We believe schools can only work effectively with students, faculty, and families by administratively supporting a Distributed Leadership Model. In any institution, diversity initiatives are successful and add to the positive experiences of all students when all members of the community own their responsibility to the work of equity, inclusion, and social justice. In the Middle and Upper Schools, administrative leadership supports this work on a strategic and day-to-day level.

We recognize the unique experiences some underrepresented students, families, faculty, and staff may have at independent schools and work diligently to promote success for everyone. Through a broad range of activities and programming—in addition to the work done daily in the classroom—we help students affirm identity, build community, and cultivate leadership skills. Throughout their time at Beaver, students have access to teachers, administrators, and staff who support them and help them learn and grow alongside them.

Affinity Groups & Ally Spaces

Beaver offers each student an academically challenging curriculum in an environment that promotes balance in their lives, fosters critical thinking, and cultivates collaborative and leadership skills. In our courses, students immerse themselves in complex ideas. We value diversity, emphasize multiple perspectives, encourage self-reflection, and empathy for other’s viewpoints.

To support all students in these endeavors and build an inclusive community, we host gatherings of different affinity groups throughout the year.  Affinity groups are voluntary gatherings that provide brave spaces for students to explore, affirm, and celebrate their identities, as well as share experiences, build community, and discuss current events. They encourage participation in discussions that encompass race, ethnicity, socioeconomics, gender, religion, sexuality, ability, and other identifiers present in classroom, advisory, and full community events. Meeting with a group of peers who share an important part of their identity fosters confidence, a sense of belonging, and leadership skills.

Affirmation, Celebration, and Exploration can be defined as:

• Affirmation is acknowledging, recognizing, and validating aspects of who you are.
• Celebration is embracing and taking joy in who you are and within our entire school community.
• Exploration is discovering new facets of yourself and learning about different perspectives.

In the Upper School, these meetings are facilitated by faculty and often led by seniors. In the Middle School, juniors participate in some meetings.