Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Grauer School is committed to continually assessing our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and Belongingness (DEIJB) policies. This has to be done uniquely on our campus, to fit with our core values and evolve as necessary to be equitable.
Dr. Stuart Grauer, Founder and Head of School, shared our DEIJB commitment in one of his weekly columns, entitled “Who Do We Choose To Be?” This document provides guidance for our community as we use "the Grauer edge" to guide this process, and continue to deepen the connections and sense of belonging so treasured in our community.
Diversity and Inclusion at Grauer
The Grauer School was founded on the values of connection, inclusion and support. These characteristics are prioritized above all else, which is critical to developing a more diverse community. Continued research and observation verifies that, year after year, Grauer students are appreciated for who they are, and they are celebrated for who they want to become. With belongingness and inclusion as our starting place, Grauer students feel safe and accepted, which frees them up to engage with the joys of learning and the discoveries of growing up.
Each year, students respond to surveys about how they are feeling, and to determine whether we are living up to our promises. In the fall of 2022, Grauer students participated in the Challenge Success surveys, developed by researchers at Stanford University and normed against schools nationwide. Among other things, students answered questions about their feelings of support, belonging, and respect for diversity at school. We compared their responses to those from students at other small, medium, and large schools, as you can see in the charts below.
Assessing and Promoting DEI
Historically, DEI at Grauer has been more about connection with one another than about social change or politics. In fact, we assess key elements of this every year: sense of belongingness and general inclusion, sense of emotional safety, sense of community, and sense of acceptance. We also support student social activism.
The Grauer School has a diverse set of kids with families from all over the world who make learning more interesting with new perspectives. We would highly recommend Grauer to anyone who has children who are thirsty for knowledge and want to excel in school.”
– Grauer Parent
What else are we doing already to promote inclusion and diversity of interaction on campus? We develop curricula, clubs, programs and assemblies, logos and imagery, faculty, training, board members, investments, enrollment management and demographics, financial assistance and tuition, surrounding community, school purposes and values, and we can focus on each of these as we:
- Assess diversity: What groups and backgrounds of people are represented on our campus, and why?
- Assess equity (not to be confused with equality): Are we free from bias or favoritism?
- Assess inclusion: Who gets access to our amazing programs, culture, and campus? Are people being excluded unknowingly, and why?
- Assess social justice on campus: Do some among us seem privileged or entitled? Did they earn it?
- Assess sense of belongingness: Are people and groups on campus feeling connected? And if we assess this deeply, does it cover all the others?
Grauer students are receiving around twice the amount of ethnic studies as mandated by the State of California.
Read The Grauer School's Survey of Ethnic Studies
Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance; belonging is wanting to keep dancing.
We will have regular additions to this page as our DEIJB advisory board identifies and catalogs initiatives and achievements.
The Grauer School is a member of the SoCal People of Color in Independent Schools (SoCal POCIS) organization, which gives professionals in education the resources to foster a more open, welcoming culture utilizing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives to create positive change and address unconscious bias. They provide member schools throughout Southern California, including The Grauer School, with:
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshops and speaker events
- Networking opportunities amongst independent school administrators and educators
- Jobs board to attract and recruit diverse talent
- Diverse curriculum recommendations for BIPOC students, parents, and faculty
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
The Grauer School, operated by the Grauer Foundation for Education, admits students, hires employees, and appoints/elects trustees of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students and employees at the school. Within its mission and normal programming, it does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, genetic characteristics, race/national origin, religion, actual or perceived gender or sexual orientation in administration of its hiring policies, educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.