Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
At La Scuola International School, belonging is not a destination, it is a daily practice, woven into every classroom, every campus, and every community interaction.
We believe diversity is one of our greatest teachers
When we bring together students, families, and educators from different backgrounds, cultures, languages, identities, and lived experiences, we deepen inquiry, expand understanding, and grow into more thoughtful, compassionate global citizens.
Our Commitment
We are an anti-racist institution
Cultural and racial literacy are not add-ons, they are embedded in how we teach, learn, and live together. Rooted in the Reggio Emilia Approach philosophy and the International Baccalaureate framework, we integrate multiple perspectives — local and global, historical and contemporary — into every Unit of Inquiry and every learning environment, from preschool to our middle years program.
We celebrate the full spectrum of human identity and experience. This includes heritage and cultural traditions, racial and ethnic identity, religious and spiritual practice, LGBTQI+ identities, gender identity and expression, transgender awareness, family structures, and the many other dimensions that make our community beautifully complex. No part of who you are is left at the door at La Scuola International School.
Here, we actively work to reject all forms of discrimination. Most importantly, we affirm every community member’s right to be seen, respected, and celebrated. This work is done by all members of our community from our board to our families and is an active part of how we create belonging. It is challenging work but as a community we are committed to opening our minds to the rapidly changing world around us.
Our Values
We value our rich diversity as it directly contributes to La Scuola’s excellence and enhances school life for both individuals and groups. We take pride in unique achievements, celebrate our differences, and encourage each other to express and apply our creative talents through collaborative endeavors.
We believe, in the words of Loris Malaguzzi, that people have 100 different languages with which they share and communicate their thinking, their way of making sense of the world around them, and their way of expressing themselves. We value and believe in the potential of each individual and endeavor to foster the discovery and application of their 100 languages for the wellness of our local and global community.
We reject all acts of discrimination, including but not limited to those based on race, ethnicity, country of origin, gender, age, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, political beliefs, class, income level, family structures, veteran status, and learning style.
We affirm the right of freedom of expression and to communicate in a courteous, sensitive, and respectful manner. We embrace high standards of civility and decency in seeking to create an equitable, inclusive, secure, responsive, and affirming environment that fosters mutual respect, empathy, and trust.
We strive to establish systems that will address the needs of the one and the many.
Our 7 Guiding Principles
Diversity enriches learning and drives innovation.
Cultural and racial literacy are core competencies for every member of our community.
Global perspectives and multiple viewpoints are embedded in everything we teach and learn.
Equity means the right support for every individual, not the same support for everyone.
Belonging is built through representation, relationship, and the daily act of seeing one another fully.
Every child and every adult arrives with strengths, perspectives, and ways of knowing worthy of celebration.
We are lifelong learners, committed to expanding our empathy, awareness, and understanding.