2022–23 DEIB Report

By the Office of Diversity Planning

This year as we continued our focus and commitment to Country Day’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Strategic Plan, our community witnessed and engaged in numerous opportunities to strengthen inclusion and belonging. From the intentional and organic lessons woven throughout our curriculum to uphold our commitment to our Affirmation of Community and opportunities for student fellowship through our affinity group programs, to the large-scale planned events including the two-part visit to Ghana and the ACT Middle School Diversity Conference led by student leaders, the Diversity Planning Office is humble and proud to partner with all our community members to ensure that everyone at Country Day has a sense of belonging and inclusion.

19% Faculty/staff of color

38 Seniors of color celebrated by POCIS at the Upper School Showcase

1,500+ Hours of DEIB professional development for faculty and staff across the school

6 Nationally acclaimed diversity guest author visits

22 Student affinity groups supporting students grades 1-12

66 Student participants from six local schools in the ACT Middle School Diversity Conference hosted on Bissell Campus

35 Board of Trustees and Administrative Council members participated in an all-day DEIB training facilitated by Dr. Leeno Karumanchery, co-founder of MESH/Diversity.

Parent Speaker Series

WE WERE HONORED to have Oxford University professor and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Irshad Manji visit with students, faculty, and parents as part of our Parent Speaker Series. She engaged with students and faculty in grades 7-12, sharing insights on how they can foster open and honest communication with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. She emphasized the importance of moral courage in today's world, where people are often afraid to speak their minds or challenge the status quo. Later in the day, Dr. Manji and Head of School Marcel Gauthier held a fireside chat for our adult community, where she shared tangible skills to empower every one of us to make simple, yet impactful strides to create common ground and connect with people with whom we may not agree.