Anonymous wrote:I am a Maret student, and I hope I can answer your questions. I am not AA, so I can't talk about what it's like having that experience, but I have several close friends who are either AA or other minorities. In Lower and Middle school, there was little to no segregation among kids along racial lines. The class size was simply too small for that and I don't think it ever happened; people made friends with whomever. However, as I've gotten older and the more people have joined the grade, I have noticed this trend has become more apparent. I can't compare the amount of segregation at Maret to other schools because I've never attended another school, but it does not seem to me that there is more than average. There are no students who are only friends with people of their own race. And the fact that self-segregation only began occurring as we got older and got new students seems to me to mean that it is not a function of the school, but of the way high school students act today.
Maret is also a very open place to discuss any discomfort people have about social issues like this. For the past couple weeks there has been an optional lunch meeting to discus race relations and next Thursday we will have a "Mixed Forum" held after school. Teachers, students, and parents can attend the Mixed Forum to discuss the topic, which is "Relations across Differences" this year. Last year it was the sexualization of the media. We also have an active club called Diversity at Maret. I actually hear students discussing the social dynamic across races, which makes the environment more comfortable and accepting.
The clubs and discussions I just mentioned are for Upper School students, but I have noticed an increase in diversity among Lower School students. I think Maret has been doing a good job of creating a school where these "awkward situations" you speak of are becoming increasingly infrequent.
I hope this helps and I hope your child goes to Maret!
OP here . This is very helpful. You are a great ambassador for the school!
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