About

Diversity & Inclusiveness

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Tenacre

Tenacre’s community comprises students, families, faculty, and staff from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We support the diversity of our community through inclusive practices that value the culture, perspectives, beliefs, history, and customs of each community member, helping students appreciate, explore, and respect the differences and similarities they encounter among peers and adults at school and beyond. We pursue equity by providing students and staff with the necessary resources to support and challenge them in their academic work at school.

From pre-k through grade 1, learning emphasizes self-discovery and community building. Teachers help students understand themselves, what they need, and how they contribute to a larger classroom community. This approach nurtures curiosity, confidence, and respect for others, while fostering a strong sense of belonging. By exploring their identities and relationships, students begin to make sense of the world and their place within it.

In grades 2–3, students expand their perspectives by exploring different types of communities, civic engagement, and the ways people care for one another. They study colonial and Native American history, western expansion, and civil rights, connecting the past to present-day life. Through these lessons, students develop empathy, compassion, and an understanding of leadership, all within a developmentally appropriate framework that nurtures and challenges them while reinforcing Tenacre’s mission-driven DEI approach.

In grades 4–6, students grow their sense of citizenship by exploring diverse cultures, world regions, and more U.S. history. They reflect on historical movements to understand how they shape current events in society today. Through these studies, students develop empathy, critical thinking, and broader perspectives, enabling them to become compassionate leaders both at school and beyond.

Tiger Time: Identity and Interest-Based Student Groups

List of 7 items.

Boys to Men

Boys to Men is a group for boys in grades 5 and 6 that aims to help them develop the confidence and courage to stand up for what is right and become leaders both inside and outside of school. Members discuss current events, social norms, and trends, as well as what it means to be a boy at Tenacre and in society more broadly, and how those experiences shape their journey from boyhood to young adulthood.
Girls Can

Girls Can is a group for girls in grades 5 and 6 that provides a respectful, supportive, and fun environment where girls can discuss important topics, collaborate on projects, empower themselves and one another, and build self-confidence. Students explore what it means to be a girl at Tenacre and in the world, and use this knowledge to explore current events and trends related to this group identity. Members also develop strategies to support one another as they navigate the often-challenging social dynamics of this age, particularly those unique to girls, thereby strengthening the bonds that have been forged between them.
Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch is a social group where students of color in grades 2 and 3 have the opportunity to come together for lunch once a month in an environment where they make up the racial majority. Students discuss their families, cultures, shared and varied interests, etc, and get to know each other on a deeper level. Through read-alouds, group discussions, and other activities, students develop close friendships and explore what it means to be a student of color in the younger grades.
Mochi Mates

Mochi Mates provides Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander students in grades 4, 5, and 6 a place to discuss topics and share their culture, lived experiences, and the pride they feel in this part of their identity. The group helps children see the value of their heritage while also learning about the diversity within the AAPI community. It encourages friendships, fosters understanding, and gives students the confidence to bring their whole selves to school.
Multicultural Group

The Multicultural Group is open to all students in grades 4–6 who are interested in connecting across grades and learn more about various cultures represented at Tenacre and around the world. Together, they explore what culture means, compare and contrast their own cultural backgrounds with those of others, reflect on Tenacre’s school culture, and discuss ways to further strengthen our inclusive school community. The group also provides older students with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills by sharing what they’ve learned with the wider school community.
Stuversity

Stuversity provides students of color in grades 4, 5, and 6 the opportunity to explore their identities in a space where they identify as part of the majority group. Students engage in conversations about race, identity, culture, and the commonalities and differences between different ethnic communities. Throughout the year, students form and strengthen meaningful connections across grade levels, creating a strong sense of community and belonging.
Wakanda Style

Wakanda Style provides Black and African American students in grades 4, 5, and 6 with a dedicated space to explore topics unique to their experiences, which may not be applicable to other students of color. In this group, children engage in thoughtful conversations and collaborate with peers, while centering their racial identity without feeling pressured to speak for all people who share this identity. Wakanda Style fosters strong connections across grades throughout the year, empowering students to explore their shared and differing identities as members of the African Diaspora.