School Life
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Carlthorp School’s DEI work is grounded in our school’s mission statement — in our shared commitment to providing “a strong academic foundation in a diverse and nurturing school community that emphasizes respectful values, responsible work habits, and excellence in order to prepare our students to achieve their highest potential in education and life.”
Strongest Together
At Carlthorp School, fostering a true sense of belonging is central to everything we do. We honor each individual’s unique background and experiences, encouraging students to discover similarities and celebrate differences in a way that reflects the world around them. We are committed to ensuring every child and family feels seen, heard, affirmed, and valued.
Driven by empathy, connection, and curiosity, our holistic approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion engages our entire community—students, parents, faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees. Led by Director of Community Engagement and Belonging Cyreeta Sharp, our work remains reflective and intentional as we address systemic equity, dismantle biases, and nurture an environment where every member actively contributes and thrives.
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Students
Our students are educated in an age-appropriate way to be exposed to diverse thoughts, to synthesize information, to think critically, and to offer opinions. It is critical for our students to understand the world around them through varied perspectives and experiences. Our curriculum, events, activities, and extracurricular clubs incorporate the histories, beliefs, and experiences of people from various diverse cultural backgrounds and lenses. -
Faculty and Staff
Our faculty and staff participate in ongoing professional development that addresses how to acknowledge and teach through a social justice lens with regards to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, physical abilities, religious and political beliefs. Through the shaping of a culturally responsive curriculum and classrooms to after-school clubs, our faculty and staff work tirelessly to engage each unique student's needs and interests. -
Parents
Our parents play an integral part in school-wide events, classroom initiatives, and volunteer opportunities. With an emphasis on parent involvement, the partnership between school and home is vital to building skills, knowledge, and affirmative attitudes for an inclusive community. Through our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness (IDEA) Committee, parents engage in promoting inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion rests in every aspect of our community and institution and is the perfect space for our students to learn how to navigate the world beyond Carlthorp. No matter who you are, it doesn’t happen without each member of our community. We actively seek opportunities for our community members to join us in openly sharing their authentic selves and their experiences, which in turn will continue to make our school a beautiful and diverse place where everyone belongs.
Established in 1939, Carlthorp School is the oldest independent coeducational day school for grades K-6 located in Santa Monica, California.