Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Belonging matters at UPrep. When our students feel like they belong, it is easier for them to act from the strong foundation of support provided by the adults in our community. They feel empowered to be brave, take risks, and do great things." –Head of School Ronnie Codrington-Cazeau
UPrep's mission compels us to train and educate the next generation of leaders who will create impact and change in an interdependent, complex, and global community. Our students need to see, hear, and understand the diversity of people, perspectives, and points of view around them. It is essential for our students to identify, analyze, and act on issues of equity, justice, and inclusion. Our world demands it.
We support our mission by creating experiences for our students to come face-to-face with the issues playing out in society and allowing them the room to grow in their own identity development. From our annual Puma Heritage Celebration to affinity groups (open to all) and Social Justice Week, equity, justice, and inclusion are embedded in all that we do.
Through collaboration with grade-level deans and the assistant directors of middle and upper school, we work to not just react to the needs that arise for our students, but to proactively teach diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) skills to help reduce harm. Our scaffolded DEIB curriculum engages students in exploring their identities, bias, justice, and intersectionality. Each month, students work with their advisory groups on one of these themes.
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Office, centrally located within the school, provides a safe space for our students and faculty to have discussions, embrace and confront challenging issues, and hold club and affinity group meetings.
Meet the Team
Taylor Kanemori '09, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
tkanemori@universityprep.org
Flor Hernandez Morales, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Program Manager
fhernandezmorales@universityprep.org
Our family is grateful that conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion are happening in the UPrep community—not just for students but for families as well." –Current parent
Our Definitions
At UPrep, we operate with the following definitions:
UPrep community members march together in the Seattle Pride Parade.
We celebrate and share the many cultures, religions, ethnicities, and countries represented in our school community at our annual Puma Heritage Celebration!