About
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Vision Statement
As a Lasallian Catholic institution, St. John’s College High School is committed to preparing students to actively participate in building a more just society by deconstructing systems of injustice, including, but not limited to: racism, sexism, and discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. To that end, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is rooted in the Lasallian tradition of meeting each student where they are and affirming them in their God-given dignity. We strive to build and nurture a culture of inclusivity and concern for all members of our community. Our Lasallian core principles help to put our faith into action daily.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: St. John's will continue our work in restorative practices and culturally responsive teaching. Through our partnership with OneTilt, we are also working to target the power of language, empathy, bias, oppression, micro aggressions, privilege, prejudice, and personal reflection.
STUDENT PROGRAMS: During the 2021–22 academic year, St. John's will provide additional opportunities for students to learn from each other and from faculty to develop tools and strategies when encountering challenges and uncertainty.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE: St. John's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion faculty committee will meet regularly to support these goals throughout the school year.
CURRICULAR UPDATES
Religion: the Hebrew Scripture curriculum has been amended to focus on inclusivity and racial justice.
English: new texts have been added across grade levels to help students see reflections of themselves in literature and to guide them to an understanding of justice and equity.
Social Studies: curricula for World History, US History, Justice in Modern American History, Global Studies, and the American Experience will include the history of oppression, achievements of BIPOC historical figures, along with myriad resources to engage students in a deeper understanding of past and present civil rights movements.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: St. John's will continue our work in restorative practices and culturally responsive teaching. Through our partnership with OneTilt, we are also working to target the power of language, empathy, bias, oppression, micro aggressions, privilege, prejudice, and personal reflection.
STUDENT PROGRAMS: During the 2021–22 academic year, St. John's will provide additional opportunities for students to learn from each other and from faculty to develop tools and strategies when encountering challenges and uncertainty.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE: St. John's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion faculty committee will meet regularly to support these goals throughout the school year.
CURRICULAR UPDATES
Religion: the Hebrew Scripture curriculum has been amended to focus on inclusivity and racial justice.
English: new texts have been added across grade levels to help students see reflections of themselves in literature and to guide them to an understanding of justice and equity.
Social Studies: curricula for World History, US History, Justice in Modern American History, Global Studies, and the American Experience will include the history of oppression, achievements of BIPOC historical figures, along with myriad resources to engage students in a deeper understanding of past and present civil rights movements.
As ever, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is deeply rooted in the Lasallian tradition of meeting each student where they are and affirming in them their God-given dignity. As we walk in the footsteps of our founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, we will strive to build and nurture a culture and tradition of inclusivity and concern for all members of our community. "Preach by example, and practice before the eyes of the young what you wish them to accept." (Med 99.2) In our daily habits and institutional commitments, we will model and reinforce Gospel values. We will create an inclusive culture that celebrates the rich diversity of our school community.
Lasallian Core Principles
FAITH IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
At St. John’s, we believe that God is ever-present and that all people are created His image. Therefore, we know that we will come to a deeper faith and better know Him by having awe-filled reverence for all of His people, seeing God within them. Faith is integrated into class content and interactions throughout the school day.
CONCERN FOR THE POOR AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Our commitment to social justice ensures safety and equality as well as distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges in our community. Our Lasallian charism, informed by the Gospel to work towards justice for the sake of the poor and afflicted, urges every member of our community to promote a culture of peace through justice. Though human suffering remains a constant in our world, social justice means creating a community where every member is empowered to love one another without reserve.
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
At St. John’s, we believe that God is ever-present and that all people are created His image. Therefore, we know that we will come to a deeper faith and better know Him by having awe-filled reverence for all of His people, seeing God within them. Faith is integrated into class content and interactions throughout the school day.
CONCERN FOR THE POOR AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Our commitment to social justice ensures safety and equality as well as distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges in our community. Our Lasallian charism, informed by the Gospel to work towards justice for the sake of the poor and afflicted, urges every member of our community to promote a culture of peace through justice. Though human suffering remains a constant in our world, social justice means creating a community where every member is empowered to love one another without reserve.
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
When “inclusive” is added to a community identity, all members work intentionally to affirm and empower others. We want all students, faculty, and staff to feel that they are genuine and valued members of the St. John’s community. Our identities as individuals and our identities as members of the community permeate and shape each other. St. John’s seeks to continue to develop an authentic community as the most effective means of empowering individuals and education.
QUALITY EDUCATION
St. John's strives to provide a quality education consistent with Lasallian values, focusing on the intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical growth of the whole person and fostering their unique, God-given gifts. This comprehensive, holistic approach to education transforms our students: they become critical thinkers prepared to take on the challenges of collegiate coursework and problem-solvers excited to confront the dynamic issues and injustices facing our world.
RESPECT FOR ALL PERSONS
Here at St. John’s, we embrace everyone for their unique individualism, and celebrate our various races, genders, religions, cultures, beliefs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and ability. We acknowledge the dignity of all persons as Christ acknowledges us. We love others as Christ loves us. Our love has no boundaries.
QUALITY EDUCATION
St. John's strives to provide a quality education consistent with Lasallian values, focusing on the intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical growth of the whole person and fostering their unique, God-given gifts. This comprehensive, holistic approach to education transforms our students: they become critical thinkers prepared to take on the challenges of collegiate coursework and problem-solvers excited to confront the dynamic issues and injustices facing our world.
RESPECT FOR ALL PERSONS
Here at St. John’s, we embrace everyone for their unique individualism, and celebrate our various races, genders, religions, cultures, beliefs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and ability. We acknowledge the dignity of all persons as Christ acknowledges us. We love others as Christ loves us. Our love has no boundaries.
