Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

Diversity Statement

Bishop’s is an inclusive community that believes our differences are a source of strength. We are committed to the pursuit of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. We respect the dignity of every human being and aspire to be a school where all are known, cared for and feel that they belong.

What does belonging at Bishop's look like?

We aim to foster our intentional community of inclusion and belonging. To do this, we:

Strengthen relationship-based experiences so all students are known and have a strong connection with peers and adults.
Establish a Center for Community and Belonging that serves as a hub for diversity, equity and inclusion and offers a space for dialogue and learning for all students and adults at Bishop’s.
Cultivate a culture that attracts, develops and retains a diverse faculty.
Develop a tuition strategy that supports affordability and access.
Raise endowment funds to increase affordability and reduce barriers to access.

Middle School

DEIJ is woven into the fabric of our middle school. Age-appropriate programming occurs during advisory and well-being blocks including chapel throughout the year. The heart of DEIJ work is to create space for dialogue and shared learning throughout each grade level so our students gain a sense of belonging.

Some examples of middle school DEIJ programming includes:

The Butterfly Project and Holocaust speaker
Female Empowerment Meetings
Middle School Everyone's Group for Gender and Sexuality

Upper School

DEIJ programming occurs during advisory, throughout the academic curriculum, in the well-being block and chapel.

Opportunities for students to engage further include:

Affinity Spaces
Conferences
- RSDS
- NAIS SDLC
- National Student Leadership Diversity Convention
- Pollyanna
Community events (AIDS Walk, ADL Walk Against Hate, San Diego Pride Youth Programming)
Documentary and movie outings with discussion
- Black Panther
- The Problem with Apu
- I am Not Your Negro
- The Unafraid

Chapel

Guided by the Episcopal commitments to “love our neighbors as ourselves,” “to respect the dignity of every human being” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people,” the chapel program affirms, celebrates and honors the inherent dignity and worth of every human being.

Chapel is a safe and sacred space where students are seen, heard and embraced for who they are, how they identify and what they believe. Students of different faiths regularly share their religious traditions, values and holy days, and affinity group members speak about their identities, culture and experiences as Black, Asian, Latinx, Jewish, Muslim and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Inspired by our founders' commitment to social justice, chapel is also a space where students are invited to explore social justice issues through the lens of compassion and humility, and consider how they can use the gift of their education to work for justice and a more equitable society.

Professional Development

Bishop's faculty and staff participate in professional growth opportunities on and off campus that deepen their understanding of equity, inclusion, justice, social-emotional learning and the cultural experiences of our students and colleagues. Our colleagues listen to one another, ask questions, and show up as their authentic selves everyday, encouraging a sense of belonging we strive for among our students.

Faculty/Staff Workshops Attended:

NAIS People of Color Conference
CATDC: Teaching While White
CATDC: Equity as Excellence
CATDC: Racial Affinity Group Seminar
CATDC: Bringing our Full Selves to the Work of Being White Anti-Racists
White Privilege Conference, Youth Action Project
CATDC: A Mindful Approach to Whiteness
CATDC: Becoming a Diversity Responsive School
Carney Sandoe Diversity Forum

Respectful Dialogue Practices

We hope students and employees navigate difficult conversations and engage in thoughtful discussion about the world they will inherit, following our Respectful Dialogue Practices:

Learn From Others. I understand that the presence and participation of individuals from multiple identities enriches conversations throughout the Bishop's community.
Engage Respectfully. I know the importance of maintaining respect for people who act or think differently from me.
Embrace Viewpoints. I value including different viewpoints because this enhances the interplay of ideas and can improve our understanding of enduring questions.
Respect the Individual. I listen attentively to others and engage with their ideas, recognizing each person as an individual rather than as a representative of a group.
Trust Bravely. I understand that sharing ideas is a vulnerable act, and I respect the privacy of those who share openly with me, as I share openly with them.
Take Positions Humbly. I approach conversations knowing that my experiences shape a significant portion of my worldview, that others may have experiences different from my own. I speak solely from my own perspective. I will honor what I hear.
Pursue Growth. I understand that nobody is infallible, and I respect our ability to grow, change our minds and learn together.