National Cathedral School

As part of its 2018 Strategic Plan, and its goal to "advance an inclusive educational environment," the school said that it will "Expand training opportunities for faculty, staff, parents, and trustees regarding multicultural education, inclusion, and equity and opportunity for all."

The school said that it had conversations this summer and fall with students, faculty, staff, and alumnae to discuss race, systemic and institutional racism, microaggressions, and "steps that will move us toward being a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community."

The school stated, "We are continuing to broaden the conversation around DEI to include parents and alumnae." The school hosted four "Diversity 101" for alumni and a "diversity parent conversation over Zoom."

The school announced, "Faculty and staff are engaging in conversations to become more intentional about how to identify microaggressions, to convey that disrespect is not tolerated in any circumstance, to teach that misinformation and assumptions breed misunderstanding and misinformation, and to address these situations as immediately as possible." The school also said, "We are reviewing our student handbook and the policies therein with a lens toward fairness, equity, inclusion, and providing a safe and respectful environment for all community members. We want age-appropriate responses to educate and hold students accountable for actions that harm members of the community."

The school announced that "Diversity training is required for all our faculty and staff." The school also stated, "The topics of our chapel and Cathedral services will also reflect our faith tradition and our school’s ongoing commitment to DEI."

In its 2025 job postings, the school states that it seeks "candidates who will embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to ensure a strongly connected and engaged community in and outside of the classroom."

The student Equity board joined a school official in "transforming Diversity Forum into a year-long program," with annual themes such as "Allyship" and "Media Matters."

City Journal reports, "National Cathedral School’s ten-step plan involved an anti-racist faculty reading group as well as work with the Glasgow Group consultancy." The report also said, "A National Cathedral update noted how teachers read Kendi, Robin DiAngelo, and other “DEI content” in the summer of 2020

The school has expanded its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with a new "Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Ethical Leadership" and "new deans of DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging)."

Students can participate in the school's Intersectionality Council, Diversity Forum, and Equity Board. Additionally, the school sends students and faculty to the Student Diversity Leadership Conference and People of Color Conference, respectively.

Faculty and staff have the "Faculty and Staff Diversity Committee," "In(clusive) House Professional Development Day," and SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) program.

Parents can participate in Community Book Club and "Diversity Forum Annual Family Education Night."

The Upper School Social Sciences Curriculum offers classes such as "History of Social Justice," where students "have the opportunity to engage with issues such as environmental justice, residential segregation, LGBTQ rights, and more."

In December 2023, students attended the "Student Diversity Leadership Conference, sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools." This was the 5th time the school had sent students to the conference.

The Upper School English Curriculum offers classes including "NAR Race & Freedom," which "illustrates how narratives of race and freedom are constructed and charted in the works of North American writers." Furthermore, "students will examine various themes which frame these hemispheric literary productions, including slavery, colonial and post-colonial, identity, and culture, to name only a few."

The school welcomed two co-coordinators of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Additionally, DEI consultants from the Glasgow Group will "support us in our work."

The school said, "NCS has provided more time and space in the school schedule for all students, faculty, and staff to engage in critical conversations around topics of race, anti-racism, social justice, and inclusion."

The school's summer reading included "White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism" by Robin DiAngelo and "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi.

The school's "the Governing Board formed a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) task force."