In K–8, we value our differences as well as our similarities. We acknowledge the differences among people around us—students, faculty and parents—and we celebrate them. Diversity enriches our School environment. We are committed to learning continually about the meaning of that diversity. That commitment brings a responsibility for steady attention to individuals' experiences, as well as to our curriculum, our admission work, and our day-to-day lives at School. Through many avenues, including open discussion, we partner with families to develop a community that strives to include everyone, and that builds upon its history.
We aspire to:
Explicitly develop respect for the many aspects of diversity, including race or ethnicity, socio-economic situations, religion, gender, national origins, family composition, sexual orientation, physical or psychological difference, and political affiliation.
Help children broaden their view of others and themselves by ensuring that they encounter mirrors of their own background and experience, as well as windows of difference.
Nurture a School culture that appreciates open-mindedness, and awareness of commonalities and differences
Model and teach respect in thought, word and action.
Enable students to experience, as well as understand and support the notion that "Everyone Is One of Us."
Encourage students to be active citizens of their School community and the broader community, questioning and countering various forms of prejudice.
K-8 action steps toward realizing our goals in 2010-2012:
- Each K–8 administrator participated in week-long leadership training for multicultural education during the summers of 2010 and 2011. Administrators enrolled in programs directed by agencies that are nationally recognized for their work in independent schools.
- Faculty and administrators highlighted and strengthened multicultural strands within the curriculum, across all Lower School and Middle School grades.
- K–8 created a Middle School cultural awareness group (CAFÉ) and a regular affinity group for students of color.
- K–8 faculty have participated in a year-long professional development program on diversity and building an inclusive School environment. Workshop included: family structure; racial identity formation over the K–8 years; and socio–economic range.
- Milton hosted more than 200 New England middle school students at the AISNE Students of Color Conference.
- Since 2010, more than 15 K–8 faculty have participated in week-long diversity training institutes for independent school educators.
- K–8 faculty created and led a K–8 Diversity Council, aimed at continuing the professional growth among our faculty.
- Each K–8 faculty member has formulated an action plan for enhancing multicultural practice in his or her classroom.
- Milton K–8 faculty have received professional development grants to explicitly broaden their curriculum content for inclusivity.
- The administration has created a senior K–8 leadership role for diversity and programs. We will identify this new leader for the 2012–2013 school year.
- The number of men and women of color on the K–8 faculty has notably increased, and we intend to continue this pattern.
- A group of enthusiastic K–8 parents hosts diversity dinners, and creates K–12 multicultural learning opportunities.
- The K–8 Admission Office broadened the awareness of Milton Academy's K–8 among Boston and suburban families, and increased the diversity of families within our School.
- Administrators, faculty and families have collaborated to connect families with same–sex parents.
