How do we intentionally and sustainably create diverse, joyful, and connected school communities? Successfully expanding and further diversifying our schools cannot succeed solely through administrative and diversity director efforts. It is crucial for current families, faculty, and trustees to understand the prioritization necessary for an intentional diversification outreach. These collaborative efforts are best accomplished by emphasizing an institutional awareness of the most pressing social justice initiatives of our time. Members of our school communities must hold a deeper awareness of the barriers preventing a more diverse school body in independent schools—particularly small, progressive schools. The most successful efforts will include all school constituents acting as partners in spreading the news about our schools, missions, and commitments to diverse school bodies. Creating educational programming and opportunities for connection and open discourse among all members of school communities are key to this endeavor.

Carney Heavey O'Brien, Roberts Field School (NY)

Khahtee Turner, Roberts Field School (NY)

Martha Haakmat, Haakmat Consulting, LLC (NY)