Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion

At Friends Academy, we are inspired by the goodness that we know exists in every young person we have the gift of educating in our Quaker school community.

 

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"We accept the job of creating the conditions that each young person in our community needs in order to thrive throughout their academic journey. Focusing on equity supports us in creating a unique experience for each and every child who walks through our doors."

– Camille S. Edwards, Director of Diversity, Equity, + Inclusion

Portrait of Camille S. Edwards, Director of DEI

Camille S. Edwards

Director of Diversity,
Equity + Inclusion

Camille_Edwards@fa.org

516.393.4284

Guided by our strategic plan “Realizing the Promise Within” we are committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational environment for every member of our community by: 

  • Presenting students with learning opportunities focused on: positive identity formation, norm-setting, civic engagement, community-building, and leadership skill development
  • Uplifting and amplifying student voice, particularly with respect to any/all of the following identifiers that may pose a challenge for a student seeking a true sense of belonging as it relates to their: ability, ethnicity, family structure, gender identity, language, race, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status
  • Empowering faculty in implementing pedagogical methods that inform and support an inclusive pedagogy.

The most important piece of our diversity, equity, and inclusion work as a school is that every one of our students experience a true sense of belonging. It is crucial that every single student who makes up our community feels seen, heard, known, and valued for who they are; their inner light. 

Diversity

At our Quaker school, diversity means that across our community you can see the beautiful mosaic of differences represented in our many identities.

What does diversity work examine?

  • representation
  • categories
  • differences

Diversity asks the question:
"Who is in the room?"

Equity

Our equity work is modeled in our attention to the unique needs of every member of our community unique to their identity and lived experiences and ensuring that they receive what they need to have happy, healthy, and successful lives.

What does equity work examine?

  • systems and structures
  • access
  • needs

Equity asks the question:
"How can we open the door to everyone?"

Inclusion

Our commitment to inclusion lives in the collection of our student alliances and affinity groups throughout our Quaker Student Life Program.

What does inclusion work examine?

  • belonging
  • voice
  • feeling welcomed

Inclusion asks the question:
"Has everyone been heard?"

Where We've Been

Scroll through the slides below to see a timeline of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Friends Academy. 

 

What's Next?

As we examine what’s next for Friends Academy, we are mindful of allowing our Quaker testimonies to guide us deeper into this space of reflection. With a long-term vision of being a school where the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion is fully integrated into our five strands below, our list of short-term goals is extensive. Rather than take a posture of reactivity, we are choosing to slow down to speed up. We will continue to listen to the voices of our students and families. We will continue to partner with key influencers and thought-leaders to learn all we can. We are here to do this work in ways that honor the full identities of members in our community while making mission-aligned, value-centered, and sustainable change.

Curriculum

DEI Curriculum

Develop a K-12 curriculum that is representative of the world, engages student voice, encourages immersive learning experiences and focuses on equitable opportunities for all people on an individual and systemic level.

 
 
SUCCESS: DEI ONBOARDING FOR STUDENTS

Established in Fall 2020, students entering Grades 7-12 experienced an immersive DEI onboarding program during their orientation week at the start of the school year. The program introduced and defined the eight major social identifiers (ability, ethnicity, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status). In advisories, students discussed the significance of embracing one’s identity at school and how our Quaker values speak directly to that part of our school’s mission. Each grade level submitted topics of interest for the year’s upcoming student-led programming and shared ideas for student groups.

SUCCESS: SUSTAINED DIALOGUE FRAMEWORK

Through our Quaker Student Life Program, a framework for "Sustained Dialogues" supports students in leading critical conversations. Our “Sustained Dialogues” program is inspired by the work of the Sustained Dialogue Institute and was codified by Dr. Harold Saunders, an American Diplomat who has worked on many peace treaties since the 1970s. Our program aims to amplify the voices of students as they explore how to sustain ongoing conversations about topics of interest - in our classrooms, in our curriculums, and in our extra-curricular programs. They are taught how to pose essential questions and lead a dialogue amongst their peers about a meaningful conversation topic.

GOAL: DEI CURRICULUM FILTER

Teachers use a lens through which they can plan and reflect on the integration of DEI goals of their curriculum across all disciplines. Guiding queries such as "Is it timely?", "Are you focusing on the 'how' (instead of the 'what')?", and "Is it integrated, open to all, and inquiry-based?" provide opportunities to thoughtfully create an inclusive experience for all students and families while ensuring mission alignment in all we do.

