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Groton School

Private K-12 School

Mailing Address
282 Farmers Row
Groton, Massachusetts 01450
Phone
(978) 448-3363
School Information
"Our mission: to inspire lives of character, scholarship, leadership, and service within a diverse, inclusive, and close-knit community. "The school's motto, Cui Servire Est Regnare, derived from the Book of Common Prayer, originally referred to a person's service to God. The motto is now accepted more broadly to connote service to the community and the world, and it inspires many Grotonians to make community service part of their lives. Groton had two earlier mottos, before the turn of the twentieth century: Esse quam videri (To be rather than to seem) and the lesser-known Deo Magistro Semper Condiscipuli (Forever fellow-learners, God, our Master, blessing)." The school enrolls 379 students, employs 95 faculty, and offers courses in subjects ranging from STEM to classics. (Source: https://www.groton.org/about) (Source: https://www.groton.org/about/fast-facts) (Source: https://www.groton.org/academics/curriculum)
General Information
Groton School has launched an anti-racism initiative. The school has contributed $50,000 and organized a Curricular Working Group to "delve into the history of structural racism" and "incorporate an understanding of how oppressive narratives continue to shape the way we all think."

Actions Taken

Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • At convocation, the headmaster "called for an end to anti-Black racism, emphasizing the school’s commitment to curricular reform."
  • "There is a new Curricular Working Group initiated by teachers and faculty." The purpose is to "delve into the history of structural racism and must incorporate an understanding of how oppressive narratives continue to shape the way we all think."
Program and Research Funding
  • "Anonymous members of the board have agreed to donate $50,000 to be distributed proportionally among the 5 organizations alumni donate to most."
Resources
  • Groton's first faculty meeting, included "workshops on diversity and inclusion" and "conversations about diversity, anti-racism, bias, and privilege." The facilitator defined "diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice."
  • "Members of the Curricular Working Group and the Residential Working Group held an on-campus retreat, touching on topics from inclusive pedagogy and equity in grading to what gender inclusion means in the classroom and how to facilitate difficult conversations about race." Activities of the retreat included sessions on "Inclusive Pedagogy," "Courageous Conversations," and "Equity and Assessments."
Symbolic Actions
  • On July 6, 2020, Groton announced on Facebook that it “put a stake in the anti-racist ground seven years ago.” This post was also featured on its Twitter and Instagram accounts.
  • On June 20, 2020, Groton announced on Facebook, “Groton School and the Board of Trustees stand in solidarity with those seeking to end systemic racism and realize justice in the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. We are inspired by the courageous activism of people of all races standing up for justice in the world, and we aspire to be part of the solution that ends conscious and subconscious racism. As trustees representing the school, we stand against discrimination of all forms and are committed to action.” This post was also featured on its Twitter and Instagram accounts.
  • On June 6, 2020, Groton announced numerous initiatives Groton is undertaking to combat “racial injustice.” This post was also featured on its Twitter and Instagram accounts.
  • On June 2, 2020, Groton stated on Facebook, “Headmaster Maqubela suggests we look to MLK for wisdom and hope as conflict grips our cities following the tragic death of George Floyd.” This post was also featured on its Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Last updated July 26th, 2022
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