Making a new tradition, Oratory students rose to the challenge of delivering their final speeches online.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
"Brooks School commits itself to creating a socially just community that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, because doing so is critical to providing the most meaningful educational experience our students will have in their lives."
Brooks School's Commitment
To achieve our mission “to provide the most meaningful educational experience our students will have in their lives,” Brooks School is building a community where each one of us need not hide behind a mask, and can feel valued and affirmed in our true identity.
These identifiers include race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, religion, physical ability, age, sexual orientation, gender expression, learning styles, family structure, language and geographic place of origin.
We believe a diverse community enriches the lives of each member, and in this spirit we welcome individuals who support these values.
We strive to assure that our students, in all of the physical and virtual aspects of Brooks School, will see themselves reflected in our curricula and in the faces of our trustees, administrators, teachers, and staff.
We work to create a school where we are able to recognize our similarities and differences and where each individual has a voice to engage in community conversations with mutual empathy and respect.
We acknowledge the aspirations of this statement and the challenges of working together toward equity. We welcome these challenges and commit ourselves to creating a school that embraces the full identity of each of our students, their families, and all of our employees.
Letters to the Community
"As we close in on the end of a week that has drawn a great deal of feeling and emotion to the surface at school and across the country, I am glad to have this opportunity to be in touch..."
Read Head of School John Packard's Nov. 6 DEI Update
"We are grateful for the conversations this transformational movement aimed at stamping out racial injustice has generated on our campus ..."
Read head of school john Packard's June 18 letter
"It is important we acknowledge watershed moments in Black history"
READ DEAN OF COMMUNITY LIFE ASHLEY JOHNSTON'S LETTER
"We are wrestling with the pain and frustration that has followed the tragic killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis..."
Read head of school john Packard's June 2 Letter
Employees' Professional Development
Speakers kicking off Brooks' employees professional development in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work for the fall 2020 school year included:
- Raising Race Questions author Ali Michael, Ph.D.
During a series of sessions and workshops in Michael's August 20 “How Race Matters: Building an Anti-Racist Classroom” program, the co-founder and director of The Race Institute for K-12 Educators gave Brooks employees tools to do their part in building an anti-racist community.
- Professional Coach Liza A. Talusan, Ph.D.
The educator and speaker — who works with schools on equity and inclusion issues — held a three-part series for Brooks employees on October 1, October 15 and October 29. Talusan addressed why race matters and how to have conversations that move DEI work forward; dismantling problematic biases; and leadership/change management. She has also worked with Brooks on implicit-bias training, held for all Brooks department chairs and faculty members directly involved in the hiring process.
Community Stories
Read more
about Speaking Out
As Brooks prioritizes its work toward becoming an anti-racist institution, we share an accounting of the school's efforts toward diversity, equity and inclusion.
Teachers were invited to present their students' initiative to recognize campus' indigenous populations at a conference for educators.
This fall, Ryan Kelleher '24 started "Brooks Talk" — and a conversation that's helping students get to know one another better.
With travel to campus prohibited during the pandemic, the school is bringing its annual mini reunion to alumni this year offering 13 virtual events throughout the month of November.
Through a new Peer Advisor Program, members of the class of 2021 are trying to reduce the stigma associated with reaching out for emotional help.
Hybrid classes and outdoor everything: Brooks school students are discovering new ways to study and socialize on campus this autumn. Student prefects share their impressions.
After fall games were cancelled, Brooks got creative and decided to offer a whole new lineup of fun things to do, and sports to play, almost every day.
Third-form educators share some scoop — about life at Brooks, in the classroom and the community — with incoming third formers, plus offer advice that everyone can use!
Before classes began, Brooks employees participated in professional development focused on building a school community in which everyone can be their full self.
DEI Team Partnership
Brooks' DEI faculty team (above, from left: Dean of Community Life Ashley Johnston; Director of Multicultural Affairs and Outreach Kenya Jones; and Director of DEI Curriculum and Programming Michael Veit) facilitates a wide-ranging program for the Brooks community:
- Coordinating and organizing a calendar of events to bring speakers, workshops and activities to campus to address DEI issues.
- Connecting and collaborating with alumni and Brooks' alumni office.
- Assessing the community's needs, and promoting community values related to issues of DEI.
- Collaborating in the development of DEI curriculum initiatives.
- Facilitating the development of Equity Grievance Protocols for Brooks students and employees.
"Given the heightened awareness concerning racial injustice in the country, we are steadfastly devoted to working with the Brooks community to combat and disrupt systemic and institutional racism. We are committed to making this work a movement rather than a moment.”
Kenya Jones
Diversity Leadership Council
The Diversity Leadership Council supports a number of programs, groups, and clubs on campus with the goal of increasing our community-wide understanding of various experiences and perspectives. The collaborative work of adults increases our awareness and practice as an inclusive institution working towards our school’s mission statement.
Campus Affinity Groups
Asian Student Alliance (ASA)
The Asian Student Alliance is an association made up of students of Asian descent at Brooks School. Through on- and off-campus events, ASA will come together in a variety of ways to celebrate and support Asian students at Brooks.
Alianza Latina (AL)
Alianza is an affinity group for students who share Latinx or Hispanic heritage.
Black Students Union (BSU)
BSU is an affinity group for any student who identifies as Black, African or African-American.
Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
GSA functions as both an affinity group for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community and an interest group for people who wish to serve as allies and friends to community members.
Women Incorporated (WINC)
WINC serves as an affinity group for female identified students to engage in work and discussions pertaining to gender equality.
Established in 2020, the Davis Fellows Program joins the Davis Scholars Program that currently serves Brooks School's student population.
Named for Brooks School alumnus Andrew Davis ‘81, the two programs honor his family’s commitment to supporting the futures of young people from underrepresented populations in independent schools.
"At Brooks School, we live and learn on land once of the Pennacook people, and we acknowledge their enduring presence."