Disappointed with lack of diversity at a top school

[Anonymous]

Private schools are not privvy to the same benefits that a true non-profit is and they don't receive huge tax breaks. The simple truth is that if a school doesn't have the money, they go under. No one other than the Board and the parents are going to keep them afloat.

Schools have to be run like businesses. And quite frankly, non-profits have to be run like businesses. The fact that an organization is non-profit or not doesn't mean it is or is not a business.

7:31 - Re the "troll": If you reread the posts, it is most likely she did not attend one of those schools. That's what the ruckus is about.

So here's the question: We talk about diversity and how schools are either diverse or not. Are there figures? What makes a school diverse or not? What percentages will make people happy?

Additionally, do we even have a definition of diversity? Some people might say it's only racial while others might say it's economic. Still, others might think it also includes lifestyle and religion. Have we considered that a school might be very diverse but appear not to be if we are only going on a visual check? Religious, monetary and lifestyle differences are not apparent if you are simply looking around at other parents or kids.

We really can't have a discussion of substance until parameters are set. Let's not allow anger and assumptions to override a substantive discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With due respct, private schools are not a "business." They are non-profits that receive huge tax breaks because of this charitable status they claim. As a result they have a legal and moral obligation to actually implement the diversity policies that they all brag about on their web sites and to the IRS. And the only reason that a "majority" of families dont care too much about this issue at these schools is because the majority are insular white families that could give two hoots about diversity. Im glad we are back on the original OP issue because now the really insulting, racist feelings get posted. As a minority parent, I intend to keep fighting for this issue. All that Andover-Exeter debate that had happened previously was totally off point, this issue is very ON point. But, why the heck is everyone so defensive about some troll saying that she liked her boarding school. Im sure she did. Im sure that there are plenty of folks who liked the Big Three, and plenty also who did not. I am really stunned how so many of you eally dont care that the schools are so not diverse. Minority parents always had a sneaking concern that all the talk of diversity was just "lip service," now now I am certain that this is true. Worst nightmares realized!

Okay. How exactly are you fighting to improve diversity policies at your child's school or at private schools? And, how the heck do you change the attitudes of the majority of "insular" white families at these schools who really could careless about the diversity at their child's school?

School admin have very limited control over the attitudes of families who are not interested in mingling with those outside of their social circles. Yes, they're insular and I would say quite comfortable being cocooned away from the "others."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Private schools are not privvy to the same benefits that a true non-profit is and they don't receive huge tax breaks. The simple truth is that if a school doesn't have the money, they go under. No one other than the Board and the parents are going to keep them afloat.

Schools have to be run like businesses. And quite frankly, non-profits have to be run like businesses. The fact that an organization is non-profit or not doesn't mean it is or is not a business.

7:31 - Re the "troll": If you reread the posts, it is most likely she did not attend one of those schools. That's what the ruckus is about.

So here's the question: We talk about diversity and how schools are either diverse or not. Are there figures? What makes a school diverse or not? What percentages will make people happy?

Additionally, do we even have a definition of diversity? Some people might say it's only racial while others might say it's economic. Still, others might think it also includes lifestyle and religion. Have we considered that a school might be very diverse but appear not to be if we are only going on a visual check? Religious, monetary and lifestyle differences are not apparent if you are simply looking around at other parents or kids.

We really can't have a discussion of substance until parameters are set. Let's not allow anger and assumptions to override a substantive discussion.

OP's assessment of her school's lack of diversity is assumed by a visual check - overwhelmingly non-white and lacking of any noticeable economic diversity. Most people (minority/those who care about diversity) will evaluate an environment by using a visual check.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Private schools are not privvy to the same benefits that a true non-profit is and they don't receive huge tax breaks. The simple truth is that if a school doesn't have the money, they go under. No one other than the Board and the parents are going to keep them afloat.

Schools have to be run like businesses. And quite frankly, non-profits have to be run like businesses. The fact that an organization is non-profit or not doesn't mean it is or is not a business.

7:31 - Re the "troll": If you reread the posts, it is most likely she did not attend one of those schools. That's what the ruckus is about.

So here's the question: We talk about diversity and how schools are either diverse or not. Are there figures? What makes a school diverse or not? What percentages will make people happy?

Additionally, do we even have a definition of diversity? Some people might say it's only racial while others might say it's economic. Still, others might think it also includes lifestyle and religion. Have we considered that a school might be very diverse but appear not to be if we are only going on a visual check? Religious, monetary and lifestyle differences are not apparent if you are simply looking around at other parents or kids.

We really can't have a discussion of substance until parameters are set. Let's not allow anger and assumptions to override a substantive discussion.

OP's assessment of her school's lack of diversity is assumed by a visual check - overwhelmingly non-white and lacking of any noticeable economic diversity. Most people (minority/those who care about diversity) will evaluate an environment by using a visual check.

meant overwhelmingly white

[Anonymous]

To think that diversity is solely based upon one element (such as skin color or religion) is to not support the real meaning of diversity as schools and other organizations see it. No wonder you may be unhappy with what you see!

It is increasingly more and more difficult to differentiate racial makeup as this country shows a huge increase in the mixing of racial backgrounds.

