Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) isn’t a separate program; it is woven into the fabric of our daily decision-making and interactions.

True inclusion and equity requires intentionality, education and restoration. Key’s ongoing process depends on curiosity, active listening, empathy, and courage from all community members.

Since our inception, Key School has intentionally opened its doors to families from all backgrounds and experiences, because when students and adults of diverse identities come together as a community, we develop an appreciation and respect for our commonalities and differences. We understand that educators have a unique responsibility and opportunity to advance equity in education locally and globally. Our work is guided by the NAIS Good Practice - Equity and Justice principles and the National Association of the Education of Young Children Equity Position and led by the Key Administrative team with input from all community members.

Vanessa Gutierrez

Director of Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, & Belonging
vgutierrez@keyschool.org

DEIB work is never done. It is a journey.

School Leadership commits to...

Create a culture and experience of equity, inclusion and belonging for every student, family and staff member spanning the range of identities and backgrounds in the Key community.
Respect, affirm and protect the dignity and worth of each community member.
Recruit and retain a diverse representation in our faculty and staff.
Create meaningful, ongoing opportunities for diverse voices and perspectives to engage in leadership and decision-making.
Incorporate DEIB into all aspects of school life, including but not limited to equitable policies, admission practices, curriculum, student and family engagement, communication, and hiring.
Take responsibility for biased actions and actively work to repair the harm, regardless if the actions were intended or unintended.

Faculty & Staff commit to...

Affirm the dignity and worth of each student and community member and create a learning environment that fosters respect, understanding and acceptance of differences.
Embed culturally competent practices into the curriculum and co-curricular activities.
Build awareness and understanding of culture, personal beliefs, values, and biases by engaging in ongoing professional development.

Students are expected to...

Treat their peers and all members of our community with kindness and respect, including using accurate language for human differences.
Consider how their behaviors impact others in our community, including those with different perspectives, identities and backgrounds.
Speak up (with others or alone) against prejudice and/or discriminatory actions, whether intentional or unintentional.
Actively participate in curriculum and co-curricular activities that advance and improve the School’s culture of inclusion and belonging for every student.

Families are expected to...

Treat fellow community members from differing backgrounds and identities with kindness and respect.
Support their students' participation in curriculum and co-curricular activities that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Co-create an inclusive and equitable community that respects and affirms each of its members and recognizes DEIB's benefits and power for students.

Key Affinity Groups

Affinity and alliance groups create a school environment that is responsive and supportive to community members across many social identities. Affinity groups—whether for students or families—serve those who share a specific identity in service of finding commonalities, differences, support, and connection. Alliance groups focus on a specific social identity, but are open to all invested in collaboration. Both serve an essential purpose to ensure a healthy and safe climate in a diverse school community.

Upper School Affinity Groups: Asian Affinity, Black Affinity, Latinx Affinity, Straight and Gay Alliance (SAGA), Women's Affinity

Middle School Affinity Groups: Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Black Girl Magic Affinity, Young Men of Color Affinity

Key Terms

Diversity

Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another.
It is all-inclusive and recognizes everyone and every group as part of the diversity that should be valued.
A broad definition includes not only race, ethnicity and gender—the groups that most often come to mind when the term "diversity" is used—but also age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. It also involves different ideas, perspectives and values.

Equity

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
Equity in education means giving each student access to the resources they need to learn and thrive.

Inclusion

Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities and decision/policy-making in a way that shares power.

Belonging

Inclusivity is the foundation of belonging. At Key we believe in the importance of creating spaces, policies, and practices that embrace diversity and eliminate biases.
Belonging is not merely a physical presence; it's a deep and intrinsic sense of being valued, accepted and included, regardless of one's background, identity or differences. This is a principle cornerstone of our community.
We are committed to fostering an environment where every individual, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, age, or any other dimension of diversity, feels a deep sense of belonging.

Inquire

Visit

Apply