Redwood Day is an independent, diverse K-8 school | 510.534.0800
About Us
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
As a community, we work together to make the world a more just and inclusive place for everyone.
At Redwood Day, we inspire students to embrace and honor differences and develop the emotional courage to respect and appreciate the diversity within our community and beyond. Through engaging in our program, we want every student to be seen and heard, feel safe and valued, and experience belonging. We want students to see, hear, support, and value others while fostering active allyship. Redwood Day embeds cultural competence, equity and inclusivity, and social justice throughout our curriculum and programming for students and adults.
We view diversity broadly, and much of our curriculum and programming reflects this in developmentally appropriate ways, focusing on topics such as ability, age, appearance, family structure, gender identity and expression, language, nationality, race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic circumstance. Redwood Day’s diversity philosophy also informs our admissions and hiring practices.
At Redwood Day, we inspire students to embrace and honor differences and develop the emotional courage to respect and appreciate the diversity within our community and beyond. Through engaging in our program, we want every student to be seen and heard, feel safe and valued, and experience belonging. We want students to see, hear, support, and value others while fostering active allyship. Redwood Day embeds cultural competence, equity and inclusivity, and social justice throughout our curriculum and programming for students and adults.
We view diversity broadly, and much of our curriculum and programming reflects this in developmentally appropriate ways, focusing on topics such as ability, age, appearance, family structure, gender identity and expression, language, nationality, race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic circumstance. Redwood Day’s diversity philosophy also informs our admissions and hiring practices.
Student Diversity at Redwood Day
- 52% identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)
- 13% identify as Asian/Pacific Islander/South Asian
- 5% identify as Black/Caribbean/African American
- 1% identify as Latinx/Hispanic
- 37% identify as White
- 5% identify as gender expansive
- 4% of families identify as LGBTQ+
- 43% identify as Multiracial [Fig. 1.]
Unique to Redwood Day is our approach to community building through our K-8 Equity and Inclusion Groups. We’ve created dedicated time during the school day for students, faculty, and staff to engage in intentional discussions about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our curriculum is rooted in the Social Justice Standards, a set of anchor standards and age-appropriate learning outcomes divided into four domains — identity, diversity, justice, and action. Grades K-2 focus on exploring and celebrating identity and diversity, learning about themselves, and others. Grades 3-5 continue with identity and diversity, adding justice, and action, as students learn to recognize and understand different perspectives, intersectionality, explore stereotypes, abilities, and privilege. This foundation sets the stage for deeper exploration in grades 6-8 when students meet in identity-based affinity groups focused on ability, race, gender identity and expression, and intersectionality.
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Affinity Groups
Affinity groups provide support, connection, and affirmation to people whose identities may differ from the majority population and culture. Beyond Equity and Inclusion groups, we also offer student-led affinity groups for Middle School. Student leaders receive training on meeting facilitation and lesson planning and are supervised by a faculty/staff member. Current groups offered include:- Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA)
- People of Color (POC)
Faculty and staff meet in race-based affinity groups throughout the school year. This year, we launched parent affinity groups to support underrepresented families at Redwood Day including:
- Asian/Pacific Islander/Desi American Heritage
- Black/African American Heritage
- Gender and Sexuality Diversity
- Hispanic/Latino/a/x Heritage
- Multiracial Heritage
- Neurodiversity
This group is focused on parenting children with learning differences. It is intended to provide education and resources on the topic, as well as a safe space to share the unique joys and challenges of raising neurodivergent children.
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Professional Development
- Redwood Day maintains membership with POCIS (People of Color in Independent Schools) Northern California Chapter and the National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity). Faculty and staff participate in an active SEED group on campus.
- Members of our faculty and staff regularly participate in the NAIS POCC (People of Color Conference) and the NAIS Summer Diversity Institute.
2024-25 Diversity, Equity & Belonging Calendar
3245 Sheffield Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
510.534.0800
Oakland, CA 94602
510.534.0800
