Which religious schools in VA are inclusive/LGBTQ-affirming?

[Anonymous]

We're considering a religious private school for our two little ones, but it's important to us that the school is inclusive (we are a 2-mom family). Are there any religious private schools that are LGBTQ-affirming?

Our Savior Lutheran School, for instance, is associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod which is most certainly not LGBTQ-affirming, but the school's website also advertises a "tolerant and inclusive" environment. I don't live in the area yet so I can't tour the school and ask the question outright. I'm curious about your thoughts.

I see a few non-religious private schools that advertise their commitment to inclusivity, some of them even explicitly stating "sexual orientation" in their non-discrimination policy (like Grace Episcopal School in Alexandria). For this reason a non-religious private school is our first choice, but I don't want to rule out all the religious schools if we don't have to.

Thank you for your insight!

[Anonymous]

I'm confused. Are you considering Grace Episcopal to be a non-religious school? I think the name makes it clear that they are religious.

I would also look at SSSAS, a school with a long history of inclusiveness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're considering a religious private school for our two little ones, but it's important to us that the school is inclusive (we are a 2-mom family). Are there any religious private schools that are LGBTQ-affirming?

Our Savior Lutheran School, for instance, is associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod which is most certainly not LGBTQ-affirming, but the school's website also advertises a "tolerant and inclusive" environment[i]. I don't live in the area yet so I can't tour the school and ask the question outright. I'm curious about your thoughts.

I see a few non-religious private schools that advertise their commitment to inclusivity, some of them even explicitly stating "sexual orientation" in their non-discrimination policy (like Grace Episcopal School in Alexandria). For this reason a non-religious private school is our first choice, but I don't want to rule out all the religious schools if we don't have to.

Thank you for your insight!

I agree with the poster about confirming the candidate schools have a history of actual exclusivity. A school policy can simply be marketing. What the school, or any organization, wants to stand for can be far from whats accepted by the student body and parents. BTDT!

After DCUM, I'd suggest reaching out to a nearby Unitarian church/minster for recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're considering a religious private school for our two little ones, but it's important to us that the school is inclusive (we are a 2-mom family). Are there any religious private schools that are LGBTQ-affirming?

Our Savior Lutheran School, for instance, is associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod which is most certainly not LGBTQ-affirming, but the school's website also advertises a "tolerant and inclusive" environment[i]. I don't live in the area yet so I can't tour the school and ask the question outright. I'm curious about your thoughts.

I see a few non-religious private schools that advertise their commitment to inclusivity, some of them even explicitly stating "sexual orientation" in their non-discrimination policy (like Grace Episcopal School in Alexandria). For this reason a non-religious private school is our first choice, but I don't want to rule out all the religious schools if we don't have to.

Thank you for your insight!

I agree with the poster about confirming the candidate schools have a history of actual exclusivity. A school policy can simply be marketing. What the school, or any organization, wants to stand for can be far from whats accepted by the student body and parents. BTDT!

After DCUM, I'd suggest reaching out to a nearby Unitarian church/minster for recommendations.

DOH! ...history of actual inclusivity!

[Anonymous]

All great advice. Thanks, all.

[Anonymous]

I’m just the nanny but I work for a gay couple in Alexandria and their family has been very happy at SSSAS. The other school that I really loved for inclusivity was Burgundy Farm (but it’s not a great location for us).

When I was doing tours (I did most of the school enrollment research process for them and then gave them a spreadsheet so they only toured our top choices), I would very frankly say, “This is a family with two dads. How do you feel they would fit into your current student body?” Wait and don’t rush their answer. You will get a good sense. Then follow up with “Do you have other LGBTQ parents or students? Do you think one of them be willing to talk to me about their experience?”

[Anonymous]

I have a child at SSSAS and I can confirm that they are extremely supportive and inclusive for LGBTQ and transgender kids