Belonging / DEI

At Lansdowne Friends School, we honor and respect both the differences and similarities that our community’s racial, religious, socioeconomic, gender, family structure, sexual orientation, age, ability, and cultural diversity bring. We recognize that each child is a unique treasure whose identity must be affirmed, nurtured, and celebrated. We seek to cultivate creative, compassionate, and capable individuals by fostering a deep sense of self-understanding, along with an appreciation for the diverse experiences, cultures, and histories of others.

As a committed anti-racist organization, we are actively engaged in the work of dismantling racist structures—both within and beyond our school. We believe that racism, along with all forms of oppression, causes harm and prevents us from living fully into our values. We understand that building a truly equitable and inclusive community requires us to examine and transform our systems, curriculum, practices, and relationships with intention, courage, and accountability.

We are dedicated to equipping our educators and staff with the tools and training necessary to address issues of social justice with compassion and confidence. Through ongoing professional development, community engagement, and reflective practice, we support the continuous growth of those who guide and shape our students’ learning.

We empower our students to think critically, question bravely, and disrupt harm and injustice wherever it arises. We support their development as peacemakers and change agents by guiding them to recognize and challenge the ways that oppression, exclusion, or inequity can affect the many identities represented in our school and the wider world. This manifests into peaceful protests on our lawn and meaningful discussions of advocacy and justice in our classrooms.

Our curriculum is a living expression of our values. We utilize various curricula designed to highlight voices historically at the margins. We also focus on our Quaker heritage, which has been a powerful force for peace and justice.  We continually refine our academic program to ensure it is culturally responsive, inclusive, and representative of diverse voices and perspectives. 

We believe that a just, inclusive community doesn’t happen by accident—it is built through thoughtful, ongoing effort and the participation of all.