Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

At North Shore Country Day, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to the fulfillment of our mission, to the achievement of educational excellence and to the creation of a better world.

Program Mission Statement

At NSCD, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to the fulfillment of our mission, to the achievement of educational excellence, and to the creation of a better world. We are committed to building a community that is diverse in terms of race, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and economic background. Diversity, though, is about more than just numbers. Therefore, we also strive to create an inclusive community where all people are treated with respect and dignity, where multiple perspectives and experiences are welcome, and where students from all cultures and backgrounds can succeed. North Shore engages its community members in working to develop cultural competencies that allow us to communicate and interact effectively across cultures. Both inside and outside of the classroom, learning from and coming to understand differences and commonalities enrich us and empower us with skills for living in a diverse, 21st-century world. Grappling with the complex issues of this world enables us to explore the roles, rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society and to examine a range of ways in which to participate in developing a more just and equitable society. We invite all members of the community to join us in this continuous learning journey.

Program Overview By Division

Lower School

The lower school Kaleidoscope curriculum is informed by our five community values: kindness, inclusion, compassion, integrity and respect. Working from this foundation, throughout the school year, students engage in learning that explores: community, identity, justice, activism and action. Lessons are structured to be age appropriate, meaningful, engaging and aligned with our school’s mission. The Kaleidoscope curriculum explores topics including family, ability, culture, ethnicity, race and gender, in a manner that reflects and holds space for all members of our community.

Middle School

The middle school Learning Circles program develops student’s understanding of themselves, each other, and their world while fostering their skills in communication, critical thinking, and empathy. Middle school is the time in a child’s development when students begin a deeper exploration of the question “Who am I?” and these questions of identity are at the heart of the adolescent experience. The Learning Circles curriculum seeks to help students develop a common language of explore the rich diversity of identities, build bridges of understanding across differences, and feel empowered to work towards justice in their communities. Student also build community through identity-based affinity and interest groups, all in of which are proposed by students and incorporate student input.

Upper School

To extend upper school students’ conversations and education on how identity, diversity, equity, and inclusion intersect in the world and impact current events, students engage in conversations on topics that are of interest to them led by student Commons Ambassadors. The Commons Ambassadors program is grounded in a mindset that fosters critical thinking and provides the students the opportunity to become shareholders and facilitate conversations in service of our community. Student ambassadors work alongside the EDI Department Team and key faculty members throughout the year to learn to plan and facilitate discussions and manage conflict if it arises. They facilitate spaces for common ground to form around issues, concerns and pressing topics, and work with student affinity group leaders and faculty members to plan an implement one of the MS/US Xdays. Students choose into general topics they would like to discuss (immigration, gun control, education, women’s reproductive rights, religion, social media and indemnity, etc.) and work with their student Commons Ambassador to focus on particular topics on interest. Beyond these mixed grade groups, students also have the opportunity to meet in affinity groups. Some of the current affinity groups include: Black Student Union, Latinx Affinity Group, Asian American Pacific Islander Group, Jewish Affinity Group, Muslim Affinity Group, LGTBQ+ Affinity Group.

Faculty & Staff

We believe that having a diverse and culturally competent faculty and staff guiding and developing our students is essential to the fulfillment of our mission, to the achievement of educational excellence, and the creation of a better world. Therefore, we continue to grow the diversity and dimension of our faculty and staff and support their growth through professional development programming. In doing so, we ensure that all of our students engage with a curriculum that provides both windows into different experiences and mirrors for all students.

EDI Representatives

A dedicated group of faculty representatives from lower, middle, and upper school meet throughout the academic year, discussing issues of equity and justice. The council spearheads the community's vital work by hosting informative speakers, facilitating engaging faculty readings and discussions, and thoughtfully coordinating work with students across their respective divisions. EDI Divisional Coordinators: Louis Mercer, Winder Holman and Christine Ritchey. EDI Council: Carin Peacock, Janet Lord, Ann Goodrich, Graham Rosby, and Becky Corrigan.

Themes

Each year, the council chooses a theme to implement schoolwide.

2021-2022 - Taking Action Together

Taking Action Together

After a year that, though filled with many successes, left us at times isolated and fragmented, we can now come back together in spirit and purpose, physically present with each other. This presents us with a special opportunity to unite together in action. Positive and lasting change requires sustained and collective action over time, and together we will use this year to learn, grow, act, disrupt and move our community forward to uplift our values and set a clear example of what it means to "Live and Serve."

2020-2021 - Powerful Disruptors

Powerful Disruptors
A powerful disruptor uses their voice, their passion, their resources and their time to disrupt systems of injustice, and promote a more equitable, democratic and peaceful world. Within each of us resides the capacity to be an agent for positive change, so being a powerful disruptor can take many forms and can be the work of one person, or as more often the case, the cumulative efforts of many people working together. We each have a responsibility to make our community, and world, a more just and inclusive place.

2019-2020 - Learning To Listen. Listening to Learn.

Learning To Listen. Listening to Learn.
In order to grow and be thoughtful citizens of our community, we need to listen to and engage with viewpoints different from our own and learn to view events and ideas through a variety of lenses. The best way to do this is to listen not simply to respond but to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s experiences. This requires effort, an open mind and practice. Deeper listening helps us to develop empathy for each other.