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Diversity
In our mission statement, we pledge to graduate students who are at “ease beyond their borders”; that is, students who have the cultural competencies necessary to engage with and serve in communities other than their own. Whether those borders are defined by race, culture, physical ability, socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation or or any other measures of identity, Avenues fosters an environment where students learn to connect across differences—both in and out of the classroom.
Our community
34
Countries represented
40
Languages spoken
59%
Students of color
24%
Historically underrepresented students of color
180+
Zip codes represented
21%
Students receiving financial aid
Christopher Mizell
Diversity Cabinet Member and Associate Division Head, Upper Division
Our Diversity Framework
Our core principles serve as the anchor in our work on diversity, guiding our efforts to cultivate an inclusive community where every individual is valued and respected. These values are integral to fostering a sense of belonging and promoting equity throughout the Avenues experience.
We are a pluralist community.
As a pluralistic community, we practice acceptance of and respect for one another's full cultural selves. We acknowledge and celebrate our diversity in all its forms: cultural, generational, socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, geographical, philosophical, and political, including those related to gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, and more.
Our inclusion practices focus on building cultural competence.
Cultural competence refers to the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact with people from cultures or belief systems different from one's own. The skills and awareness of cultural competence apply whether visiting a foreign continent or interacting with those different from you in your own community. In order to be at ease beyond their borders, our students must build cultural competence through trial and error, with the guidance of excellent teachers and supportive parents
Progress in pluralistic communities is slow and difficult work.
Pluralism can be difficult work. It requires learning, patience, and understanding. Today, anywhere on the globe, various groups, cultures, and religions are grappling with what it means to coexist peacefully and effectively. At Avenues, we embrace the challenge. Our community does not exist in a vacuum. Avenues is situated in a city and country with a rich and complex history. Our mission as a world school uniquely positions our community to serve as a model for peaceful and productive coexistence and engagement across multiple lines of difference, locally and globally.
Every adult at Avenues is accountable for supporting belonging and inclusion.
Belonging is defined as the fundamental human need to feel like a part of a group or community. One’s sense of belonging is influenced by many factors, explicit and implicit. At Avenues, we seek to nurture a culture where all students, families, faculty, and guests feel a sense of belonging and welcome. We recognize that creating a thriving culture of belonging requires focused coordination, cooperation, and perspective across various dimensions of our organization. Because of this, at Avenues, all have a role in supporting belonging and inclusion. The adults, in particular, are accountable for supporting belonging and inclusion.
We focus on what schools do best.
We care for our students’ physical and psychological safety, and therefore we respond to harmful incidents promptly and directly. We strive to build resilience in our students, developing the mental and emotional skills to navigate the inevitable challenges and conflicts that life will present. We seek to provide safety without creating fragility. We focus on sharpening our students’ core literacies. Some familiar literacies are numeracy, language, science, and reading. However, students also need to practice crucial skills such as listening, communication, and empathy in order to uphold welcome, safety, and respect. Thus, cultural competence and social-emotional learning are crucial forms of literacy that help Avenues students live out the Avenues mission of becoming world-wise leaders.
Our Diversity Cabinet
Meet our cross-functional Diversity Cabinet, a dedicated team of leaders representing every division at Avenues. This group works collaboratively to advance equity and inclusion across all areas of the school, ensuring that every individual in our community is valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Building Community
Upper Division
- Asians @ Avenues
- Avenues Anti-Racist Association
- Black Student Union
- DEI Committee
- Gender Sexuality Alliance
- Indian Community Club
- Jewish Culture Club
- Latin American Student Union
- Men of Color Association
- Sisterhood
- Women of Color Association
Lower Division
- APISA (Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian/American)
- Black/African-American Club
- Jewish Culture Club
- Latin-Heritage Club
- Mixed Race Club
