Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

This was by far the most diverse community I saw when I was considering schools for my child. Socioeconomic, racial, religious diversity - it's not just a goal here, it's a reality.

-Lower School Parent

Our Diversity Mission

We embrace the School's mission to foster an understanding of and respect for the diversity that has made our society strong, as part of our effort to provide our students an excellent education. Serving the East Bay community in one of the most diverse areas of the country, we affirm:

  • Our belief that a school community rich in diversity provides the greatest opportunity for students to learn life's lessons, and we affirm our commitment to attracting students, faculty, administration, and staff who reflect that diversity
  • Our vision of a school as a truly welcoming and supportive community that values the dignity and worth of each individual member
  • Our practice of inclusion, beginning with our policy not to discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status
  • Our commitment to an inclusive educational program and pedagogy that promotes respect for others, appreciation of individual, cultural and socioeconomic differences, and social responsibility, equity, and justice
  • Our hope that our students will gain a greater understanding of themselves and of others' different perspectives and an ability to think deeply about our diverse society
  • Our effort to foster a global perspective so that our students can appreciate world cultures, analyze global issues, understand interconnectedness, evaluate conflicts and their resolution, and take action for positive change, and
  • Our desire to prepare our students to be democratic leaders, inspired by our ideal of civic purpose, in an interdependent, pluralistic, multicultural community.

 

Approved by the Board of Trustees 11/17/05

 

Our Philosophy

Reflecting our location in Oakland, we have a diverse student body, with over half of our students identifying as people of color.

We believe a school community rich in diversity provides the greatest opportunity for students to learn life's lessons. We are committed to respecting, nurturing, and promoting diversity and its importance in the education and development of our students and the well-being of our community.

We seek to develop multicultural leadership among the professional community and students. We are proud of our inclusive educational program and pedagogy that promotes respect for others, appreciation of individual, cultural and socioeconomic differences; and social responsibility, equity, and justice.

Groups & Clubs

To support our families, the School sponsors a variety of affinity groups:

  • African American Family Network
  • Asian Parents Network
  • Latino Family Network
  • Gender and Sexuality Diversity Network
  • Learning Differences Network

Middle and lower school students participate in multicultural clubs. Upper school students run a variety of clubs based on backgrounds, orientations, and interests, including:

  • Asia Club
  • Black Student Union
  • Gender Sexuality Diversity
  • Indian Culture Club
  • Latinos Unidos

 

NIA Endowed Scholarship for Students of Color

 

NIA is the Swahili word meaning “purpose.” NIA encourages us to look within ourselves and set goals that are beneficial to the community. It represents our hopes and dreams for the future of our children and future of Head-Royce. As a group of parents, faculty and administrators, we collectively strive to foster community spirit within Head-Royce while building partnerships with community groups, individuals and businesses.

NIA was established in 2003 when four Head-Royce mothers met to discuss how they could contribute and support the three tenets of the Head-Royce mission — scholarship, diversity and citizenship. It was decided to host an annual speakers event that would be open to the Head-Royce and greater Oakland community. These founding members also had an equally important goal to establish an endowed scholarship to support the tuition for students of color admitted to Head-Royce School.