perspectives and understanding within the RDS community.