Case in point - my sister (blond, blue eyes, very fair skin) married a Latino (dark skin, black eyes and hair). Their daughter identifies with her Latino heritage. She has light brown hair, hazel eyes and medium fair skin. If you saw her at Holton, you'd think she was only Caucasian.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, if your school manages to achieve diversity and still look overwhelmingly blonde and white, I've got serious questions about how they're defining diversity. That doesn't happen inadvertantly. Paper bag test anyone?

[Anonymous]

9:34 didn't say anything about blond hair/blue eyed kids, 9:52. You need to go back and read it. It's all about how many aspects of diversity are no longer readily apparent visibly.

I find it interesting that one (maybe 2?) posters are defining it solely by racial standards and not including the many other aspects.

Maybe you should go to your school and ask them how diversity is defined. If this is an issue that so concerns you, why are not on their Diversity Committee to help formulate policy and awareness?

[Anonymous]

9:52 here. OP specifically mentioned blondes and there have been a number of subsequent posts claiming that even though everyone at a school may look white, there could be lots of diversity. I question whether that could be both true and unintentional. Either the school is not diverse or it only appreciates kinds of diversity that don't challenge its essential whiteness.

FWIW, my DC already goes to a diverse school. I know the various ways in which the school defines and supports diversity. And the school has remained quite obviously/visually diverse even as its definition of diversity has become even more expansive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it interesting that one (maybe 2?) posters are defining it solely by racial standards and not including the many other aspects. Maybe you should go to your school and ask them how diversity is defined.

Could you explain how you define diversity other than by race/ethnicity? I assume you mean by things like religion, economic resources, and "lifestyle" issues? If so, are you proposing that schools should essentially require applicants to provide details about these aspects of their lives, so that the schools can ensure proper diversity in these areas?

I imagine there might be some problems if schools had questions on the applications along the lines of "What religion are you?" and "Are either of the applicant's parents gay/lesbian?" or "What is your income?"

[Anonymous]

Income comes up in the context of financial aid. Sexual orientation comes up in contexts where both parents are identified (forms, interviews).

Schools can support these kinds of diversity by creating welcoming environments (both learning environments and social environments). Curriculum, school celebrations/ clubs/public service projects/field trips, and faculty demographics all give you an idea as to whether the ways in which your family differs from the mainstream will be acknowledged and appreciated. At that point, it's largely a matter or self-identification and self-selection.

[Anonymous]

I have to say that when I filled out 4 apps last year, they asked everything about us. Nuclear unit is one of those categories clearly indicated. We're asked about our jobs, college education and religion amond other things. Don't forget - schools don't have to ask you alot. They can simply google you to find out more.

From an admissions person, I'm told that many families will happily indicate their diversity to help give them an apps advantage if the school does not already know this info.

I find it interesting that so many posters are upset here but yet do not indicate they know their school's diversity policy or sit on a committee. As a former PTA President and overseeing our Diversity Committee, I'd love to see as many warm bodies as possible offering to help.

[Anonymous]

As a former PTA President and overseer of your Diversity Committee, do you think all private schools ought to include application questions asking "What religion?", "What sexual orientation?" (not necessarily same as whether there is a male father and female mother listed on app), and "What's your HHI?"?

Questions like this on an application would actually disturb me. I'd be even more disturbed to learn that all local private schools are google-stalking parents of all applicants, and then making assumptions that they use in admissions decisions. For example, if some admissions person finds Facebook pictures of my DH at "South Beach Bear Weekend 1998," are you thinking they should classify our family as part-gay and make admissions decisions based on that? Just doesn't make much sense to me.

[Anonymous]

The biggest issue out there in the news is people getting deep-sixed for what they put out there electronically. I certainly would want to know if someone I was going to accept to my school or biz could create trouble. Maybe it's all innocent but it does bring light to the person's judgement - or lack of....

Have you thought that many of the questions that are asked on apps are for diversity reasons? Geez, you want diversity but don't want the questions. Should schools invest in crystal balls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The biggest issue out there in the news is people getting deep-sixed for what they put out there electronically. I certainly would want to know if someone I was going to accept to my school or biz could create trouble. Maybe it's all innocent but it does bring light to the person's judgement - or lack of....

Have you thought that many of the questions that are asked on apps are for diversity reasons? Geez, you want diversity but don't want the questions. Should schools invest in crystal balls?

PTA President, is that you? You can call me Bear. I don't think you answered whether you think the applications should directly ask all these questions, so that schools can truly make "diversity" decisions based on these factors. I actually don't think schools should really place much weight (if any) on these non-race diversity factors, because they're just too hard to identify accurately and evaluate fairly without intrusive application questions. If schools really want to ensure this degree of diversity, then they need to ask these intrusive questions (or rely on google-stalking). But in my opinion, your income/religion/orientation is frankly none of my business, and mine is none of yours, whether or not our kids go to the same school. I don't think the schools my family might apply to have any business asking those questions either.

[Anonymous]

We still seem to be dancing around the issue of what constitutes diversity. Everyone is complaining but no one is offering solutions.

So, what constitutes true diversity? What do you have to see in order to be happy? You have to name it to claim it.