Equity and Justice

Revised and approved by the NAIS board in 2004.

Creating and sustaining an inclusive, equitable, and just independent school community requires commitment, reflection, conscious, and deliberate action, as well as constant vigilance based on the overarching principles of inclusivity, diversity, and multiculturalism. The following Principles of Good Practice for Equity and Justice provide the foundation for such a community.

1. The school establishes the foundation for its commitment to equity and justice in its mission statement and strategic planning.
2. The school respects, affirms, and protects the dignity and worth of each member of the school community.
3. The school establishes, publishes, implements, and reviews policies that promote equity and justice in the life of the school.
4. The school supports the ongoing education of the board, parents, students, and all school personnel as part of the process of creating and sustaining an equitable and just community.
5. The school ensures an anti-bias environment by assessing school culture and addressing issues of equity and justice in pedagogy, assessment, curriculum, programs, admission, and hiring.
6. The school values each and every child, recognizing and teaching to varied learning styles, abilities, and life experiences.
7. The school uses inclusive, anti-bias language in written and oral communication.
8. The school complies with local, state, and federal laws and regulations that promote diversity.
9. The school provides appropriate opportunities for leadership and participation in decision making to all members of the school community.
10. The school includes all families and guardians as partners in the process of creating and sustaining an equitable and just community.
11. The school expects from its students and all members of the community an appreciation of and responsibility for the principles of equity and justice.

The NAIS Principles of Good Practice for member schools define high standards and ethical behavior in key areas of school operations to guide schools in becoming the best education communities they can be.  Accordingly, membership in NAIS is contingent upon agreement to abide by "the spirit" of the PGPs. Principles are precepts grounded in an ethic and ethos of “doing the right thing.”  Practices are common activities. 

NAIS member schools can download individual Principles of Good Practice from this section of the NAIS website for distribution within the school community. Printed booklets (printed once each year) are also available for sale through the bookstore -- but the website is always the most up-to-date collection of the PGPs. It is our hope that the increased visibility of and easy access to the principles will go a long way in helping schools fulfill their missions.