Diversity at Chapin
Diversity Mission Statement
Chapin is committed to diversity in its culture and its programs. An equitable, inclusive community provides the best environment for learning. Chapin actively seeks families, faculty and staff who bring a range of experiences to the school. Chapin embraces and respects differences in age, ethnicity, gender, learning style, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic class. Expecting and requiring respect for others is a hallmark of our educational process.
Diversity Clubs and Activities for Students
Lower School: Ruby Bridges lunch group
Students of color in Classes 1, 2 and 3 may come together during lunch to talk about their experiences at Chapin. Supervised by experienced teachers, the students learn about important figures of diverse cultural backgrounds. Activities may include learning about the life of Ruby Bridges, who entered a previously all-white school in the South in 1960; researching the accomplished people pictured on the Black Heritage stamp series; and finding out about African-American influences in the performing arts.
Middle School: Junior CAP (Cultural Awareness Program)
 Girls in Classes 4 through 7 explore the rich diversity of cultures, both within the United States and around the world, that make ours a global community. Activities include reading fables, watching multicultural videos, doing Internet research about how children live in other parts of the world, an international cuisine day and multimedia presentations to the Middle School and the rest of the Chapin community.
Upper School: CAP (Cultural Awareness Program)
CAP is open to all Upper School students who are interested in culture and diversity. The group meets weekly to discuss issues in the media, at Chapin, and the world at large. CAP members have been involved in activities such as the Diversity Awareness Initiative for Students, the Night of Noise Coffee House and the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference. The roots of CAP at Chapin go back to 1972, when students founded the Black Studies Club. The group later evolved into the Intercultural Club and, in turn, became the Cultural Awareness Project. The current name dates from 1987.
Upper School: Gay-Straight Alliance
The Gay-Straight Alliance, open to all students, is dedicated to creating a safe environment for all at Chapin. The club raises awareness about the discrimination suffered by gay youth and seeks to be sure that no one feels discriminated against. Events include the Day Without Art, December1, the National Day of Silence and the AIDS Walk. Discussions cover current issues in the media as well as topics that are of interest within our own community.
Diversity Groups and Activities for Parents, Alumnae and Faculty
Parents of Students of Color at Chapin
 This group fosters a more diverse cultural experience for all students and seeks to enhance the social exchange between students, parents, faculty and administrators of diverse backgrounds. The group strives to maximize the recognition of the unique minority communities that Chapin serves. All Chapin parents are encouraged to attend POCC meetings, and any parent who has a daughter of color in the school may become a member. For more information or to join the group, please e-mail .
Alumnae Cultural Awareness Program
An outgrowth of the student CAP programs, this alumnae group meets to discuss diversity-related issues at Chapin. Alumnae CAP also connects alumnae to current students for mentoring, internships, summer jobs and other opportunities, with a special emphasis on connecting alumnae of color with current students of color. For more information or to join the group, contact the Alumnae Office at 212.744.5007 or e-mail .
S.E.E.D.
S.E.E.D. (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) is a national project that focuses on faculty-centered professional development. Its central premise: The knowledge and background that a teacher brings to the classroom as a unique individual is as important as the material that he or she teaches. Fundamental questions include: What would curriculum and pedagogy look like if the diverse lives of women and girls were seen as commensurate with the diverse lives of men and boys? How can curriculum and teaching methods provide both sexes with windows into each others' experiences and mirror each student's own reality and validity?
Trustee Diversity Committee
The Trustee Diversity Committee, whose members are trustees, current and past parents, alumnae and administrators, oversees and ensures the school’s commitment to diversity in its culture, community and programs. In particular, it helps to educate and train the Board of Trustees regarding diversity issues and supports full implementation of the diversity mission statement. The trustee committee works with Chapin's other diversity-focused committees to achieve common goals.
Last updated 07.10.08
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