Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
At Thacher, we believe the right path forward is a collaborative one, where people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together to envision and enact a community where all members can thrive and realize their full potential in contribution to the greatest good.
We challenge ourselves—on both an individual and institutional level—to remain dedicated to the pursuit of equity and justice. The adults in our community lead by example to foster in our students the desire to be courageous, empathetic, and engaged citizens of the world.
The efforts below outline progress towards commitments made by The Thacher School in 2020. While we will never stop doing this work, we acknowledge that this work is multigenerational. These seeds will bear grape vines for the next generation, and olive trees for generations to come, knowing that fruit can not be harvested at the same time the seed is planted. We are committed to growth.
Completed
- CREATE A MULTICULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER ON CAMPUS.
Completed in 2021. - HIRE A THERAPIST OF COLOR WHO SPECIALIZES IN ISSUES OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI).
Completed in 2022.
ASSEMBLE A DEI TASK FORCE TO GUIDE OUR ONGOING WORK AND TO HOLD THE SCHOOL ACCOUNTABLE.
Completed in 2022.
ENGAGE AN EXTERNAL DEI CONSULTANT TO PROVIDE A FULL AUDIT OF OUR INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AS WELL AS CONDUCT A COMPLETE INVENTORY OF OUR CURRICULUM.
Climate Assessment Reviewing Policies, Practices, and Curriculum Conducted in 2023. Complete inventory of curriculum pending.
Ongoing by Design
IMPLEMENT ANTI-RACIST AND ANTI-BIAS EDUCATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT ALL LEVELS OF THE INSTITUTION.
Ongoing opportunities for professional development and curriculum design with scholars and practitioners including long term work with Dr. Gaye Theresa Johnson as an Anacapa Scholar and Equity Meets Design, and fellowships with the National Endowment for the Humanities.
HIRE ADDITIONAL BIPOC FACULTY AND INCREASE THEIR REPRESENTATION IN LEADERSHIP ROLES AT THACHER.
Including but not limited to ongoing participation in Southern California Diversity Recruitment Fair, Carney Sandoe Diversity Recruitment Fair, NemNet Diversity Recruitment Trainings, POCIS Workshops on Retention of Black and Brown Teachers.
NEVER STOP DOING THE WORK.
Mission Statement
Thacher trains young people in the art of living for their own greatest good and for the greatest good of their fellow citizens in a diverse and changing world. To that end, the School augments its highly challenging academic program with profound lessons learned from the care of a horse, regular chores around the School, teamwork on playing fields, outstanding instruction in the arts, the give and take of everyday life with schoolmates and teachers, and adventures shared in the wilderness. The aim is to inspire and encourage hard work, integrity, self-reliance, a lifelong love of learning and truth, self-knowledge, and a deep concern for the world in which we live.
A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.