GOAL: HUMANITIES CURRICULUM REVIEW

During the 2021-22 school year, national experts and practitioners will partner with our English and history faculty to conduct a curricular review of Humanities across all divisions. The external review process creates ongoing dialogue and assessment of our curriculum, approach, pathways, and opportunities for development and change.  The process culminates in an in-depth co-constructed report which includes accolades, ongoing questions and considerations, and suggestions for revisions, improvements, and elevation of our Humanities program. 

 

Programs

DEI ProgramsProvide both divisional and all-school family programs that invite cultural exchanges and provide supportive, public learning among all participating community members.

 
 
SUCCESS: THREE ALL-SCHOOL CULTURAL EXCHANGES

Beginning in 2019, we began hosting three annual All-School family cultural exchanges – Holidays with Friends, FAmily Night, and the Caring Community Dinner. These programs ground themselves in storytelling, community-building, and performances of all kinds with the aim of uplifting and amplifying the voices and experiences of our students and families. Read more about each of these programs. 

SUCCESS: DEI FAMILY SUMMER SERIES

In Summer 2020, we hosted our first DEI Family Summer Series, opening the door to our community's onboarding for DEI-focused learning. Designed and led by Camille S. Edwards, we: 1) introduced and defined what the domains of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice mean to us in our Quaker school, 2) explored the benefits of approaching DEI learning with a growth mindset, and 3) defined ways in which the partnership between faculty and family strengthens our school community.

SUCCESS: DEIJ PARENT GROUP

In Winter 2020, a DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice) Parent Group was formed. Our DEIJ Parent Group welcomes parents of all identity backgrounds across our divisions. The group’s primary focus is on parent engagement through community education surrounding matters of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our Quaker school. For questions about how to join this group, please contact: camille_edwards@fa.org.

PROGRESS: STUDENT AFFINITY AND ALLIANCE GROUPS

Our Quaker mission guides us to ensure that each individual’s inner light shines brightly, so we have created affinity groups to further reinforce every individual students’ sense of belonging. Affinity groups for students in independent schools are very common and can become an integral part of any student’s experience in an independent school. Friends Academy has a history with affinity groups dating back the 1990s.

Affinity Groups are optional places of gathering for students who share a social identifier with one another (e.g. gender, language, race, etc.) and place a focus on positive identity 1) formation, 2) affirmation, and 3) exploration. Affinity groups create emotionally comfortable spaces where students can share common experiences and be in the community of others when developing a stronger sense of self.

Alliance Groups at Friends Academy are open-membership groups that welcome students of all backgrounds and identities. Alliance Groups focus on allyship, awareness, and advocacy. We have student alliances across our school community. 

Read more about our Affinity and Alliance Groups.

Professional Development

DEI Professional Developmemt

Engage in ongoing professional development experiences focused on equity, inclusion, social action, and the increased awareness and active mitigation of bias.

 

 
SUCCESS: REQUIRED ANTI-BIAS TRAINING

Since 2019, all faculty and staff have been required to participate in an annual anti-bias professional development session as a part of our ongoing education. Since 2019, we have completed the Implicit Bias Training Modules Series from the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity and will continue to require this training for all new faculty and staff in their onboarding professional development experience. Each year, we seek a training experience that is mission-aligned and relevant to our community’s learning.

2019-2020: Kirwan Institute: Implicit Bias Training Module Series (September 2019)

2020-2021: Liza A. Talusan, Ph.D., “Addressing Implicit Bias in our Daily Interactions” (April 2021)

SUCCESS: ONGOING FACULTY & STAFF EDUCATION

During the 2020-21 school year, faculty and staff have participated in a community book study and regular DEI professional development sessions. This year, we are reading, Mindful of Race by Ruth King. Our DEI sessions offer formal professional development training (e.g. implicit bias), create space for spotlighting student experiences, offer colleagues tools for uplifting our DEI efforts/initiatives (e.g., supporting students in identity-focused learning), and setting time aside for honest conversations with our colleagues about our community.

SUCCESS: DEI ONBOARDING FOR NEW COLLEAGUES

All new faculty and staff members engage in a DEI onboarding training experience with our Director of DEI where they learn about what diversity, equity and inclusion means to our Quaker school community and how to partner with our DEI office from their various areas of purview in our school. The onboarding begins with a discussion on the foundations of Quakerism and Quaker education, and how DEI work is linked to the Quaker testimony of equality/equity. New colleagues are introduced to our shared principles for how we approach DEI efforts/initiatives, have an opportunity to learn more about one another’s identities and experiences, and also are enrolled in the upcoming year’s DEI-specific goals and strategic plans for action.

