About

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Why focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Diversity in independent schools is an investment in a future where students are prepared to succeed in a diverse and changing world.

Studies show that organizations do much better when there is a culture of differences. Bringing together different personalities, beliefs, and experiences can help foster creativity and offer a range of perspectives and ideas.

This growth begins during a child’s K-8 education, when students can be supported and influenced as they develop into empathic, innovative problem solvers and passionate, purposeful global citizens.

Diversity Strategic Plan 2021-2024

Approved by the Board of Trustees June 2020

  • Challenges and Barriers

    Seek to identify and address challenges and barriers (which may include fear, privilege, and lack of engagement) that the school faces in achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

  • Socioeconomic Diversity

    Work effectively with the individual differences of groups with varying socioeconomic backgrounds and further focus on attracting and supporting socioeconomically diverse families.

  • Hire and Retain Diverse Staff

    Develop and implement strategies to recruit and retain a diverse faculty and staff.

  • Diverse Enrollment

    Develop and implement strategies to recruit, retain, and support diverse enrollment. This includes the existing identifying groups; age, ability/disability, ethnicity, family makeup, gender, linguistic difference, race, religion, sexual orientation, and those groups who have been historically underrepresented (Black, Latinx, and Native American), in independent schools and gifted programs.

  • Cultural Awareness and Multiculturalism

    For the benefit of the whole community, continue to develop a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment by building cultural awareness and integrating multiculturalism into the curriculum and the school day.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

Open Window School strives to admit and serve gifted students and their families who are representative of the diversity within the geographic area from which we can draw students. This includes families who have been traditionally under-represented in independent schools and gifted education programs.

Open Window School recognizes that diverse perspectives and backgrounds strengthen our school culture, educational program, and community. We are guided by the values of inclusivity and respect for others, which lead to richer interactions and broader understanding for all members of our community. Authentic learning occurs best in an environment that includes interactions with others who bring a diverse array of experiences and perspectives to the school. The exploration of these differences and exchange of perspectives in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment strengthens both academic and social-emotional learning and develops thoughtful and compassionate individuals.

We embrace both our commonalities and the complex range of differences that enrich our community. In accordance with its Diversity Commitment, Open Window welcomes families of all backgrounds to participate fully and equitably in the school community.

Diversity in Action

List of 5 items.

  • 2022-2023 Virtual Equity and Inclusion Speaker Series

    The Virtual Equity and Inclusion Speaker Series is a collaboration of over 25 local area Independent Schools offering our communities and beyond the opportunity to connect, learn, and engage in topics in equity, inclusion, and antiracist education and action. 

  • Community Book Reads

    Ain’t Burned All The Bright by Jason Reynolds, artwork by Jason Griffin
    The Making of Asian America, a History     by Erika Lee
    So you Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
    Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
    This is How it Always Is     by Laurie Frankel
    How To Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi

     

  • Staff BIPOC Affinity Group

    Staff who identify as BIPOC meet monthly, within the school hours. This space is dedicated to foster the success and belonging of all our staff who identify as a person of color.

  • Student Groups

    Middle school students gather for community lunches.
    • Gender and Sexuality Alliance
    • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

    This Board Level Committee, supported by the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, studies and recommends strategies, policies, and practices that further the school's Diversity Commitment.

Our Diversity Commitment

At Open Window School, in furtherance of our mission and core values, we embrace both our commonalities and the complex range of differences that enrich our school. We are committed to building a community guided by the following questions:
 
Is it welcoming?
Is it inclusive?
Is it respectful?
Open Window parent/ guardians have identified the primary race of their child as follows:

40% Asian
1% Black/African American
5% Latino/Hispanic*
4% Middle Eastern
32% White
17% Two or more races
6% Choose not to identify

* Students who identify their ethnicity as Latino/Hispanic are also included in their self-identified race category above. 

Open Window School

6128 168th Place SE,
Bellevue, WA 98006
Phone: 425.747.2911
Email: ows@ows.org
Open Window School provides a challenging academic curriculum blended with nurturing support from teachers that prepares students for long-term success.
©2018 Open Window School. All Rights Reserved.