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The Providence Country Day School

Private K-12 School

Mailing Address
660 Waterman Ave.
East Providence, Rhode Island 02914
Phone
(401) 438-5170
School Information
The Providence Country Day School was founded in 1923. "Initially a small all-boys middle and high school, PCD was able to successfully navigate its commitment to becoming a coeducational institution thanks to a strict adherence to its founding principles. In 1991 the school admitted its first female students, and in 1998 the Board of Trustees hired Susan Haberlandt as Head of School to lead and secure the school through those critical transformational years and beyond" (Source: https://www.providencecountryday.org/about-pcd/mission-values-and-history). Furthermore, "the mission of The Providence Country Day School is to inspire lives of engaged citizenship in an inclusive community that values the unique strengths of all students." The school continues to state that, "Diversity is the wealth of our community. When people embrace different perspectives, we are enriched with an increased cultural awareness and sense of belonging" (Source: https://www.providencecountryday.org/about-pcd/mission-values-and-history). The school has 355 Students on two campuses, an average class size of 12 students and has 36 faculty members. (Source: https://www.providencecountryday.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAutyfBhCMARIsAMgcRJRRr5MuoQyUr3RVfdMBdZI4m6KD4E0sYa-jQLNHoBhpuyQKRAWZW6oaAv6pEALw_wcB)
General Information
Providence has demonstrated the school's commitment to DEI through several various steps. Namely, the school hosts numerous workshops on topics ranging from microagression to equity. DEI concepts are incorporated as a priority in clubs, programs, and events. Furthermore, the school has a Diversity Board Subcommittee which further regulates the incorporation of DEI into the school's infrastructure. See developments below:

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • The school's Admissions webpage states that "PCD seeks to enroll students from diverse backgrounds who have shown consistently strong academic achievement, as well as responsible citizenship, intellectual curiosity, and the desire to be respectful and actively engaged members of their school community."
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • The school's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lists its many activities and workshops, including a faculty and upper school workshop titled "Microaggression."
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion is promoted at PCD through the many DEI activities and workshops including the “Difference Between Equity and Equality” upper school workshop.
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • The school describes its "Community Curriculum" by stating that "topics like race and gender, and family and heritage color our world but rarely are afforded a forum in a school setting to discuss them freely, confront our personal biases, and openly share our different points of view." The school goes on to say that "students often discover an appreciation for someone he/she never would have taken the time to know, a commitment to social justice, and/or a new sense of belonging."
Resources
  • The school's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion describes the "Knights For Change Alumni Network" as an "Alumni organization committed to fostering racial equity at PCD." Knights For Change are "working to transform PCD into an 'anti-racist’ institution by implementing new policies and educational procedures."
  • The school's "Students of Color Union" aims to "build and strengthen the solidarity among our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community at Providence Country Day." Union activities include: "conversations around race, cultural sharing, discussion of PCD culture, what it is like to be a student of color at PCD, cultural events, etc."
  • The school's "Diversity Board Subcommittee" is comprised of "parents, alumni, trustees, and faculty interested in planning and executing the vision of DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] work at PCD."
  • The school's "Upper School Activity Day" serves to "establish connections between new and returning students, eliminate bias, and establish common ground—a foundation for growth and collaboration during the coming school year."
Symbolic Actions
  • The school makes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion a priority through the many DEI programs, clubs and events at PCD.
  • PCD has a “full-time Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion who is responsible for DEI programming throughout the school year. The DEI Director works with the Students of Color Union and also organizes activities and education in conjunction with events and holidays throughout the school year. Some of these include Black History Month, Women’s History Month, World Cultures Day, and the annual Students of Color Conference.”
Last updated November 27th, 2023
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