Diversity, Inclusion & Equity
Initiatives and Progress
Hamden Hall is committed to ensuring that our campus is an inclusive one with equitable experiences for all. Action items listed below are just some of the initiatives that we are working on and the progress we've made to date. And as transparency lends credibility and authenticity to our efforts, we will continue to share
information on this page.
Initiative
Progress
Conduct a full audit of all reading materials and texts so they represent the diversity of races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientation.
Currently underway as a team of administrators starts the process of examining the English curriculum to be followed by a thorough review of all texts and learning materials used within our divisions.
Create and facilitate affinity programming for BIPOC students, faculty, and alumni.
In progress; affinity groups are already starting to form and meet including the Black Student Union, the Middle School Diversity Club, and an international group for our Chinese students. These new offerings further complement clubs that are already in place such as Pride Alliance, the Upper School Diversity Committee, and Multicultural Student Interests.
Develop and commit consistent, ongoing training in equity and diversity for faculty and students.
In progress; Hamden Hall has been committed to ongoing multicultural and anti-racism training and programming for the last several years including the Everyday Democracy initiative, which fosters a culture of understanding and respect through facilitated dialogue. Additionally, programming for Middle and Upper Schoolers via staged productions in the round promote understanding and a broadening of perspectives. In the Lower School, our Responsive Classroom approach to learning and professional development inherently addresses diversity, inclusion, and equity. Additional resources from Responsive Classroom are being explored.
Commit to making it
a priority to increase
representation of the number of
faculty and staff members of color including in leadership positions within administration and other areas of our community.
Ongoing; At the core of Hamden Hall’s long-term vision for educational excellence is the understanding that diverse perspectives, experiences, ethnicities, and races must be represented among our faculty members to best leverage authentic learning environments that attract and retain a strong and talented student body.
Develop more specific procedures for reporting incidents in which adults and students feel they have been harmed based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or other personal identity characteristics.
In progress; An 11-member Equity & Ethics Committee made up of a cross-section of administrators and faculty members is tasked with investigating and following up on reported incidents. An anonymous email address has also been established to provide a safe space for individuals to bring attention to concerns and/or issues.
Pledge to maintain the school’s commitment to having a diverse student body, including providing need-based financial aid to meet this goal, as well as establishing new funding for affinity group programming.
Ongoing; Hamden Hall is proud of the student diversity found on our campus and will continue to support this area of our school community.
Strengthen our partnerships within the Greater New Haven community through enrichment and outreach programs to provide educational opportunities to non-Hamden Hall families and students.
Hamden Hall’s Beckerman Lecture Series is an ongoing community offering established in 2012 that promotes engaging conversation about topics and themes that shape our world and impact our place in the global community. We have partnered with the ADL for both student and faculty programming as well as sponsored special ADL programs through the Beckerman Lecture Series. In conjunction with our Director of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity and newly formed affinity groups, we reaffirm that future guest speakers and programming will mirror all voices within our school community.
Demonstrate transparency with respect to our work and progress related to inclusion and equity.
We continue to disseminate information in a timely manner through a number of communication vehicles including our bi-monthly enewsletter, Hamden Hall Happenings, and our website, which features an exclusive section titled Commitment to Diversity.