Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Kent Place School is committed to its mission to educate its students for respectful and responsible participation in a global community. Kent Place School strives to promote justice and equity to create a school and working environment that is affirming and inclusive, where each member feels safe and valued. Kent Place School respects and honors diversity, which includes (but is not limited to) age, ethnicity, family structure, gender identity, national origin, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic background.

Statement of Intent
  1. Kent Place School recognizes that educational excellence and diversity are linked; we embrace diversity and recognize the enrichment it brings to the school community.
  2. Kent Place School supports the development of a school community that is culturally competent, socially responsible and appreciative of global perspectives.
  3. Kent Place School actively rejects all forms of discrimination, intolerance and bias.
  4. Kent Place School makes diversity and equity an integral and valued part of the school's culture, curriculum and programs.
  5. All members of the Kent Place School community will commit to and support the school's Diversity Plan.
Kent Place infuses opportunities for inclusive and equitable conversations for our whole community.

Community Conversation Norms

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 Community Conversation Norms into our community to help us engage in respectful dialogues that create learning and growth.

STUDENTS

List of 5 items.

  • Primary School

    • Kaleidoscopes (affinity group for students of color)

  • Middle School/Upper School

    • Kaleidoscopes Mentoring Program

  • Upper School

    Alliance Groups
    • Diversity Council (DIV CO)
    • Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Alliance (APICA)
    • Black Cultural Association (BCA)
    • Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
    • Jewish Cultural Association (JCA)
    • LATINX 
    Affinity Groups
    The pilot program is starting this year. As interest grows we plan to expand our affinity groups to meet our students' needs.
    • Black
    • Gender and Sexuality
    • Jewish
    • Latinx
    • Multiracial

  • Student Conferences

    • Leaning into Equity Awareness and Diversity (LEAD) Conference
    • Middle School Diversity Conference at the Haverford School
    • Middle School Equity and Inclusion Summit 
    • Mid-Atlantic Regional Diversity Conference (MARD)
    • NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC)
    • New Jersey Students of Color Conference (NJSCC) - co-hosted by Kent Place. 
    • Widening the Lens

  • Student Awards

    • Princeton Prize in Race Relations
    • Social Justice and Equity Award (Kent Place Upper School)

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, and administrators have participated in professional and personal development in diversity, equity, and inclusion:
    • Intergroup Dialogue Training
    • NAIS People of Color Conference and Student Diversity Leadership Conference
    • National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity)
    • National Diversity Practitioners Institute 
    • Diversity Directions Independent School Seminar
    • Widening the Lens - The Far Brook School Diversity Conference
    • MCRC@ADVIS Cultural Competency Institute
    • MCRC@ADVIS Critical Conversations featuring Dr. Robin DiAngelo
    • Teaching White White Workshops presented by East Ed Consultants
    • The Race Institute
    • National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE)
    • Teaching About Race and Racism in the Classroom: Racial Literacy Overview
    • Lion’s Story - Racial Literacy Institute featuring Dr. Howard Stevenson
    • The Wells Collective workshops
    • Facing History and Ourselves workshops

On-Campus Learning

List of 1 items.

  • Speakers and Facilitators

    • Mahzarin Banaji
    • Ruha Benjamin 
    • Katrina Browne
    • Diversity Directions 
    • Brighid Dwyer
    • East Ed (Eastern Educational Resource Collaborative)
    • Rodney Glasgow
    • Walter David Greason
    • Liza Talusan
    • Alecia Warotwski
    • Summit Interfaith Council
    • Defamation: The Play

Parents and Guardians

List of 2 items.

  • Diversity & Equity Parent Group (DEPG)

    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.

  • DEPG Programming

    • LatinX Celebration - in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month
    • Taste of India/Diwali Celebration
    • Lunar New Year Celebration
    • Community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
    • Black History Month Celebration
    • Asian Pacific Heritage Month Celebration

Our Community

Total Students of Color: 48% 
Primary School SoC: 50%
Middle School SoC: 48%
Upper School SoC: 46%
  • Asian: 23%
  • Black/African-American: 12%
  • Latinx/Hispanic: 6%
  • Middle Eastern: 1%
  • Multiracial: 6%
  • White/Caucasian: 52%
Religious Affiliation 
  • Atheist: 2.3%
  • Agnostic: 7.2%
  • Catholic: 33.8%
  • Hindu: 2.7%
  • Jehovah's Witness: 0.9%
  • Jewish: 8.1%
  • Muslim: 0.9%
  • None: 9.9%
  • Protestant: 18.5%
  • Orthodox: 4%
  • Other: 14%
Students live in 70 different cities and towns and come from nine counties. 71 percent of our community comes from our top 12 towns (Summit, Short Hills, Chatham, Westfield, Madison, West Orange, Maplewood, Montclair, Berkeley Heights, Morristown, South Orange, and Livingston).

Total Faculty of Color: 20%

Meet the Team

List of 5 members.

  • Photo of Walidah Justice

    Walidah E Justice 

    Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    (908) 273-0900 ext. 294
  • Photo of Tyhisha Henry

    Tyhisha Henry 

    Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion / MS DEI Liaison
    (908) 273-0900
    Bio
  • Photo of Dora Gragg

    Dora F Gragg 

    PS Spanish / PS Diversity and Inclusion Liaison
    (908) 273-0900 ext. 309
  • Photo of Michelle Stevenson

    Michelle Stevenson 

    Department Chair Health, Wellness & Physical Ed / Coach / US DEI Liaison
    (908) 273-0900 ext. 236
  • Photo of Iveliz Morales

    Iveliz Morales 

    Administrative Assistant, Business Office / Staff DEI Liaison
    (908) 273-0900 ext. 281
42 Norwood Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901   |   (908) 273-0900
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

  • MATH COMES FROM YOU

    When you've computed something for yourself, the story is different. The girls here feel like the math is coming from them, rather than from a textbook. You won't hear a Kent Place girl ask, "What answer are they looking for?" The girls are looking for their own answers, and they're on their own path. –Dr. Ralph Pantozzi, Math Teacher

  • 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