Community

Here are the ways in which Kent Place infuses opportunities for inclusive and equitable conversations for our whole community.

Students

List of 8 items.

  • Kaleidoscopes

    A Primary School affinity group for students who self-identify as students of color and all students who wish to engage in multicultural conversations.

  • Kaleidoscopes Mentorship Program

    The Kaleidoscopes Mentorship is a monthly affinity group for students from all three divisions who self-identify as children of color. Its mission is to create cross-divisional mentoring relationships, celebrate diversity and common bonds, foster exploration and appreciation of identity and equip students with tools to challenge bias in their lives. Middle and Upper School students must apply to be mentors in the fall.

  • Diversity Council

    The Diversity Council is an Upper School leadership group of students who have attended various workshops and conferences, participated in facilitation skills trainings and have demonstrated an interest in working with other students on issues of diversity and social justice.

  • Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Alliance

    APICA is a club where all students (not just Asians and Pacific Islanders) can learn about different Asian cultures and traditions, as well as discuss stereotypes.

  • Black Cultural Association

    BCA, an organization formed in 1972, is open to all students at Kent Place. The association focuses on the media, news and other factors of life for the Black community. They define the Black community as the African Diaspora, which includes Africans, African Americans, Caribbeans and other groups.

  • Gay Straight Alliance

    The goal of GSA is to make the Kent Place community safe and welcoming to all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. GSA hosts activities that raise awareness and participates in events such as Day of Silence and Ally Week.

  • NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference

    Kent Place annually sponsors and sends a group of Upper School students to the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference . SDLC is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders (Grades 9-12) from around the country that focuses on self-reflecting, forming alliances and building community. Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participants develop effective cross-cultural communication skills, better understand the nature and development of effective strategies for social justice, practice expression through the arts and learn networking principles and strategies.

  • Princeton Prize in Race Relations

    Five Kent Place Upper School students were awarded the prestigious Princeton Prize in Race Relations for their commitment to advancing the cause of positive race relations through their work as leaders of the Diversity Council.

Faculty & Staff

List of 1 items.

  • Professional Development

    In addition to a mandatory day-long training for all new faculty and staff during orientation week and ongoing professional development for specific divisional and departments throughout the year, faculty and staff can also attend Kent Place's SEED Seminars.

    The Director of Diversity hosts monthly, three-hour SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Seminars for faculty and staff to create multiculturally equitable and globally informed education. This group includes members from all divisions and departments who are dedicated to ongoing professional development in multicultural education, equity, and social justice.

    Kent Place School faculty, staff, administrators, and students have participated in professional and personal development in diversity, equity, and inclusion:

    NAIS People of Color Conference and Student Diversity Leadership Conference
    National SEED Project - Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity - Annual Conference
    Project ROOTS Conference
    Diversity Directions Seminar
    Widening the Lens- The Far Brook School Diversity Conference
    MCRC@ADVIS Cultural Competency Institute

Parents and Guardians

List of 1 items.

  • Diversity and Equity Parent Group

    The goal of the Diversity & Equity Parent Group is to provide a space for our families to dialogue, learn about and explore issues of identity, diversity and equity. Our subcommittees include affinity groups, MLK Day of Service planning and more. The group, which is open to all parents and caregivers, strives to support families and students in developing respect, deepening understanding of identity, and co-constructing an increasingly inclusive and equitable school community.

List of 1 items.

  • 43% & 20%

    of our student body and our faculty and staff, respectively, are people of color
At Kent Place, we recognize that creating spaces for authentic conversation where diverse perspectives are represented and the air is shared within the classroom and beyond requires that all individuals feel safe and validated. We have incorporated Conversation Norms into our community to help us engage in respectful dialogues that create learning and growth.
Kent Place School is an all-girls K through 12 independent college preparatory day school with a coeducational Preschool, located in Summit, NJ.

  • TEST WHAT'S "EXPECTED."

    That's our mantra in robotics. Try crazy things, be free with your ideas, and see what happens. If you're going to build the future, you'll need to be a pioneer. –Emma, seventh grade

  • LEAN INTO DIFFICULTY.

    When it comes to academics, it pays to challenge yourself. I'm in the Bioethics Symposium, presenting research on the ethics of genetically-enhanced intelligence. At times it's daunting—research, deadlines, time management—but it's also a whole new way of thinking. Very independent and "you-driven." –Isabella, sophomore

  • OWN YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE

    It's one of the "conversation norms" we have at Kent Place, and it's always resonated with me. Everyone has a different and equally valid perspective to bring to the table—so put yourself out there. –Mary, senior

  • DON’T THINK YOU’RE GOING TO GET A LABEL.

    There are no jocks here at Kent Place, no science geeks, no theater nerds. Last month a varsity athlete went to sing at the Vatican. Everyone here has some unique quality — and they’re amazing at what they do. –Claire, senior

  • REACH BEYOND WHAT YOU THINK YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH.

    You'll face plenty of challenges, but push through them. Brilliant women use their resources: their teachers, our studios and library and, of course, each other. If you're stuck, collaboration can almost always get you across the finish line. –Suzanne Carreno-Powers, Math Teacher and STEM Coordinator

  • GET READY FOR RIGOROUS WORK.

    And multiple extracurricular activities. Busy days, and a few late nights. But through it all, don’t lose your sense of fun. –Alessandra, junior

  • MAKE CONNECTIONS.

    KPS alumnae are amazing. I met one alumna after a math and science panel who works in retail architecture. That made me think about a cool way to combine two of my interests — math and fashion. –Amber, junior

  • YOUR TIME AT KPS IS GOING TO OPEN UP OPTIONS YOU HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT.

    And when it's time to choose, you're going to know yourself so well, you'll pick the college that's the best fit for you—academically, socially, personally. So don't get tunnel vision. This is your process. Just know that you'll be ready! –Jennifer Simpson, Director of College Advising

  • SOLVING PROBLEMS IS A JOURNEY, ENJOY THE RIDE!

    In the Middle School we do a Science Expo—either two or four people work on a science project for a couple of months and then present it to the entire class. We go into some in-depth projects and it’s incredible what we learn along the way, and how willing our teachers are to help us through the tough parts. –Toni Ann, eighth grade

  • SPEAK YOUR MIND.

    Every girl here learns from an early age how to speak up and speak to adults. You never feel silly raising your hand, and you’re given lots of opportunities to speak publicly. I’m never shy about saying what’s on my mind. –Vittoria, fourth grade

  • ETHICS WILL CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE OUTLOOK.

    Right away, we tackled questions of "right versus right." We're learning to look at every issue from both sides, which helps with everything from homework to friendships. –Elizabeth, eighth grade