Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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Our Differences
St. Catherine's is on a journey to be a part of dismantling systemic racism. Black lives matter, and we stand in solidarity with our Black students, families, faculty, staff, and alumnae. To learn more, read OUR PATH FORWARD Communication.
We are not all the same, and we like it that way
St. Catherine’s School brings together girls and their families, faculty and staff from a diverse mix of backgrounds, nationalities, experiences and perspectives. We are committed to building a welcoming community within and beyond the School through teaching social responsibility and inclusiveness, and we recognize the unique gifts and potential of each person and recognize the strength that comes from our differences.
Our girl-centered education includes the active partnership with our brother school, St. Christopher’s School, to continue building our inclusive community.
We are committed to an inclusive community
Diversity Statement
St. Catherine’s School is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment. We actively engage students, families, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our school community respects the differences in ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. Consistent with the School’s mission, St. Catherine’s fosters in our students, and expects from all others, respect for the dignity and wholeness of every person.
We weave cultural competencies into every day
As we advance our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, we focus on various cultural identifiers including age, ability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. To further ensure we uphold this focus, various leadership groups work collaboratively to weave mutual respect into every facet of school life and into the academic curriculum. We actively strengthen our work extensive community connections, collaborations and service partnerships.
Programming
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Advising and Mentoring Programs
- The Virtues Program in the Lower School teaches the girls understanding and compassion at a young age with a 2-year cycle of monthly virtues that are explored in the classroom, in chapel and across grade levels.
- In addition to the Middle School advisory program, girls across grade levels come together in our Strong Circles Program to explore themes of honor, friendship, inclusion and service. They work on special projects throughout the year in which each girl’s voice is heard and celebrated.
- In the Upper School, junior and senior peer advisors actively engage with freshmen to help them transition into Upper School life and work together on numerous projects and activities that center around themes of building community.
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Board of Governors Committee on Inclusion
St. Catherine’s Board of Governors has a specific committee dedicated to inclusion efforts that is further supported by an Inclusion team that consists of faculty and staff representing all divisions. -
Recruitment of Diverse Faculty and Staff
We actively recruit, hire and retain talented faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds. Some of our activities include participating in diversity career fairs, partnering with community organizations and collaborating with career development offices at colleges and universities. -
Chapel Program
We value each girl’s spiritual journey and we make time for prayer, reflection and matters of the heart. Our Episcopal identity guides us to embrace all faith traditions. Chapel speakers of all ages and walks of life share their experiences in relatable ways. Chapel services are held several times a week in each division. -
Community Partners & Faculty Professional Development
- St. Catherine’s is a leader school in the Virginia Diversity Network with faculty members often serving on the Executive Committee. In addition, St. Catherine’s is a proud supporter of the annual Virginia Independent Schools Diversity Fair.
- St. Catherine’s is an active member school in Global Education Benchmark Group sharing the mission to promote the development of global citizens by expanding their knowledge and skills, and empathic orientation required to understand multiple perspectives and to thrive in increasingly interconnected world systems.
- St. Catherine's is a member of the Workplace Inclusion Network (WIN), sponsored by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. Through this partnership, our faculty and staff participate in ongoing best practices training and workshops devoted to topics such as migroaggressions, difficult conversations, creating an upstander culture and more.
- Our school leads professional development workshops and programs throughout the school year that include training, activities and speakers that address inclusion, community and global engagement topics.
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Experiential Learning
We know that girls greatly benefit from hands-on learning and experiences which allow them to explore, connect and grow. Our teaching and learning extends beyond the classroom with unique student-led activities, service trips, exchanges with partner schools and a host of X-term cohorts that place inclusion and service to others at the center of their work. -
Student Conferences and Clubs
- Each year the School provides an opportunity for students to attend a variety of inclusion/diversity conferences and workshops such as the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, which is held in conjunction with the People of Color Conference for educators; the Prejudice Awareness Summit, sponsored by the Upper School Diversity Conference, led by the Virginia Diversity Network.
- The Lower School Inclusion Club meets weekly to participate in age-appropriate activities related to broadening their understanding and appreciation of diversity as it relates to different perspectives, cultures, and religions.
- Through our partnership with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, Middle Schoolers attend the Prejudice Awareness Summit and the Middle School Diversity Conference hosted by St. Stephen's and St. Agnes' School. Upper School students attend the Connections Institute to understand how stereotypes, bigotry and prejudice can negatively affect their schools.
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Guest Speakers
St. Catherine's brings guest speakers and visiting experts to campus to share their experiences with our students. They represent a diverse array of perspectives and passions including:- Minnijean Brown-Trickey, member of Little Rock Nine
- Axana Sultan, Founder and CEO of Enhancing Children’s Lives
- Sarah Lenti Policy Consultant and Board Member for the National Immigration Forum
- Angela Luna, founder and CEO of ADIFF
- Mae Shields, Civil Rights activist
- Ellen Stofan, Ph.D., Chief Scientist of NASA
- Shiza Shahid, Co-Founder and Global Ambassador of the Malala Fund
- Maggie Doyne, 2015 CNN Hero of the Year and founder of Kopila Valley School and Home in Nepal
- Fr. Nabil Haddad, Melkite Catholic founder and director of the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center in Amman, Jordan
- Tucker Carrington, Director of the Mississippi Innocence Project
Contacts
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6001 Grove Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23226 | 804-288-2804
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