PROGRESS: THE ALLIES GROUP

Formed in Summer 2020, the Allies Group works to prioritize colleague-led DEI learning as it relates to allyship and advocacy. Colleagues of all identity backgrounds are welcomed into the group to publicly learn about how to explore, define, articulate, and demonstrate their allyship and advocacy as adult community members in our Quaker school. The group prioritizes honest, sustained dialogues about topics of utmost importance and great value based on our Quaker mission.

 

Recruiting & Retention

DEI Recruiting

Expand hiring practices to identify, recruit and retain diverse educators. Evaluate and revise practices around training opportunities, screening, interviews, campus visit days, reference checks, candidate experience

 

 

 

SUCCESS: STRATEGIC PLAN RECRUITING & RETENTION COMMITTEE

The Strategic Plan Recruiting & Retention Committee (a key goal in "Realizing the Promise Within") was formed to advance the recruitment, hiring, and retention of a diverse and talented faculty and staff. The committee examines recruitment strategies, hiring practices, and the approaches to retention adopted by our school.

 

PROGRESS: REVIEW INTERVIEW PROCESS

The Recruiting & Retention Committee is reviewing the interview process to ensure it is consistent and that all hiring teams undergo anti-bias training. The Committee is working to standardize hiring practices with respect to job postings, the screening process, the interview process, and visit days. Additionally, Friends Academy has increased and varied its candidate sourcing partners and has created a tracking process to better understand success in partnering with faculty placement firms. 

 

 

Relationships & Culture

Copy of Donation Charity InfographicCultivate authentic community engagement efforts that focus on relationship building and partnership, as it relates to crucial conversations surrounding equality, equity, and justice. 

 
 
 
SUCCESS: IDENTITY-FOCUSED STUDENT GROUPS

As of the Summer of 2020, a collection of Upper School student groups were re-introduced to our Quaker Student Life Program as alliance groups associated with the Diversity Committee. See the full list under "Alliance Groups."

Each group represents specific lenses of identity that students wanted to create cultural awareness and education around for the Upper School student community. Collectively, they represent our students leading the work of building an inclusive school community through cultural competency learning efforts in our Quaker school. Identity-focused student groups can be created by any student in our Upper School community. 

GOAL: NEW STUDENT LIFE MODEL

Throughout the next two years, we will examine our current student life model, including the all-school dean model and a Quaker Practice through Community Engagement (QPCE) team to ensure full integration of DEI work in discipline, service learning, health and wellness, curriculum, and programming.

 

 

 

Alliance and Affinity Groups

What's the Difference?

Affinity Groups

bring together people who have a shared identifier (e.g. gender, family structure, religion, and many others). Within an affinity group, a member can speak to the experiences of being a member of the group from the "I" perspective. Affinity groups provide affirmation, emotional comfort, and community.

Alliance Groups

bring together those who want to support and stand in solidarity with people in underrepresented communities. Alliance groups focus on member education, advocacy, and action.

Student Groups

One of the ways we build a community grounded in inclusion and belonging is by creating supportive spaces for our students to gather and support one another. Our affinity groups and alliance groups allow for crucial conversations, mentoring, and relationship-building. By participating in these groups students are empowered to learn more about themselves and their peers.

What is a student affinity group?

The term “affinity group” refers to a gathering of people whom all share a similar identity. Some examples are a young women’s group at the high school or a students of color mentoring program at the middle school. First Grade is a type of affinity group structured around age, and a school alumni group is another example. Although members of the group may share a common identity, such as gender or race, it does not mean that everyone in that group shares the same experience. Rather, participants recognize that their identity has an effect on the way they move through the world. Affinity groups enhance cross-cultural communication. They provide a space for reflection, dialogue, and support. 

The goal of affinity groups is to facilitate positive identity exploration and development toward the larger goal of creating an inclusive and thriving learning environment. These kinds of groups offer a time and space for the empowerment of the individual and of the group within the greater community. By becoming firmly rooted in their own identity, community members are in a much better position to understand the experiences of others.

Research from both educational institutions and the business world has demonstrated that affinity groups increase a student’s sense of belonging which has a positive impact on academic achievement and are a necessary component for the healthy development of organizations. They create space for better communication and understanding, which allows people to work and learn together in an equitable way.

Affinity Groups

Racial/Ethnic (listed alphabetically):
African-American/Black (Grades 5-12)
East-Asian (Grades 5-12)
Latinx/Hispanic (Grades 5-12)
South-Asian (Grades 5-12)
White and/or European Ancestry (Grades 5-12)

Faith: Kehilla (Jewish) (Grades 5-12)

Language: Bilingual/Multilingual and/or New to English Language (Grades 3-8)

Identity:
Pride (LGBTQIA+) – (Grades 7-12)

Interest:
Student-Athletes (Grades 7-12)

What is a student alliance group?

