DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES
Diverse perspectives and backgrounds strengthen our school culture, educational program, and community.
We embrace diversity, practice equity, commit to inclusion, and promote belonging.
These commitments are authentic, dynamic, and essential to our rigorous academic program, embedded social/emotional learning curriculum, and mission-driven school community for gifted learners.
| We align programs, policies, and procedures to these goals through annual self-examination, learning, and action. |
| OWS Diversity |
The school program and policy are governed by our Nondiscrimination Policy. Creating an inclusive environment where students and employees feel comfortable, safe, and free from inappropriate and disrespectful conduct is one of the School’s core values. OWS aims to create an exceptional educational experience for gifted students that capitalizes on our diverse community and equips students with the skills and mindsets to enable them to exercise leadership in the interconnected world they will inherit. |
| OWS Equity |
| We provide students with mission-appropriate resources that meet their academic, social/emotional, and identity-related needs. We commit to ongoing learning about and addressing biases and barriers which prevent access. |
| OWS Inclusion |
We commit to building a community where any individual or group can feel welcomed, respected, supported, valued. We ask the following questions when making decisions about school curriculum, program, policies, procedures, events, and activities. Is it kind (to the individual)? |
| OWS Belonging |
| We cultivate a school which prioritizes any individual or group being safe, seen, heard, and able to contribute as their authentic selves. |
We have a Diversity Leadership Council (DLC), a team of faculty and staff members who partner with the Head of School to advance the school's commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The council supports initiatives including onboarding and professional learning for faculty and staff, inclusive hiring practices, parent and guardian education, student programming, affinity group support, and ongoing review of school climate and belonging data. Through these efforts, the DLC helps create a community where individuals feel safe, seen, heard, and able to contribute as their authentic selves.
