A large group of adults sit at round tables in a gymnasium, listening to a woman speaking at the center; international flags are displayed on the wall.

Respect in Action

Our Commitment to DEIJB

Diveristy, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging

As community members, we have a responsibility to foster a generation of young people who are informed, engaged, compassionate, and responsible.

A group of students stand holding music sheets and sing while a teacher, seen from behind, leads them in a classroom.An instructor helps a student shape clay on a pottery wheel in a classroom, with shelves and supplies in the background.A group of elementary school students in uniforms walk through a modern school hallway with backpacks and water bottles.A teacher speaks with students working at tables in a bright classroom, while other students are seated at desks in the background.A group of students stand holding music sheets and sing while a teacher, seen from behind, leads them in a classroom.An instructor helps a student shape clay on a pottery wheel in a classroom, with shelves and supplies in the background.A group of elementary school students in uniforms walk through a modern school hallway with backpacks and water bottles.A teacher speaks with students working at tables in a bright classroom, while other students are seated at desks in the background.
Three students in school uniforms walk and talk in a hallway with motivational words like "self-advocacy," "innovation," and "wellness" displayed on the wall behind them.A student in a gray hoodie speaks while holding a pen in a classroom, with other students sitting at desks and listening.Four elementary-aged students in school uniforms walk and talk together in a hallway decorated with educational photos and blue accents.Two students play guitar and piano in a classroom, while a teacher stands nearby. Musical instruments and classroom equipment are visible in the background.Three students in school uniforms walk and talk in a hallway with motivational words like "self-advocacy," "innovation," and "wellness" displayed on the wall behind them.A student in a gray hoodie speaks while holding a pen in a classroom, with other students sitting at desks and listening.Four elementary-aged students in school uniforms walk and talk together in a hallway decorated with educational photos and blue accents.Two students play guitar and piano in a classroom, while a teacher stands nearby. Musical instruments and classroom equipment are visible in the background.

We are and always have been about self-reflected learning and accountability, not just for the students in our classroom, but for all members of the McLean community. We work hard to ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging are more than just add-ons. They are interwoven within the fabric of our community.

The work ins’t always easy, but at McLean, we don’t shy away from what is hard.

Classroom and Curriculum

Our goal is for students to develop an appreciation for all people and cultures, a commitment to social justice, and a moral compass to guide them through their lives.

Our teachers employ a “windows and mirrors” pedagogy to reflect, reveal, and ensure that students see their own and others’ lives, interests, histories, and perspectives represented in our curriculum.

It’s our expectation that teachers look critically at their curriculum, topics of study, texts assigned, and assessments, to ensure that in an age-appropriate manner topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are awarded the space and representation they deserve.

A man stands and gestures while speaking to a group of students seated at a classroom table with papers in front of them.

Professional Development for Faculty and Staff

To ensure adults learn and grow, we leverage the expertise of our own faculty and regularly bring in nationally recognized thought leaders and organizations to share expertise and resources in the realm of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging.

Examples have included:

  • Warren Reid: “Implicit Bias in Hiring”
  • Jen Cort: “Listening Across Differences”
  • Rosetta Lee: “Parenting with Identity in Mind”
  • Rosalind Wiseman: “Queen Bees & Masterminds: Navigating Friendships Social Conflicts and Popularity”
  • Rodney Glasgow: “Making An Inclusive School for Transgender Students”
  • Lisa Talusan: “Building Understanding and Skills for Addressing Anti-Asian Violence”
A large group of adults sit at round tables in a gymnasium, listening to a woman speaking at the center; international flags are displayed on the wall.

School Community Engagement 

Our rich programming for students and their families is fully supported by the School and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging Committee of our Board of Trustees.

Recent visiting authors, educators, and advocates:

  • Dan Keplinger, an artist with cerebral palsy, shared how he discovered his voice through art.
  • Psychologist Bonnize Zucker led a workshop on anxiety and stress management 
  • Educator and disability advocate, John Sharon, spoke on identity, inclusion, and belonging.

Community Reads and Movie Screenings

  • The Hate U Give, and Just Mercy, along with community-wide reads with opportunities for group reflection and discussion, we refer to as “McLean Talks.”
  • SPARK movie series and discussion evenings by the Upper School Equity Club, and the Middle School’s ACE (Attitude Changes Everything) Club.
  • Parent affinity groups have found meaningful connections, creating community within community.
Event flyer for McLean School’s SPARK! movie series, inviting parents and grades 7-12 for a Black-ish episode viewing on February 11, 5-7:30 pm, with RSVP QR code.

Inspiring Speakers: Bringing the World to McLean

We commit to being a community that invites diverse voices and perspectives to broaden our understanding of the world in which we live.

From a visit with First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House to a dialogue with the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai, our students have truly seen the work of difference-makers up close in meaningful and personally engaging ways.

Notable guest speakers at McLean include:

  • The late Congressman John Lewis provided our community with a rare opportunity for personal engagement with a central figure of the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Schuyler Bailar, who made history as the first openly transgender man to compete on an NCAA Division 1 team, spoke about gender inclusion and his experience as a competitive swimmer at Harvard University
  • Pakistani American author Hena Kahn spoke about the importance of seeing ourselves reflected in the stories we read.
A man in a black shirt and dark pants stands on a wooden floor, speaking in front of a blue curtain and a projection screen.
A news anchor presents a segment titled "Civil Rights in the Classroom," featuring an image of civil rights leader John Lewis. The broadcast includes NBC 4 and Winter Olympics graphics.
Congressman John Lewis Teaches McLean School Students About the Civil Rights Movement
An older man in a suit sits in a rocking chair, speaking to a group of children seated on the floor around him in a classroom or library setting.
Congressman John Lewis Meets with Lower School Students
Two men in suits sit on stage in chairs, separated by a small table with a water bottle, blue cup, and papers, against a backdrop of closed gray curtains.
A Conversation with Congressman John Lewis

McLean School Continues to Commit to:

  • Develop a school culture and curricula that will teach our students both the skills and the sensibilities necessary for living in a world of change and difference;
  • Achieve an educationally enriching level of diversity in the student body, the faculty, staff, and The Board of Trustees; and
  • Provide the resources and support needed to secure the self-esteem of every child.

The School expects that all community members will support diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging at McLean School, just as the School expects that all community members will benefit from that work.

Four people sit and talk in a brightly lit room with large windows, two on a bench and two on chairs, appearing engaged in conversation.
The entrance to McLean School.

Discover the McLean Experience

It’s critically important for a child to be in a school that respects them for who they are, and supports their academic strengths and challenges. This has always been true for McLean. 

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