Student alliance groups are for anyone interested in joining the gathering. They focus on identity awareness, allyship, and advocacy. It is a place to learn about the experiences of others or not necessarily your own.

Alliance Groups

Lower School Belonging Alliance 
Middle School Inclusion Alliance 
Upper School Diversity Committee

Upper School Student Alliance Groups (listed alphabetically)

Asian Awareness Club (AAC): The AAC aims to celebrate and promote diverse Asian and multicultural backgrounds in order to gain a deeper understanding of these identities. The group has a goal of learning about the identities of the participating members’ cultures, representing various cultures, and encouraging everyone to lean into their curiosities about one another.

Black Student Alliance (BSA): The BSA strives to unite Black students across the Friends Academy community while simultaneously welcoming people of all backgrounds to appreciate and learn about Black culture, history, and the struggles that Black people will experience as a direct result of their racial identity.

Diversity Committee: Our Upper School Diversity Committee prides itself on being able to unite students of all abilities, ethnicities, gender identities, races, sexual orientations, and religions/faiths. Students focus on creating a brave space where all participating members can express their individual beliefs in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

The Feminism Club

Hearing All Voices

Hellenic Youth Engagement Program

Jewish Cultural Alliance: The mission of the Jewish Cultural Alliance is to bring awareness and a strong Jewish voice to the Friends Academy community. The group aims for all individuals, not just Jewish ones, to become well versed on the Jewish culture, history, and issues facing Jewish people currently.

Muslim Student Alliance

Sexuality & Gender Awareness Club (SAGA): SAGA places its focus on cultivating a greater sense of awareness and solidarity towards the LGBTQ+ community through education, advocacy, and social action.

Student Organization of Latinos (SOL): SOL aims to spread awareness of the many different heritages that people of Hispanic descent come from. The group encourages intercultural exchange through events like sustained dialogue programs and open forum conversations.

Adult Groups

Our commitment to our stakeholder groups outside of our student community is also very important to us. It is for this reason that we have both Alliance Groups and Affinity Groups for other members of our community as well.

Adults and children posing for a photo at FAmily Night

Affinity Groups

Colleagues of Color Affinity Group: The Colleagues of Color Affinity Group creates a supportive space to uplift and amplify historically marginalized voices and engage in crucial conversations surrounding the growth and development of People of Color within our professional community. 

White Colleagues Affinity & Accountability Group: The White Colleagues Affinity & Accountability Group creates a supportive space for public learning and crucial conversations surrounding 'whiteness' and individual accountability towards the DEI efforts within our school community.

Alliance Groups

The Allies Group (TAG): TAG creates a supportive space for public learning and crucial conversations surrounding: collaboration, advocacy, allyship, social action, and change-making.

BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) Alumni at Friends Academy (BAFA): BAFA aims to develop an inter-generational network created for BIPOC students and alumni within the wider Friends Academy community to cultivate belonging, celebrate cultural differences, empower others to be culturally competent, and ensure equity for all.

Board of Trustees Diversity Committee: Clerked by Board Vice President David Gelfand.

DEIJ Parent Group: The DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice) Parent Group creates a supportive space for parents and caregivers to share their voices and experiences while placing an acute focus on parent engagement, crucial conversations, and ongoing education for our parent community at large.

 

All-School Family Programs Series 

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Holidays with Friends

Traditionally held in December, Holidays with Friends is an all-school event that emphasizes faith, service, and inclusion in a harmonious way. Designed to offer a winter uplift to everyone's spirit within the community, the evening serves as an arena for story-telling, cultural and faith exchanges, accessible service activities, and an engaging communal experience for the entire family.

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Four students on stage with Camille Edwards

FAmily Night

FAmily Night is an all-school event held during Peace Week in January that celebrates the rich diversity that all families bring to our community. The night is filled with cultural offerings, student performances, an international family potluck, and visual art. The evening places a strong focus on diversity and inclusion.

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Three students performing a dance at the Caring Community Dinner

Caring Community Dinner

Held in March, the Caring Community Dinner serves as a fundraiser and awareness program for the Diversity Grant Fund – which provides financial support to student expenses and fees that are a part of a student's educational experiences but are not covered by financial aid.

The dinner is paired with original student performances (OriginalWorks) and a brief presentation from students who attended the year's annual National Association of Independent Schools’ (NAIS) Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). This third and final all-school family program focuses on diversity and equity.

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Get ready to open a new door