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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
At Falk, we recognize the importance of cultural and intellectual diversity and support our students in adopting a mindset of curiosity, mutual respect, and appreciation of the differences in our community.
Diversity at Falk encompasses the colors of our skin, the languages we speak, and the countries we come from. It includes our gender identities, our sexual identities, and the structures of our families. Diversity extends to our religions and the traditions we observe, and it includes the financial resources of our families, the ways in which students learn, and the individual needs of our children. Falk Laboratory School embraces our community’s many distinctive heritages, values, and beliefs.
Fostering a community where members reflect on and value equity and inclusion is integral to the creation of a socially just society. At Falk, we also seek to foster a community that understands the benefits and responsibilities of living in an inclusive, equitable, and diverse world. We believe it is our responsibility to engage in the larger community and prepare our students for life beyond the school’s walls.
Since its inception, Falk has been a model of collaboration. Children work daily in pairs or groups at all grades and in all content areas. Through working together, our children come to value the strengths that each individual brings to a task. Families are also encouraged to share customs and celebrations with the community so that our children gain a deeper awareness of and respect for diverse cultures.
Falk’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice is also reflected by the curriculum. Throughout their time at Falk, students regularly engage with content chosen by faculty to highlight diverse voices and promote cross-cultural understanding. From learning about disabilities and neurodiversity to studying young changemakers like the Little Rock Nine, these lessons expose students to diverse life experiences and foster empathy and critical thinking skills. Additionally, starting in kindergarten, students are taught the importance of honoring human dignity and encouraged to adopt a mindset of respect and curiosity when faced with conflicting viewpoints.
Beginning in middle school, students take Social Justice class one trimester each year. Based on the Learning for Justice curriculum, students begin by recognizing they are not defined by a single narrative and celebrating a variety of cultures and experiences. They investigate historical and current events related to immigration and resettlement, and explore people and movements aimed at combating inequities and advancing justice and freedom.
Falk also supports a variety of extracurricular programs to help students, caregivers, faculty, and staff explore issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in a safe environment.
In addition to the Falk Laboratory School Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Bullying Policy, we recognize and uphold the University of Pittsburgh’s Nondiscrimination Policy.