Diversity Mission Statement
Community life grounded in the Spirit invites us to face
outward, not inward. It requires an openness to the needs and
concerns of others. It involves a willingness to be with people
different than you are, some of whom, at first blush, you may not
care for. At its best, a great Episcopal school like St.
Andrews can be a model of a Spirit-filled community: a place
where we open ourselves to a diversity of voices and perspectives,
but share a common commitment to the life of the mind and the pursuit
of truth wherever it may lead; a place where we cultivate the wide
variety of musical, artistic, and athletic gifts that makes us human,
while seeing in them a universal beauty that is the heart of God; a
place where we welcome people of all faith traditions, not so that we
all become Episcopalians, but for the more generous purpose of
sharing and celebrating life in the Spirit in all its diverse
wonder. That is what it means to live in the Spirit.
- Reverend Luther Zeigler, Chaplain
The internal
life of children is so complex. Their struggle to cobble
together identity and self motivates me every day to serve them.
How can I, how can we better nurture their voices? Students
teach me every day new ways to be brave and just.
- Stacy
Kincaid, Diversity Director
…Spend some time every
day with someone who is different from you.
- Chris
Wallace, Fox News, St. Andrew's Graduation Speaker 2008
The
key to cross-cultural communication is humility and
compassion.
- Charles Owens, Francis W. Parker
School, Chicago, IL
St. Andrew's Speaker, September 2008
Coming to St Andrew’s I knew I would be in the minority, I
might have been afraid that I would not have someone to identify
with. I was happily shocked when I found that St. Andrew’s had a
very active Diversity club. I have been able to safely explore who I
am and develop my identity. St. Andrew’s has helped me be proud of
who I am. Being an African American young woman I was extremely
confused by a lot of things, but with the guidance of my teachers and
older students. I have been given many opportunities to explore my
identity.
- Yaa Addison ‘09
Coming out wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, even for me, the daughter of two mothers, however my friends and teachers at St. Andrews have made the process easier, by being supportive and there for me. Recently the school has been taking measures to improve the environment for LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender] students, which has helped me, and the other “out” kids at school, feel more welcome and apart of the community, as I have learned that the school really values my experience.
- Claire Hansen (Class of 2010)