An education that honors the pursuit of academic excellence and the joy of childhood must be one that has equity, inclusion, and belonging at its core.
All students feel the greatest joy and do their best academic work when they feel seen, heard, and respected. Across our campus, Charles River School actively works to make sure that every student, and as an extension our families and professional community, feels just that.
CRS’s unwavering commitment to that work is rooted in our mission to graduate students who “know themselves, understand others, and shape the future of our diverse world with confidence and compassion.” We are intentional in our ongoing work to cultivate an environment in which all members of our community learn the skills and develop the tools necessary to thrive in the ever-changing, 21st-century world. We are dedicated to our efforts to create a school community in which everyone is welcomed, recognized, and valued both as an individual and as a member of the Charles River School family.
Learn about the 2021 Climate Assessment and our ongoing CEI Action Plan
Head of School’s Point of View
“Equity, belonging, and community are central to our mission and are at the heart of progressive education. Every day, we work to make sure that each child feels a sense of belonging at Charles River School, and when our students graduate, they are inspired and well prepared to make others feel that same sense of belonging in every community of which they are a part.”
Head of School
Silas's Charles River School Point of View
Affinity groups at CRS make me feel included. They make me feel part of the bigger community.
CRS Student
Julie's Charles River School Point of View
As a world language teacher, I recognize that French grammar uses a binary gender system. While I strive to maintain the integrity of this language, including its history and culture, I also want to create inclusive learning environments for all students. It’s an important dialogue to have.
French Teacher, Grades 3-8, Middle School Coordinator
Malik's Charles River School Point of View
While I didn’t realize it at the time, I was becoming an advocate for social change. My CRS teachers cultivated my passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Who I am is, in part, because of Charles River School’s commitment and its dedication to forming socially aware students.
Class of 2015
Lizz's Charles River School Point of View
At CRS, we’re committed to striving for community, equity, and inclusion, which goes so much further than diversity. We’re not just trying to get a variety of voices in the room; we are continually working to ensure that every voice and perspective feels heard, welcomed, and celebrated. In my classroom, this means leaning into the tough conversations with respect and empathy at the forefront.
Grades 7 and 8 Mathematics, PreK-8 Math Coordinator
Defining CEI Terms at CRS
Community, Equity, and Inclusion Mission Statement
At Charles River School, community, equity, and inclusion are essential parts of our curriculum and our community and are central tenets of our Mission Statement. Through our teaching practices and the authentic learning experiences we provide for our students inside and outside of the classroom, Charles River School shows a deep dedication to graduating well-rounded students who “know themselves, understand others, and shape the future of our diverse world with confidence and compassion. We commit ourselves to:
Cultivating Intercultural Competence and an Anti-Bias Mindset
Through our curriculum and co-curricular work with our student body, faculty, staff, parents and caregivers.
Deepening Knowledge and Respect
For the multi-faceted nature of identity and culture as they exist in ourselves, our local communities, and in our world.
Providing a Positive School Environment and Education
That equips children and adults with the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills to become successful, contributing members of a global society.
Developing a Deep Historical and Contemporary Understanding
Of the implications of systemic oppression, power, and privilege and how our work as a school can play an important role in dismantling those systems.
Engaging in the Complex Work of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
With careful thought, enduring dedication, and ongoing self-reflection
Alliance and Affinity Groups
Alliance Groups bring together people who have a common commitment to an identifier group, e.g. race, gender, religion, family status, etc. Alliance groups are for individuals who identify as members of the group and/or as people who support and stand in solidarity with that group.
Affinity Groups bring together people who have an identifier in common, e.g. race, gender, religion, family status, etc. Affinity groups are for individuals who identify as members of the group and can speak to the experience of being a member of the group from the “I” perspective.
Affinity groups provide students with the safety and comfort to be their authentic selves, identity affirmation, and positive racial socialization. This is done through age-appropriate identity exploration, a celebration of selfhood/sense of pride, the discussion of common experiences, and a debrief of common challenges.
By providing connection and affirmation to those whose identities, whether in terms of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other markers, may differ from the majority, affinity groups strengthen their members’ sense of belonging and empower them to engage in the broader community more confidently.
Research shows that spending time in affinity groups helps students become better psychologically and physiologically able to seek relationships outside of that group.
When students develop the self-confidence that comes specifically from positive identity development, they engage more in healthy risk-taking at school, such as stepping out of their comfort zones to build friendships with peers, reaching out to adults for support, or trying new activities.
Simply put, affinity groups offer safe places for members to be themselves in smaller groups so that they can then be more of their full selves in larger ones.
Charles River School offers affinity and alliance groups for families, students, and employees:
Resources and Multimedia
Looking for more information or want to add to your library? We’ve collected educational resources, articles, podcasts, books, music, and more to help.
Charles River School admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational or admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.