Upper Arlington Schools is committed to ensuring that our school district is a place where every member of our school community feels welcomed, valued, supported and embraced.
We believe it is our responsibility to teach and lead with diversity, inclusiveness, empathy, compassion and civility, and provide our students, staff and families with the tools to bring us together as one.
Our mission is to challenge and support every student, every step of the way. As we move forward, we are committed to proactively responding to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) needs in a manner that supports all students and creates a culture of safety and connectedness. We are committed to doing the work, as a community, in order to ensure that every student has a safe space to learn, grow and thrive without fear of prejudice or bias. We will examine our policies and practices to ensure that all facets of our school culture truly reflect our mission, vision and values. We will seek to continuously raise awareness, develop understanding, and build skill through DEI programming and training opportunities.
The Upper Arlington Board of Education acknowledges that acts of racism, prejudice, bias and bigotry occur within our schools and is committed to eliminating these experiences for students, families and staff. We are committed to continue listening, learning, growing and improving educational practices so that every child has a safe space to learn, grow and thrive without fear of prejudice or bias. We are also committed to ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion and the related issues of student achievement and safety are top of mind at all times.
Under the leadership of the Board of Education, the district has taken the following steps:
Created an Equity Advisory Board to bring together the voices of students, staff, parents/guardians and community experts for guidance.
Created a new district-level leadership position for diversity, equity and inclusion. Staff, student and community feedback l informed the selection process.
Created this section of our district website to share our commitment to our diversity, equity and inclusion work and offer additional resources as they become available.
Ensured diversity, equity and inclusion remain at the forefront by including an update in every Board of Education meeting and committee meeting.
As we continue to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the district, this page will contain links and information regarding our programming and other DEI resources to support students, staff, and our community.