Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

To achieve our mission of educating students “to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community,” our faculty is committed to healthy identity formation and intellectual development within each learner at Parker.

Within our classrooms, teachers intentionally foster identity development through robust curricula across all domains (e.g., athletics, arts, mathematics, reading, science, social studies, world language, social-emotional learning as well as diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and beyond). Teachers develop students’ academic skills while engaging them based on the interests, experiences, goals and needs of the class community, fostering empathy, communication and collaboration across similarities and differences.

Consistent with our Diversity Statement, specifically our commitment to “teach students about diversity…so they may learn to treat others with respect and kindness and challenge behaviors that oppress, exclude or demean,” we continually reevaluate our academic and advisory curricula so that students regularly see windows into different identities and cultures and mirrors of their own; meaningfully engage with others across differences (in thought, lived experience, etc.); and learn that the power to create a more just, inclusive and equitable society originates from the establishment of diverse communities where all members feel a deep sense of belonging.

Francis W. Parker School strives to uphold its mission to educate for character and citizenship by recognizing and respecting all members of the community in all areas of school life. Founded on the belief that diversity enriches learning and that a diverse community benefits everyone, the school is deliberately composed of a diverse group of people so that we may learn how to honor the dignity and experience of every human being.

Parker strives to create a safe and inclusive environment where students learn to have courageous conversations about differences in experiences, opinions, ideas, interests and identities that shape humanity. Parker also aims to cultivate a school community that teaches with sensitivity about differences including, but not limited to, race, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, political and social values, culture, gender identity, religion, physical ability and learning style.

At Francis W. Parker School, we believe, as part of a global world, we must teach students about diversity to strengthen their capacity to relate to one another so they may learn to treat others with respect and kindness and challenge behaviors that oppress, exclude or demean the humanity of others.

Parker’s commitment to diversity informs its approach to admissions and hiring; its support of financial assistance to families of varying socioeconomic means; and its belief in the importance of developing the school’s curriculum, community and culture in ways that connect our students’ experiences with our broader society and with the wider world.