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 in our community brings something different. Their unique background and personal experiences represent something different—a value added to our community. 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.

Welcome from Dr. Trina Moore-Southall

Brentwood is intent, purposeful, and strategic about honoring people in all their differences. Not only is that reflected in Diversity as a core value, but we have crafted a separate Diversity Mission Statement in order to emphasize this important commitment by the school. My role is to ensure that equity and inclusion is a component of everything we do.

Read our mission statement

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 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.

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?”

Hiring Practices
Professional Development
Transitions
Affinity Groups
Financial Assistance
Programs and Opportunities
Multicultural Center
Admissions and Outreach

Hiring Practices

Hiring Practices involve members of our Diversity Council and are structured with 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

Professional Development opportunities for our faculty and staff include Pollyanna, Visions, SEED, and the People of Color Conference.

Transitions

Transitions for our students coming from other communities are thoughtfully planned. Programs like our Eagle to Eagle, Summer experiences, and Eagles Launchpad offer peer mentors for new students to welcome them into our community.

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

Financial Assistance for families extends beyond the cost of tuition to include school trips, materials, events, and activities. It is our desire to decrease financial barriers for full participation in the Brentwood School community. Read more

Programs and Opportunities

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, or our biennial Celebration of Diversity, students enjoy opportunities to experience each others' culture as well as dive into deeper issues.

Multicultural Center

The Multicultural Center on the East Campus is designed as a place of belonging for all of our students. It houses the Offices of both the Director and Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion, and also serves as a hub of communication for all programs and initiatives in support of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Admissions and Outreach

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.

Additional Resources