Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, & Belonging

DEIJB

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, & Belonging

Villa Academy actively engages in diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging (DEIJB) work in order to expand our communal vision of a more just world. Through justice-focused community engagement, we grow in compassion and stand in solidarity with others, particularly those who are marginalized. This includes anti-bias education and an unwavering commitment to addressing inequity across our world, our histories, and all aspects of human identity.

Applying to Villa

As a community of lifelong learners, Villa Academy commits to our ongoing growth as an increasingly diverse, equitable, inclusive, and justice-centered school, one that is a site of authentic belonging for all. Our responsibility to this critical endeavor is affirmed by our recent strategic plan, Growth, Service, and Purpose.

AN INCLUSIVE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Villa Academy stands for the respect of all human dignity. Our teachers and students commit to affirming the importance of diversity and inclusion in order to expand our communal vision of a more just world. As an inclusive independent school, we welcome, affirm, and celebrate community members of all identities and all backgrounds. Inspired by our founder, St. Frances Cabrini, who committed her life to serving the most vulnerable among us, we seek to provide a safe, welcoming environment that encourages authenticity and reflects the broader community. We believe that understanding and appreciating diverse perspectives, experiences, and identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity, and others, is fundamental to our overall mission of developing the whole child and expanding our communal vision of a more just world.

Equity & Inclusion Speaker Series

Villa Academy has been a proud co-sponsor of the Equity and Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series since its inception. The Speaker Series, a program led by a number of Seattle-area independent schools, brings world-renowned social justice educators to our communities through virtual gatherings, providing the opportunity to connect, learn, and engage in topics around equity, inclusion, and antiracist education and action.

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT MARKET

The International Night Market was created to celebrate and share the diverse heritages of our families at Villa. Through this community event, we learn more about each other and strengthen our bond as a Villa family by appreciating the beauty and richness that immigration brings to our country and our Villa community.

DEIJB on Campus

DEIJB at Villa

Diversity

Diversity refers to the full range of human differences within overarching similarities. At Villa, identifiers include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values, national origin, and political beliefs. We seek to attract mission-fit faculty, staff, students, and families that are accepting and inclusive of all people.

Equity

Equity refers to fair and just practices that ensure access, resources, and opportunities are provided for all to succeed and grow. Villa educators ensure that material is accessible and supportively scaffolded for each student in their classrooms. When additional assistance is needed, our wonderful Villa Learning Support (VLS) team is there to partner with our teachers.

Inclusion

Inclusion refers to individual and institutional behaviors that show people they are accepted, respected, and valued. Villa fosters inclusion through culturally responsive teaching practices, community gatherings, affinity spaces, and school-wide communications. For example, our monthly communications include relevant campus news, diverse holidays and heritage observances, upcoming school events, and justice-centered partnerships with other organizations in the Pacific Northwest.

Justice

Belonging

Belonging refers to the ultimate outcome of all community members' experience of feeling heard, seen, supported, and valued. All people want to feel a sense of belonging and seek it in all aspects of our lives. At Villa, we cultivate belonging for students and our adult community members by providing gathering spaces, encouraging authentic conversations, and actively engaging in DEIJB work from Preschool through 8th grade.

Affinity Groups

Affinity groups allow individuals who share an identity to gather, discuss issues related to said identity, and then once ready— create action plans with the ultimate goal of making their experiences as historically marginalized people more equitable.

Research and data suggest the following positive outcomes for affinity groups:

Benefits to Students:

Offer opportunities and spaces to be authentic.
Provide affirmation of one’s identity.
Connect students around shared experiences.
Empower individuals to take collective action.

Benefits to Families:

Provide social connection and an increased sense of belonging.
Facilitate peer-to-peer support.
Offer space to acknowledge and celebrate shared experiences.
Affirm the humanity of all.

In a spirit of care and solidarity, Villa hosts affinity group gatherings throughout each academic year.

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DEIJB