Cary Academy’s Strategic Plan for Diversity

Rationale- Educational environments that are inclusive of individuals of diverse backgrounds and respectful of multiple points of view within that environment have positive impacts on learning and social development - which are not duplicated by other aspects of the curriculum.

1. Identify and celebrate accomplishments in our school community that foster a culture of inclusiveness.

• Highlight ways in which CA members foster inclusion and respect in their work, actions or interactions (i.e., on the web, in newsletters, etc.).
• Establish an ongoing column on diversity in the monthly Access Newsletter at CA.

2. Promote diversity education among parents, faculty, and staff.

• Collaborate with the Service Learning Coordinator such that the Community Service program is an educational resource for better awareness and understanding of diversity issues for participating students and their families.
• Work in close partnership with parent diversity committees, PTAA, and other groups that sponsor parent education programs to promote parent programs that address diversity issues at least once a year.
• Provide information on local, regional and national Diversity Conferences/Workshops (such as POCC, TDA, GLSEN etc.) to encourage parents, faculty, and staff to attend them.    

3. Assess the climate for inclusion, diversity, and respect at Cary Academy.

• Conduct NAIS Community Assessment to gather data for the diversity planning process.
• Utilize the results of the Community Assessment to refine and guide the Strategic Diversity Plan.
  
   

4. Seek and create opportunities to maintain the visual presence of diversity throughout the school environment.

• Display visual art from a variety of cultures and societies around the world and within the United States
• Establish and host an art contest among all independent schools in the area developed around a theme of diversity of perspectives (for example: “Perspectives in Culture” or in thought or etc.  The theme could change every q years)
• Ensure that visual components of school publications reflect diversity of our community.

Rationale- A crucial aspect of a quality education is to prepare students to be successful global citizens, and advocates for a just, inclusive society. 

1. Provide specific programs and leadership training for students to promote inclusive and open-minded attitudes and behaviors both at Cary Academy and beyond.

o       Implement diversity training programs for students, at least yearly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

o       Train students to assist, and eventually co-lead, the facilitation of diversity training programs.

o       Train students in conflict resolution and mediation skills.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

o       Extend faculty training opportunities to interested students.

o       Offer high quality assemblies and programs that address issues of diversity.    

o       Sponsor two or more students to attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) annually and share the acquired information with the CA student population.

o       Collaborate with student clubs and leadership organizations to incorporate diversity components in their activities. 

2. Assess and strengthen the role of diverse perspectives in all aspects of the curriculum.  Support academic departments in creating and incorporating curricular materials and pedagogies that reflect multicultural traditions, history, achievements in all walks of life, and styles of learning.

o       Use the Curriculum Mapping process to celebrate successes and identify deficits in the curriculum across disciplines and divisions. 

o       Provide additional resources and experiences to teachers in curriculum transformation of their subject area.

o       Collaborate with institutions that have similar goals in order to learn from their successes and challenges, and to support one another's efforts. (ex. hold joint events such as the Triangle Diversity Conference 2007 hosted at CA)

o       Encourage student discussion of current events /world news involving issues of diversity, such as ethic conflicts, women’s rights, etc. so students understand the important issues relating to diversity that are occurring in their own lifetime.

o       Continue faculty training diversity programs to ensure teachers understand and model sensitivity and respect for students of all backgrounds, and that they encourage all students’ perspectives to be part of the class discussion.

o       Consider implementing a Sign Language course for new sixth and ninth graders to promote a more inclusive student body.

3.  Provide opportunities for students to expand their global perspective through international travel.

o       Support and develop the 11th Grade Foreign Exchange Program

o       Develop other international travel programs that expand cultural awareness.

Rationale- Cary Academy must be proactive in designing and sustaining institutional programs to recruit and retain students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds.

1. Assist the Admissions Office in identifying, admitting and retaining students and families from diverse backgrounds.

o       Continue the Minority Recruitment Plan.

o       Achieve NAIS’s Excellent School diversity target numbers for the Cary Academy student body and employees. (20% +)

2. Assist Division Heads in identifying, attracting, and retaining faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds.

o       Investigate an Internship Program for faculty new to the profession.

o       Engage the Minority Faculty Recruitment Committee for all faculty openings.

·         The Dean of Faculty will remind placement agencies that Cary Academy wishes to receive minority candidate files and to meet minority candidates at recruiting fairs.

·         The Dean of Faculty and the Director of Diversity will develop and maintain a supplemental set of recruiting materials focusing on the experience of employees and students of color at Cary Academy.

·         The Dean of Faculty and Director of Diversity will visit with placement officers at area colleges offering master’s degrees in education in an effort to identify and attract strong minority candidates.

3. Promote and provide diversity learning opportunities for employees.

o       Provide employees with two learning/awareness opportunities annually.

o       The Director of Diversity will support the divisions and departments with resource materials, conferences and workshops selections throughout the academic year.

o       Develop an individually based employee diversity training program.

o       Continue to be an active member of the Triangle Diversity Alliance.

·         Host the Annual TDA Diversity Conference in 2007.

·         Secure the appropriate resources and support to host the TDA Diversity Conference.

o       Provide employees with additional funding (not part of Professional Development) for diversity training and experiences.