Diversity & Inclusion - Green Acres School

Having been founded as the first racially integrated school in Montgomery County, diversity and inclusion are mainstays of our community—as they have been since 1934.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action Committee

The school's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action committee (IDEA) meets regularly to share and generate ideas for programs, initiatives, practices, and new ways of authentically valuing and advancing diversity at Green Acres. IDEA includes parents and current and past staff and trustees working on policies, strategic planning, programs, and activities for the school community in support of diversity at Green Acres. It responds to the need for compassion, community, responsibility, and action to support marginalized groups in our community and beyond.

SEED Seminars

Green Acres offers SEED (Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity) seminars—one created for our parents and another for faculty and staff. These seminars provide opportunities to examine identity, deepen awareness and understanding of issues of diversity, equity, and social justice, and strengthen the school community. We welcome parents and staff to join these conversations for a dynamic year of self-reflection and discussion.

Originally devised as a staff-development equity project, the Green Acres SEED seminars engage parents and staff in thought-provoking discussions that help build a sense of community and provide safe spaces for courageous conversations. The seminars create time for reflection and to develop connections to others through readings, films, activities that incorporate life experiences, and discussions of past and current events related to issues of diversity and equity encountered in our school and in the larger community.

School Program

Our diversity coordinator collaborates with staff, faculty, administration, and students to promote inclusion and diversity work throughout the school program and community. Providing access to age-appropriate diversity-related materials and resources is an integral part of this role and can be seen in programming such as the Middle School social justice book clubs with the head librarian. Examples of student initiatives include Racial Justice Club and the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA).

Green Acres School Diversity Statement

At Green Acres School, we believe that a vigorous learning environment benefits from collaboration among people of diverse backgrounds and from continual reflection on policies and practices in and out of the classroom. Ultimately, this kind of environment is transformative for everyone. Therefore, Green Acres School fosters an inclusive and uplifting community that welcomes families of diverse ability, age, diet, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

We strive for diversity in our student and staff populations; to heighten student, staff, and family awareness of diversity issues; to create a strong curriculum reflecting our diversity; and to foster a sense of belonging for everyone in the Green Acres community. Our students grow to be responsible citizens with the sensitivity, skills, and sense of equity and social justice needed to make our increasingly complex and diverse world a better place.

Green Acres School Statement of Inclusion

Green Acres School is committed to the importance of diversity and equity in all aspects of its work. We value a diverse community that welcomes people of any race, national or ancestral origin, religion, economic circumstance, gender identity and expression, family composition, and sexual orientation.