Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Sometimes there is a misconception that diversity, equity, and inclusion is about certain ethnic groups, but that is not the case at Brentwood School. Our work impacts everyone.Every single person brings something unique to our community. Their background and personal experiences represent something different—a value added to our community. Students who experience the most diversity and multicultural curricula show the greatest engagement in active thinking processeses and growth in intellectual engagement motivation and intellectual academic skills. Our Office of Equity and Inclusion considers how we can best navigate our differences so that they can be shared and raised up throughout our school.

Diversity Mission Statement

The Brentwood School community actively seeks diverse perspectives and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential. We create an environment that fosters openness and appreciation of multiple dimensions of culture and identity. We aim to engage mindfully in open and frequent dialogues to ensure that each member is valued, included, and respected. Diversity is in the fabric of who we are.

How do we put Equity and Inclusion into practice?

Equity is being conscious and cognitive of our efforts to best meet the needs of all members of our community. Inclusion means creating an environment where all participants and constituents are valued and can be their best selves, irrespective of background, experience, and lifestyle. We do this with a variety of measures, policies, and programs. We do this through our curriculum—in what we teach and how we teach it. We work together as students, parents, faculty, and administration to maintain an inclusive community. All of this is motivated and inspired by our recognition that diversity is advantageous now and in the future because we believe that classroom experiences and social relationships that broaden, rather than replicate the ideas and experiences students bring with them from their home environments are critical to fostering cognitive and social growth.

Diversity Council

We engage a Diversity Council comprised of faculty, staff, and administrative representatives that serve to be directly involved in change-based work in the school community. Members of the council are committed to ongoing personal growth and development in areas including but not limited to anti-bias curriculum and thought, cultural and racial literacy, intercultural intelligence, social awareness, and social justice. Members of the council are actively and visibly supportive of campus programs and events.

Our Work

Creating an inclusive school requires a manifold approach. Our students are engaged and valued in a way that is equitable. They need complete access into the full community to achieve a level of excellence. We examine potential barriers to full participation and continually ask the question, “Can we do this better?”

Equity & Inclusion In Focus

Please view the categories below to watch videos and read articles that further demonstrate Equity and Inclusion in action at Brentwood School...

Hiring Practices

Listen to a conversation between Ryan Boccuzzi, Upper School Director, and Dr. Moore-Southall about how Brentwood School has changed hiring practices to increase diversity in positions across the divisions.

Hiring Practices involve members of our Diversity Council and are structured within a process that seeks cultural competency. We strategically widen our applicant pool in practices focused on increasing diversity, such as the Southern California Diversity Recruitment Fair.

Professional Development

Transitions

Watch a video from Eagle to Eagle mentor Alex F. ’21 about her experience with this inspiring program.

Transitions for our students coming from other communities are thoughtfully planned. Programs like Eagle to Eagle provide one-to-one peer mentoring for new students to welcome them into our community. Additionally, we encourage new students to attend any of our Summer at Brentwood programs, including Eagles Launchpad for middle schoolers, to become familiar with the school before classes begin.

Affinity Groups

Listen to Rahul Y. ’23 talk about his experience with two of our newest Affinity Groups.

Affinity Groups on our campus allow students to share their culture with each other. Support from complimentary Parent Affinity Groups is fostered through quarterly meetings, a leadership retreat, and representation on the Parents Association Executive Board.

For more information, email affinitygroups@bwscampus.com.

Financial Assistance

Programs and Opportunities

Watch a video by Tara Haroutunian, Crayon Club Advisor and Assistant Director of Admissions at the West Campus, explaining the power of sharing family traditions.

Programs and Opportunities to share culture abound on our campus. Whether it is through Student SEED and advisory discussions, the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, Crayon Club, our international partnership with Kyonggi School on the West Campus, our biennial Celebration of Diversity or assemblies throughout the year, students enjoy opportunities to experience each others' culture as well as dive into deeper issues.

Multicultural Center

Admissions and Outreach

Read an article by our K-12 Admissions Teams entitled, Community and Diversity in Admissions.

Admissions and Outreach to communities beyond the Brentwood area allow us to enrich our school community to better represent the communities of Los Angeles. Our partnership with The Independent School Alliance, Young Eisner Scholars, and A Better Chance make it possible for us to meet families from a variety of backgrounds.

The DEI Journey at Brentwood School

Additional Resources

With questions about the DEI Initiative, please contact info@drdamonawilliams.com