Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Affinity groups and clubs are an essential part of life at Friends. They reflect our ongoing commitment to the Quaker values of equity, community, and honoring each individual. These groups provide students, families, and employees with opportunities to connect around shared identities and experiences. By creating spaces for reflection, connection, and celebration, we help ensure that every member of our community feels seen, heard, and valued. These groups enrich our school community and foster a deeper, collective sense of belonging.

Lower School:
Kids of Color
Students with Pride

Middle School: 
Asian Student Union
Black Student Union
Gay Straight Alliance
Jewish Student Union
Kids of Color

Upper School: 
Asian Student Union (ASU)
Black Student Union (BSU)
DEI Delegates
Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools (FOCUS)
Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
Jewish Student Union (JSU)
Muslim Student Union (MSU)
Quaker Student Union (QSU)

Employees:
BIPOC Affinity Group
LGBTQ+ Affinity Group

Parents/Caregivers:
Parents of Black Students
Parents of LGBTQ+ Students
Parents of Neurodiverse Students & Students with Disabilities
Parents of Students of Color

The Friends School of Baltimore is committed to implementing intentional DEI programming at every level of the school. We believe that strong DEI programming strengthens belonging within our community. We center restorative practices and civil discourse in the programming our community engages in. Below are a few programs led or supported by the DEI Office.

• The DEI Offices hosts DEI Days at the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. Those days present students with age appropriate content that center around a unified theme. There are workshops the students participate in and there are often opportunities for cross-divisional collaboration. 
• In the Middle School we celebrate African Diaspora Day. This day has become a joyful and meaningful tradition for our community to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of the African Diaspora. 
• Schoolwide we celebrate Black Lives Matter Week of Action. There are events that take place celebrating Black Lives and Culture across all levels of the school. 
• Lunar New Year Celebrations give students the opportunity to learn more about Lunar New Year and participate in fun activities that honor the holiday. 
• Cultural Day is a school-wide opportunity for community members to share and showcase their culture with others.

At Friends, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) education is thoughtfully integrated across the experience of all of our PK-12 students. Grounded in our Quaker values of community, students engage with themes of identity and belonging in ways that are developmentally appropriate and meaningful. In Upper School, this learning becomes more focused through two dedicated courses: Friends Forum: Identity & Community, which examines how individual identity shapes our experiences and relationships within various communities; and Social Justice Practitioners Course, which explores DEI and social justice concepts through experiential learning and dialogue. These courses empower students to reflect deeply, engage thoughtfully, and contribute to a more just and inclusive world.

At Friends, our employees engage in professional learning around DEI topics throughout the year. We have at least one full day each year devoted to professional learning centered around DEI. We also utilize other opportunities to educate our community. This includes, but is not limited to faculty meetings, and department meetings. 

We are also committed to supporting faculty learning beyond the Friends campus. We support employees by ensuring that they have the opportunity to attend conferences such as the NAIS People of Color Conference, and the AIMS DEIBJ conference. The DEI Office stays up to date on professional learning opportunities and ensures our employees have access to them. 

At Friends School of Baltimore, we recognize a multitude of observances and holidays not only that members of our community observe, but also some that are lesser known. Observances and holidays are an opportunity to educate our community and celebrate a variety of cultures.