About Archmere

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Archmere’s Commitment to DEI

As a community, Archmere strives to create a welcoming and inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of the Auk community. Saint Norbert's vision was to give people a "sense of place" and belonging, and the Archmere Academy community seeks to embody that vision. Archmere has been examining its role in the fight to confront racism, promote social justice and deepen our collective understanding, communication, and mutual support. Archmere embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion wholeheartedly, recognizing that what inspires its students most to achieve excellence are the relationships they form while they are here. This commitment to an inclusive identity embracing the school community is reflected today in the school’s mission statement, core values, and everyday operations.

At Archmere Academy, we intentionally work to develop educational programming that teaches the importance of confronting and unlearning biases that impact us personally and collectively. As we strive to increasingly become a more equitable learning community, Archmere seeks to always cultivate a culture of safety and belonging where every member feels comfortable bringing their authentic and diverse self to campus. Working with a diverse community of students, we embrace our five core values of Community, Respect, Zeal, Reverence, and Wisdom. It is our commitment to embody our values through the policies, practices, and culture we strive to build together.

Archmere defines diversity as embracing the wide range of human characteristics used to mark or identify individual and group identities. Our students enter our classrooms with a rich array of identities, including:

Race
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Varying socioeconomic backgrounds
Religion
Cognitive ability
Language proficiency
Physical ability
Family structure.

These dimensions of identity can have a significant impact on how our students learn. When we intentionally understand, honor, and celebrate the dimensions of identity, we can impact teaching, leading, and learning for all.

Establishing Best Practices

The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) developed a survey to help schools gather information on school climate. Archmere, along with several other independent schools across the country, partnered with NAIS to conduct the Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) survey. Read Archmere's survey results.

Data-Driven Outcomes

The AIM survey was administered to 668 members of the Archmere community. All students, trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni were invited to participate. Through an initial review of this survey results, the AIM Steering Committee discovered that members of the Archmere community wanted more DEI-centric programming to help increase the enrollment of diverse students and faculty. Training to increase skills when addressing and discussing DEI topics. We also discovered from the constituents that participated in the survey that members of the Archmere community hold citizenship in 18 different countries besides the United States, which is a great starting point to begin to highlight the richness of diversity of the existing Archmere Community members.

DEI Centric Programming

List of 3 items.

Culture Night

Culture Night is offered in the fall every year. This event serves as an intentional gathering serving as a way to get to know and learn more about the rich cultural diversity that makes the Archmere Community great.
Multicultural Open House

Begun in October 2021, this event is designed for multicultural students and families to learn more about Archmere and ask questions specific to their needs. Prospective families that attend this event participate in a campus tour as well as discussions with alumni, parents, staff, and current students.
YW Leaders
Archmere Students complete a 12-week training to become Nationally Certified Racial and Social Justice Facilitators. This training curriculum was designed by The YWCA of Delaware's. office of Racial and Social Justice. Archmere has trained and certified over 50 students over the past three years. The YW Leader Program trains the students to be able to do the following:
- Develop language and knowledge to accurately and respectfully describe how people (including themselves) are both similar to and different from each other and others in their identity groups.
- Respectfully express curiosity about the history and lived experiences of others and will exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way.
- Respond to diversity by building empathy, respect, understanding, and connection.
- Express comfort with people who are both similar to and different from them and engage respectfully with all people.
- Examine diversity in social, cultural, political, and historical contexts rather than in ways that are superficial or oversimplified.
- Develop the confidence and skills to actively participate and become involved in the local school, and community initiatives relating to racial and social justice
- Learn to facilitate healthy dialogues among peers regarding racial and social justices