Equity, Justice, and Belonging at SSFS

The School admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and qualified candidates with a disability and accord to them all the rights and privileges, programs, and activities generally offered or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or as a result of a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, staff hiring and other School-administered programs.

• Each grade introduces and honors diversity through comparisons and differences among classmates and families;
• Instructional materials, books, and toys are selected to reflect different genders, ethnicities, foods, and geography backgrounds;
• Holidays are used as opportunities to celebrate and learn about various cultural traditions;
• Music, art, and physical education activities reflect classroom curriculum themes;
• Starting in first grade, the social studies program focuses on specific cultures.

• Advisory group programs include diversity topics throughout the year;
• Middle School Diversity Committee meets weekly and organizes ongoing diversity discussions on topics selected by the students;
• Students who self-identify as black meet monthly as an affinity group with adult mentors;
• Black History Month programs are organized with parent involvement;
• Seasonal celebrations of different ethnic groups are organized by students and faculty, and are supported by parent involvement;
• The language teachers organize a number of activities around typical Spanish- and French-speaking countries' holidays or observances;
• SSFS hosts the Middle School Diversity Leadership Conference run by EastEd. The conference is open to schools throughout the east coast and is attended by over 700 students annually.

• An Upper School diversity committee comprise of faculty/staff members addresses the ways diverse populations are recognized, included, and celebrated at SSFS;
• The 9th grade participates in the National Coalition Building training in the winter;
• A two-day NCBI training is conducted for upper grade student leaders before the 9th grade NCBI event;
• A group of Upper School students and faculty members attends the national People of Color conference held annually;
• Student-initiated clubs such as the Black Student Union (BSU), the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club, and the World Wide Culture Club organize campus activities and events throughout the year;
• Diversity assemblies include an annual Martin Luther King observance, an international assembly, and others with varying cultural and international themes;
• Cultural competence and multicultural activities occur regularly in the advisory curriculum.