Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
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Our Commitment to Racial Equity and Social Justice
At Poly Prep, we believe that anti-racism is an essential component and pre-condition of academic excellence. A healthy multiracial democracy requires learning to honor the widest range of diverse voices and demands that we train all of our students to think critically about systems of power so that they can fulfill their responsibility to engage in purposeful progressive change. Since systemic racism has denied generations of Americans equal access and opportunity, dismantling it is imperative in order to realize every student’s full potential. Uninterrupted racial inequity denies our students the opportunities they deserve; racial justice will help each of them grow, excel, and boldly march into a world sorely in need of their knowledge, commitment, and passion.
“I couldn’t imagine not being a part of this organization’s growth or not having found this community of brilliant Black students coming together to push for change.”- Kadyn Liburd '21 (on Black Students Demanding Change)
Dismantling Racism Requires Education
From Nursery to Grade 12, inclusion and equity are woven through our curricula and across our academic, arts, and athletics programs. In addition to explicitly addressing historical and current systems of oppression and racism, we center our student voices and support restorative justice approaches to discipline. Our unwavering goal is to foster students’ commitment to open inquiry in order to empower them to participate in the work of making foundational changes across school culture, norms, and policies, as well as in their communities and the world beyond our campuses.
Affirming Our Identities
At Poly, we understand that diversity is multifaceted and that the ways our identities intersect define our many experiences. We are committed to ensuring that our community is LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming so that our students feel fully supported in bringing their authentic selves to school.
Your story is our story. Your perspective informs our perspective. We work and learn together to open young minds to endless possibilities. At Poly, there’s a seat at our table for everyone and no ceiling for our individual and collective aspirations.
16
Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED) faculty members from all three divisions
30+
Hours Per Person of Professional DEI Training in 2020-21
16
Student and Parent Alliance and Affinity Groups
Centering the Student Voice
Poly is committed to creating safe spaces for students for open inquiry, free expression, and constructive dissent. To uplift student voices and center the experiences of people of color, Poly offers community forums where students and faculty gather to discuss issues of the day as well as affinity spaces for students and families. We also work closely with the Poly chapter of Black Students Demanding Change to foster anti-racist norms and practices, and to continually educate our community about the importance of anti-racism to the achievement of educational excellence and success.
Community Forums
When students and faculty gather for a community forum on a variety of topics, from elections to social justice, it is often the student leaders who drive the conversation. In normal times, the library is full and the discussion is respectful, but honest. Our forums also offer opportunities for students to ask faculty and administrators pointed questions. But the conversation takes place in a safe space, without judgment; together, we work toward building a stronger, more equitable community.
“Accepting the historical truth and current realities of systemic racism is the only path forward. Once we do that, together, we can build a school and society worthy of our highest ideals.”- ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL, ACADEMICS MICHAL HERSHKOVITZ P’16, ’18
We Congregate.
An affinity group is a space for individuals who share an identity. These spaces allow students and adults (including faculty, staff, and parents) to discuss issues related to their shared identity and potentially transfer that discussion into action that makes for a more equitable experience at school. Affinity spaces are ever-evolving and growing, and they are a vital part of programming that helps to inform policy and procedures at Poly. An alliance group has the same mission, but is also open to individuals who do not share a particular identity but consider themselves allies. Find lists of student affinity and alliance groups, clubs, and activities in Middle School and Upper School.
Parent Groups: Freedom from Bias, HUGs
❖ Asian and Pacific Islander Parents (API)
❖ Black and Latine Parents
❖ LGBTQ Parents
❖ Jewish Families
“After the murder of George Floyd, HUGs API felt it was critical that we show our support to the Black community at Poly.”- Nancy Bulalacao P’33, HUGs API co-founder