Following months of input from the school community, feedback from constituents, and intensive work by a Board of Trustees-appointed task force, Blue Ridge School has put forth a comprehensive plan for addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice as an educational institution and a member of the greater community.
In September 2020, Blue Ridge School’s Board of Trustees and its leadership and community affirmed that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice were integral to the mission of the School. The Board formed a DEIJ task force, which included two members of the Board, four faculty, and three alumni, with the broad intent of improving the School’s community where DEIJ is not just acknowledged but is a cultural pillar to which the School is continually committed. The task force immediately began evaluating DEIJ as it pertains to Blue Ridge School’s governance, recruiting and retention, student life, faculty life, and more. The task force seeks to identify areas for improvement, including advancing current strengths and addressing shortcomings, and making recommendations for continued progress to the Headmaster and Board of Trustees.
Headmaster Trip Darrin states, “Blue Ridge School has a long and proud history. We seek to strengthen the School to ensure our mission continues to be a positive force for students, parents, alumni, teachers, and staff. This evaluation is only the first step in what will undoubtedly be a lengthy process that includes gathering information from many constituencies, conducting research and training, and creating a fulsome framework with lasting benefits for our students and our greater community.”
In July 2021 the Board of Trustees approved the following statement of support for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice:
Blue Ridge School is an all-boys boarding school where students thrive in an intentionally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. Employees and students alike benefit from the experience of learning, living, teaching, and working alongside others from a multitude of backgrounds. While remaining an all-boys boarding school, diversity at Blue Ridge encompasses an array of ethnicities and races, family structures, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, ages, sexual orientation, abilities, countries of origin, native languages, traditions, religions, learning styles and differences and their intersections.
To be an inclusive community means that we respect and embrace each person’s values and understand the impact of these values. We recognize that simply existing in a diverse community will not automatically result in the inclusive culture we seek to create. Cultural engagement allows students and faculty to consider different perspectives and enriches both the teaching and learning experience. Cultural engagement also drives innovation and fosters creativity. Therefore, we purposefully promote inclusion across all of our programs, and nurture a supportive, encouraging, and affirming environment that celebrates individuality. We seek to help our students become capable and engaged citizens.
We are committed to diversity as an immersive experience and encourage challenging conversations that promote growth and learning and that help us achieve our goal of graduating culturally competent students who will be equipped to act as leaders in advancing equity and justice.
Ultimately, we endeavor to impart the fundamental truth that every person is valuable and worthy of respect.
Blue Ridge School’s position as an all-boys, all-boarding school gives us a rare opportunity to showcase the benefits of a diverse and equitable community and to potentially provide a pathway for other organizations to follow. Each year we welcome students of many different socioeconomic, religious, ethnic, and personal backgrounds. They live, eat, learn, and play together. They see one another not so much as a profile but as a person. Jill Kalinski, Chair of the Board of Trustees, states, “We are committed to welcoming and honoring the uniqueness of each student, faculty member, and leader. The Blue Ridge family and mission thrives when it is diverse, inclusive, equitable, and just.”
Learn more about diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice at Blue Ridge School here.
