Community and Belonging
Seattle Country Day School strives to create a welcoming and inclusive community for all of its students, and for all of the families whose children attend the school. Below, we outline some of the school programs that help create a stronger, more thoughtful community.
- SYNAPSE
The Synapse program in grades K–8 helps students learn about themselves and the world around them through four concepts: self-knowledge or self-awareness, social relationships, celebration of self-identity and others’ identities, and social awareness. Read more about Synapse, here.
- A COMMITMENT TO BELONGING
SCDS has a schoolwide commitment to belonging. We want to make sure that all our students, their families, and our employees feel valued for their identities, cultures, and beliefs. In particular, we know that a sense of belonging is beneficial to students and to the school community as a whole. Students who feel a sense of belonging have a strong sense of identity, and they perceive themselves to be more competent and autonomous. They have high levels of intrinsic motivation, engagement, and performance. Importantly, a sense of belonging helps students cultivate positive attitudes toward themselves, the school, and their teachers and peers.
- AFFINITY GROUPS
Affinity groups bring people together around a common identity, such as race, religion, gender orientation, family composition, learning profile, and so on. At SCDS, affinity groups are open to all parents/guardians and students. Participants can provide and receive support and community, and discuss interests. At SCDS, there are two kinds of affinity groups: family-led groups and student-led groups. The former are administered by families and supported by the school; the latter are administered by the school.
- CAFECITO & CONVERSATION
Cafecito is an educational series designed for parents and guardians interested in providing at-home support for the Synapse-related concepts their children explore at school.
- RIPPLES
RIPPLES (Race in Parenting — Parent-Led Education) is a parent-created and parent-led group that meets regularly to converse on topics related to race and culture, and how to speak to their children about these topics.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AT SEATTLE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
SCDS actively seeks to increase the breadth of diversity and inclusion in our entire community: the gifted children at the center of a dynamic learning process, their families, and our faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees.
We aspire to include a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives; to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of differences; and to cultivate diverse thinking essential for creative problem-solving.
We recognize that diversity encompasses all socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds, family structures, gender and sexual identifications, and religious communities. In the spirit of true inquiry, we embrace this journey as an essential learning opportunity.
We affirm our belief that increasing and sustaining diversity and inclusiveness helps us to fulfill our mission of inspiring gifted children to reach their potential through inquiry, curiosity, and wonder. In support of our mission, we believe in continually examining all aspects of our school.
We pledge to attract, embrace, and support a diverse community; to foster an environment of authenticity and inclusion; to empower compassionate problem-solvers and risk-takers; and to inspire one another to better the world for all.
—SCDS Board of Trustees