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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Georgetown Day School’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is charged with ensuring that diversity, social justice, and inclusivity as a foundational philosophies, are integrated throughout the community and the curriculum.

Georgetown Day School’s Office of Diversity was established in 1999 by a board-appointed Diversity Task Force to provide school-wide leadership on diversity initiatives.  Since that time, GDS has emerged and been recognized as a national leader in diversity education.   The vital work and service provided by our office is supported by a mission rooted deeply in our founders vision, which in 1945, named diversity as a core value of the School. Over time and with the support of the GDS Board of Trustees and Head of School, the office has intentionally evolved to incorporate equity and inclusion initiatives that, per our mission, “honors the integrity and worth of each individual within a diverse school community” and seeks to “foster strength of character and concern for others.”  The GDS Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)  sets the tone for shaping an academic environment that intentionally and passionately explores core curriculum within a social justice framework.  

 

Affinity & Alliance Groups

 

Student Leadership Development

HS Students on field

 

Faculty Professional Development

 

Social Justice Teach-In Days

 

 

Our Statement of Inclusion

Georgetown Day School is devoted to continuously building an inclusive community open to a multitude of perspectives.

  • As an inclusive community, we uphold that everyone will engage in the work of social justice within all aspects of school life. We work to ensure that our mission is a living guide that we consistently and honestly act upon and assess. As such, to ensure that we actively live our mission grounded in social justice, equity and inclusion, we, the GDS community, make the following commitments:
  • We commit to being a school where students, faculty, staff, families, and alumni feel respected and valued for being their full authentic selves.
  • We commit to taking responsible action to build a foundation of cultural competency, aimed at lifting the strengths, needs, and experiences of all in our community and beyond.
  • We commit to proactively design and deliver an inclusive and equitable, student-centered curriculum which honors the diverse identities of all students in our community.
  • We commit to implementing this curriculum in ways that promote understanding others and ourselves in the world around us.
  • We commit to learning and growing in the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion and sharing our work forward beyond our school’s walls.
  • We commit to learning intentionally from our mistakes and working to make positive changes in our community and in our world.
  • We commit to asking for support when engaged in the difficult and complex conversations and challenges before us. We will seek differing perspectives, remaining open-minded to others’ views, and listening and withholding judgment when possible.
  • We commit to intentionally following up on these conversations using compassion, a willingness to work together for positive change, understanding, connection, and growth.
  • Furthermore, we commit to fostering collegial relationships through interactions that are meaningful, honest, direct and joyful.
     
The founding principals and dedication to equity create a beacon of hope that my children will grow up with opportunities to lead and even fail in a safe space.
The founding principles and dedication to equity create a beacon of hope that my children will grow up with opportunities to lead and even fail in a safe space.
 
GDS Parent '20 & 34
GDS's commitment to social justice, the unparalleled academics, and the incredible people that make up the community.
What do I love about GDS? Its commitment to social justice, the unparalleled academics, and the incredible people that make up the community.
 
Alum '09
Your dedication in making sure students engage in the GDS mission is much appreciated!
Your dedication in making sure students engage in the GDS mission is much appreciated! #ChangeMakers #FutureSocialJusticeLeaders
 
Parent of Alum '19
My children have grown into confident, capable, and accomplished young people who are willing to ask questions, challenge popular beliefs, and look for ways to make the world better for those around them.
My children have grown into confident, capable, and accomplished young people who are willing to ask questions, challenge popular beliefs, and look for ways to make the world better for those around them.
 
GDS Parent '15 & '23
The seeds GDS sows have empowered our kids to be change agents, and we can't thank you enough.
The seeds GDS sows have empowered our kids to be change agents, and we can't thank you enough.
 
Parent of Alums '11, '13 & '15

Meet the Team

Marlo Thomas

Assistant Head for Equity and Inclusion

Anni Abadian-Heifetz

Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Shakeara Pardner

Program Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion