Our School

Equity & Belonging

Helen Parkhurst, "Education on the Dalton Plan," 1922

The second principle of the Dalton Laboratory Plan is co-operation or, as I prefer to call it, the interaction of group life…A school cannot reflect the social experience which is the fruit of community life unless all its parts, or groups, develop those intimate relations one with the other and that interdependence which, outside school, binds men and nations together.

Office of Equity & Belonging

Our mission to educate and prepare students so that they may Go Forth Unafraid in a complex global community hinges on their capacity to think critically and make ethical decisions that stem from a core belief in the value of difference, a sense of cultural fluency, and a sincere and empathic regard for interdependence.

The commitment to equity and belonging embedded in our mission is made explicit in the Strategic Plan, a multifaceted, community-wide set of objectives. Published by the Board of Trustees, the Strategic Plan mandates the continued admission of a diverse student body; recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, administration, and staff; the development of inclusive curricula; ongoing education on complex cultural issues; equal access for all community members to participate fully in the life of the school; and measures to determine our accountability and progress.

Our Vision

At Dalton, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to a healthy and vibrant school. We aim to be an institution where every member of our community feels valued in their differences and united in the shared belief that a diverse and equitable community is integral to academic excellence. We strive to have our halls be reflective of our values through the diversity of our students, faculty, staff and families. We provide an education that embraces challenging inquiry so that our students are prepared to participate and lead towards a more equitable world.

List of 1 items.

  • Dalton's Principles of Equity and Belonging

    • All community members are expected to act in a manner consistent with Dalton's Mission, Vision, and Principles and to contribute to building a community of integrity and compassion.
    • All Dalton students will be treated with dignity and with respect, irrespective of their personal beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic circumstance, ability and other important aspects of their identity.
    • All Dalton community members will aim to have a deep appreciation for their fellow community members’ differing life experiences and learn to engage in respectful dialogue and discourse.
    • Dalton is committed to providing its students with an understanding of racial and structural inequities and discrimination in the United States and abroad.
    • Dalton will support its students in furtherance of this vision by providing opportunities to address current societal inequities.
    • Dalton will furnish the resources necessary for all Dalton students to be able to thrive academically and socially and ultimately to “go forth unafraid.”
    • In advancing our vision and principles, we affirm that we are an educational community dedicated to better understanding and treatment of others, independent thought and engagement with differing perspectives. We seek to unite our community in our shared vision and our differences, and to do so with empathy, understanding, and consistent with the Dalton Plan.
    Adopted by the Board of Trustees, May 2022

Programs & Initiatives

Our curriculum, programming, and initiatives cultivate belonging, authenticity, leadership, empathy, awareness, and community. See below for programming, groups, and initiatives taking place across constituencies.

  • FP House 91

    During House 91, the K-3 community comes together to highlight and celebrate the beauty of our diverse identities across race, ethnicity, religion, gender, ability differences, and more. H91 assemblies bring the community together through songs, videos, read-alouds and performances that highlight the expansive and cultural richness of the world around us. H91 also provides opportunities to showcase dynamic K-3 classroom and student projects that pertain to diverse themes of identity, equity, community and belonging.

  • MS Equity & Belonging House

    Equity and Belonging House provides a space for students to engage meaningfully with one another on topics such as identity, core values, self-care, power, privilege and more. With thoughtful reflections, developmentally appropriate frameworks, and applicable scenarios, EB House helps students build empathy, allyship, affirmation, and understanding within themselves and one another.
     

  • HS Dialogue Lab

    High School DialogueLab serves as a dedicated time and space for reflection about our identities and our unique and shared experiences as members of the Dalton community. With interactive activities and thoughtful discussion, DialogueLab aligns with our mission to “cultivate values of respect, integrity, compassion and justice to encourage community responsibility, combat prejudice and engage students as participants in a democratic society and global community.”
     

  • A Seat at the Table

    We began hosting "A Seat at the Table" in response to parent interest to focus on our collective work to build a sense of community and belonging at Dalton. Twice per year, over a shared meal, the Office of Equity & Belonging facilitates discussions and welcomes speakers on topics relevant to our parent community, with the goal of forging connections through stories and conversations. Recent topics included, "Encouraging Empathy Through Inquiry," and "Complex World: Complex Conversations."

  • Affinity & Identity Groups

    These optional, informal groups provide opportunities for community members to connect, learn, and gather. Centered on the experience of a particular identity or group, these spaces foster interactive reflection, discussion, and activities. Representing our vast cultural diversity, groups span across identities including, but not limited to, ethnicity, religion, gender, race, and more. 
     
    Student groups are offered in Middle and High School supported by a faculty advisor. Parent groups are led by volunteers in partnership with the Parents Association.

  • Professional Growth Opportunities

    Throughout the year, the Office of Equity and Belonging supports opportunities, both internal and external, for employees to deepen knowledge and application of equity and belonging in their respective roles. This includes a training for new faculty staff called Intro to Equity led in conjunction with peer schools.

  • Community Celebrations

    The E&B Office sponsors community celebrations, often in partnership with the Parents Association, including:
    • A Belonging Celebration
    • Sukkot
    • Multicultural Festival
    • Interfaith Club Dinner
    • Holi
    • Bollywood Night
    • La Gran Fiesta
    • Parents of Black Students Block Party
    • Lunar New Year
    • Eid

  • IDEA LAB

    IDEA Lab is an innovative form of professional development for Dalton faculty and staff related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and activism. In IDEA Lab, participants engage in interactive workshops, led by their colleagues and guest facilitators, that provide essential skills and tools to support a culturally responsive and progressive teaching and work environment.

  • DEI Committees

    Central to our commitment to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive community are the Board of Trustees' DEI initiatives and the Alumni Council DEI Committee, both which play pivotal roles in advancing the school's DEI objectives.
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Featured News

News Stories

List of 3 news stories.

  • A Seat at the Table: Encouraging Empathy Through Inquiry

    At our spring “A Seat at the Table” event, members of our parent community came together for a thoughtful and energizing conversation around encouraging empathy and curiosity in potentially challenging conversations.
    Read More

  • “A Seat at the Table” Kicks Off with Leaning In and Leaning On: Intentional Listening and Engagement

    At this year's first “A Seat at the Table” event, parents from all divisions joined administrators over a shared meal to explore the science and research behind conflict and connection in relationships, focusing on intentional listening and engagement. 
    Read More

  • A Belonging Celebration in Middle School

    Last week, the Office of Equity & Belonging hosted "A Belonging Celebration” (ABC) event that captivated Middle School students. The event provided an opportunity for students to join together in community, work with teachers they may not yet know, and dive deeply into engaging content driven by student interest.
    Read More

Meet the Team

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Johára Tucker

    Johára Tucker 

    Chief of Equity and Belonging
  • Photo of Derek Lipscomb

    Derek Lipscomb 

    High School Equity and Belonging Coordinator
  • Photo of Diku Rogers

    Diku Rogers 

    Associate Director of Equity and Belonging
  • Photo of Destiny Torres

    Destiny Torres 

    Executive Assistant to the Chief of EB

Grades K-3

53 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128

Grade 4 & PE Center

200 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128

Grades 5-12

108 East 89th Street, New York, NY 10128

Contact Info

212-423-5200    |    info@dalton.org

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