Since the mid 1800s,
You Belong at Cheshire Academy
Cheshire Academy has opened its doors to students from all over the world. Even at a time when diversity was not celebrated or at the
forefront of conversation, CA recognized that a diverse student body was integral to the growth and development of future leaders. That mindset remains: this year, students from 11 states and 21 countries call Cheshire Academy home. Inside the Gideon Welles Dining Commons, more than 60 flags hang on the eastern wall, representative of the students who attended campus over the past two centuries. Even earlier, in 1794, the school’s original constitution noted
racism — something CA has been working to dismantle. Every day, at all levels, Cheshire Academy strives to be a truly inclusive, diverse, and anti-racist school. “This is the right thing to do for human beings,” states Head of School Julie Anderson P’19,’23. “There shouldn’t be a fear of
that “female education may be attended to in this institution,
diversity, equity, and inclusion in our school. Doing what is right
by such instructors and under such conditions as the trustees
for students is what we have to do as a school: making sure that
shall direct.” International students were welcomed in 1850, at
they all feel safe, that all of our students feel like they belong.”
a time when such practice was not commonplace. CA returned
Meeting Cheshire Academy’s goal of being an anti-racist
to its coeducational roots in 1969 after a constitutional change
school benefits all students, employees, parents and families,
converted CA to a boys-only school in 1836.
alumni, and the greater CA community, Anderson says. “Every
CA has long been home to students from a range of racial,
12
left us with structures, systems, and practices of institutionalized
student here should feel like they can work hard and be
cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Even still,
supported by the adults on this campus to achieve whatever it
the viewpoints, mindsets, and opinions of past generations have
is that they want to achieve, and not feel that any part of their
the magazine of cheshire academy
