Our Community
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Children learn best, and flourish most, when they encounter perspectives, people, backgrounds, and experiences other than their own. Diversity, equity, and inclusion speak to our highest ideals for a just society.
Cultural Literacy
Cultural Literacy is the ability to communicate across cultures and boundaries in order to interact fluidly among people of different social, ethnic and economic backgrounds. It is one of the four foundational literacies of our Envision Our Future Strategic Plan that establishes the Learning Outcomes for Curtis students.
List of 5 items.
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Pedagogy
We commit to expanding our language program, formally implementing an anti-bias curriculum, and continuing to develop an experiential education program that challenges students to broaden their perspectives and understanding of the world they live in. -
Staffing
We commit to creating a holistic enrollment management model that attracts, retains, and supports a community as diverse as the Los Angeles community. -
Technology
We commit to empowering students to use technology as a tool for civic engagement and narrative change by understanding the intersection of technology and social justice. -
Facilities
We commit to a campus that integrates 21st century learning skills, is accessible to relevant ommunity organizations, and models the best practices in environmental stewardship. -
Community
We commit to creating partnerships and networks that expand our community's world view and self-understanding, including expanded options for providing support for the school.
Anti-Bias Goals for Learning
Our Anti-Bias framework teaches and prepares students to engage in critical self-reflection, to understand that feeling discomfort is part of the anti-bias journey, and to respect each other’s identities.
List of 3 items.
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Philosophy
The goal of the Anti-Bias Task Force at Curtis School is to promote awareness and acceptance, affirm equity, and take an active stance against bias in our community. We believe that an anti-bias perspective is a proactive approach. We teach children to respect every family’s background, while introducing cultural competency skills to young children in a way that addresses the impact of social stereotypes, bias, and discrimination. We acknowledge that we all have bias and we teach children to recognize and act against it. Our Anti-Bias framework teaches and prepares students to engage in critical self-reflection, to understand that feeling discomfort is part of the anti-bias journey, and to respect each other’s identities. -
Essential Questions
- How can we provide a learning environment that is free of misinformation and stereotypes and rich in diverse perspectives?
- How can we use real-time personal narratives to facilitate discussions with students and families about differences and bias? How do we partner with families around these conversations?
- How do we provide regular opportunities for a wide range of anti-bias workshop lessons?
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Learning Goals
- Identity: Students will demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social identities; students will discuss their identities with asset-based language.
- Diversity: Students will express understanding and appreciation with human diversity; will use respectful language for differences; and, will engage in deep, caring connections with all members of their school community.
- Justice: Students will increasingly recognize stereotypes, bias and discrimination, have the language and space to discuss and process it, and understand that they can change inequities.
- Action: Students will demonstrate empowerment and the skills to act, with others or alone, against prejudice &/or discriminatory actions.
Parents Group on Inclusivity
PGI is a discussion group that provides a forum for Curtis parents and guardians to explore topics related to equity and inclusivity. All parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in PGI.
PGI offers a unique opportunity to focus on what we can do to teach our children how to value people—all aspects of people, including race, class, gender, religion, ability, and more. Through PGI, parents can openly share their stories, ideas, and experiences in an effort to support each other and the development of our children as 21st century global citizens, who utilize empathy, inquiry, and self-reflection as key skills to interact in the world.
PGI offers a unique opportunity to focus on what we can do to teach our children how to value people—all aspects of people, including race, class, gender, religion, ability, and more. Through PGI, parents can openly share their stories, ideas, and experiences in an effort to support each other and the development of our children as 21st century global citizens, who utilize empathy, inquiry, and self-reflection as key skills to interact in the world.
