About
Inclusion
Athenian's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice
Fulfilling our school mission requires being an equitable and inclusive community that reflects a wide range of identities, lived experiences, and perspectives. Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEIS) work is in service to this belief, helping to create an environment where all members of the community thrive.
We call upon all of our students, families, faculty, staff, alumni and trustees to actively engage in this work both individually and collectively. And, as an institution of learning, we work to ensure our programs and curriculum reflect the diversity of our community and the world, including the experiences and perspectives of varied race, national and/or ethnic origin, socioeconomic class, faith, political affiliation, physical abilities, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We acknowledge that there is much work to be done and that conflicts may arise in the co-creation of a just and equitable community; we see these conflicts as opportunities for restoration, growth, and learning.
Athenian believes that upholding our commitments will take full community participation -- a team approach. Our Director of DEIS supports school-wide DEIS efforts for, and in partnership with, students, their families, employees and our Board of Trustees. We invite you to join us on this journey.
We call upon all of our students, families, faculty, staff, alumni and trustees to actively engage in this work both individually and collectively. And, as an institution of learning, we work to ensure our programs and curriculum reflect the diversity of our community and the world, including the experiences and perspectives of varied race, national and/or ethnic origin, socioeconomic class, faith, political affiliation, physical abilities, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We acknowledge that there is much work to be done and that conflicts may arise in the co-creation of a just and equitable community; we see these conflicts as opportunities for restoration, growth, and learning.
Athenian believes that upholding our commitments will take full community participation -- a team approach. Our Director of DEIS supports school-wide DEIS efforts for, and in partnership with, students, their families, employees and our Board of Trustees. We invite you to join us on this journey.
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Anti Racist Statement
We, Athenian, condemn racism, discrimination, and bigotry in all forms. Acknowledging that racism is systematic and self-perpetuating, we are counteracting racism by identifying and dismantling the systems--policies, practices, and cultural norms-- that may be perpetuating racial inequities at Athenian. While our work is centered on enacting change at Athenian, we will engage our entire community in the process thereby educating young people equipped to advocate for racial equity in their own communities and throughout their lives.
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Gender Statement
The Athenian School is committed to recognizing and celebrating every community member’s unique gender identity, and seeks to provide a supportive learning environment that ensures protection, respectful treatment and equal access to educational programs for students of all genders. We actively welcome and respect gender diversity and use students’ chosen names and pronouns within our campus community. The Athenian School furthermore affirms youth of all genders—cisgender, transgender, non-binary, gender fluid, agender, gender nonconforming/gender expansive, and any other gender identity—and works to make everyone feel supported and welcome in our community. The school will work with the parents/guardians of a student whenever possible and appropriate, however parent/guardian approval will not be a prerequisite for respecting a student's gender identity. Please note that Athenian is required to use a student’s legal name on any legal or official record, such as official transcripts.
Multi-Year DEIS Goals
Our DEIS work as a school is anchored to four major initiatives that also tie to our most recent strategic plan. These are multi-year initiatives that drive much of our efforts and that show up in our programming with student and the professional community.
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belonging
On Campus Affinity Groups
Athenian Upper School students are invited to participate in or help create affinity groups. These identity-based groups help foster community and are a vehicle for connection, advocacy, and support for students who identify as members of a historically marginalized group. Each group has its own unique mission and an adult advisor with a shared identity. In addition to the groups below, the school has two faculty and staff affinity groups (BIPOC and LGBTQ+), as well as an all-community accountability space for students, staff, faculty, and administrators who are White or have proximity to whiteness (self-identified) and are seeking to learn more about their whiteness and its relationship to antiracism.
Asian Student Union
Black Student Union
International Students Affinity Group
Jew Crew (Jewish Affinity Group)
La Gente (LatinX/Hispanic Affinity Group)
Mixed Race Affinity Space
Muslim Student Union
Neurodivergent Student Union
Queer Student Union
South Asian Representation
Black Student Union
International Students Affinity Group
Jew Crew (Jewish Affinity Group)
La Gente (LatinX/Hispanic Affinity Group)
Mixed Race Affinity Space
Muslim Student Union
Neurodivergent Student Union
Queer Student Union
South Asian Representation
Naoko Akiyama, Director of DEIS
Naoko brings over two decades of independent school experience with time spent in schools on both coasts. In addition to her many years as a math teacher, Naoko has served schools and students in a variety of roles including Class Dean, Dean of Students, and Dean of Community Life, and Interim Director of Equity and Inclusion. Throughout her time as an educator, Naoko has been a committed DEI advocate and practitioner in both formal and informal capacities.
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