Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
EIB Mission Statement
It is our responsibility as members of the Indian Mountain community to be courageous and intentional in fostering an educational environment that gives voice and agency to people of all identifiers, such as race, ethnicity, gender, religion, class, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, physical ability, family structure, and the intersection of these identities. We aim to understand and dismantle causes of systemic oppression that benefit privileged groups and create barriers for marginalized identities. Furthermore, members of the IMS community commit to assessing their own implicit biases in order to prevent individual acts of discrimination.
IMS strives to prepare our students to live in a diverse and dynamic world with honesty, compassion, and respect by committing to these community principles:
- Promoting understanding and awareness,
- Identifying and addressing bias,
- Honoring qualities of justice,
- Actively listening to the experiences of others,
- Embracing all identities and cultures,
- Respecting multiple perspectives and contributions,
- Valuing the dignity of all.
Our Commitment
In the spring of 2020, we asked our students: What does “Be The Change” mean for you?
Seeing Ourselves
- We define diversity as a set of unique identities and cultures within a community. Ours is such a community, representing many unique countries, numerous cultures, languages, and religious beliefs.
- We know that it is not enough to just possess a diverse community. It is our responsibility to strive for equity. We must be introspective and respectfully engage each other to identify and undo barriers that may oppress marginalized identities. It is the responsibility of each and every member of our community, near and far, to nurture a compassionate mindset and commit to fixing injustice.
- At IMS, inclusion represents a sense of belonging and respect that allows each member of our community to be their best. This sense of belonging that one feels at IMS is not accidental, but is rather a byproduct of consistent effort, active listening, and proactive education. Our motto for the 2019-20 school year was, “We are better together.” It embodied our focus on inclusion. Looking ahead, we strive to continue cultivating an environment in which all identities are welcomed, supported, and celebrated.
“The heart of justice is truth telling, seeing ourselves and the world the way it is rather than the way we want it to be."
Be the Change
The EIB program is designed for all of our students from Pre-K to Grade 9. We are committed to Be the Change and Raise the B.A.R. (with Bravery, Action and Resilience). We understand that to achieve real change we must have a foundational awareness and commitment to action. The work is ongoing, and since the inception of this program we have introduced numerous initiatives that include:
- Affinity groups
- EIB curricular development
- Faculty professional development
- Tailored residential activities
- Community culture building activities
- Weekly morning meeting shares
- A Social Justice student group