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PHOTO: UNISUS SCHOOL PHOTO: ASPENGROVE SCHOOL SOUTHRIDGE At Southridge K-12 independent school in Surrey, DEI isn't enough. The team prefers the term 'pluralism' because it means recognizing, valuing and respecting individual differences. "Being at a school that embraces pluralism, our differences are not seen as threatening," says Darren Jones, assistant head of school. "They present opportunities to learn from one another and enrich our lives and community with new perspectives and ideas. Every person is free to express the different identities that contribute to uniqueness. Everyone belongs." As school decisions are made, everyone uses their PERC lenses, which include considering plural perspectives; environmental implications; potential risks; and impact on the school community. "Diversity begets inclusion," Jones says. "It's beyond a moral imperative to do this work at Southridge, as there are truly educational benefits to having a diverse and inclusive community." Southridge students have demonstrated agency and leadership in many related areas, including uniform updates, cultural event planning and community presentations. Staff Pluralism initiatives include sitting on the Pluralism Committee, supporting students with Clubs, and facilitating curriculum that shines light on age-appropriate issues related to diversity, inclusion, equity, accessibility, neurodiversity, and social justice. "Traditional educational models with desks in rows pose a challenge to this work," Jones says. "The idea that the teacher or the resource holds all of the knowledge (or the "correct" knowledge) is outdated and not in line with the values of Pluralism." This is why Southridge embraces discussion-based learning across its K-12 curriculum, specifically in the senior school, where it uses the Harkness philosophy of teaching. "When you walk into any of our grade 8-12 classrooms, you'll see students and a teacher seated together at a large, oval table engaged in conversation," Jones says. "Harkness teaching is directly reflective of the values of pluralism." ASPENGROVE Aspengrove in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island is an IB school where international mindedness is fostered in everything the school does. "We respect and explore other cultures every day, from JK3 all the way to grade 12," says J.O. Eriksson, MYP teacher & Indigenous education coordinator. "For example, we have units that explore belief systems, immigration and ways of being around the world." This intercultural celebration continues year-round and in all grades, and in 2022, Aspengrove updated its grade 10 curriculum to include Indigenous learning into Literary Studies and New Media courses. "We create a sense of value and belonging for students identifying as Indigenous with different action pieces, such as learning greetings and plant identification using basic words in Hul'q'umi'num, reading books written by Indigenous authors, learning about tradition and culture from Indigenous artists and presenters, and acknowledging Indigenous Ways of Learning and Being in each classroom," Eriksson says. One challenge is that all schools have a wide range of family belief systems, and this can sometimes lead to uncomfortable lines of questioning. "We do our best to educate families, hold information sessions and engage in courageous dialogues with those families," Eriksson says. "We teach our students critical thinking skills, and this helps to engage in challenging conversations at home as well." PEAR TREE Pear Tree School is a progressive, co-ed, secular, and combined grades school with a culturally and socio-economically diverse school community. "We view this diversity as a strength," says Alexis Birner, co-founder and principal. "Everything about our school embodies the progressive DEI values that we collectively represent." Even Pear Tree's non-traditional uniform is designed to break away from the colonial / gender stereotype, mini businessperson appearance. Instead, it embraces a collective school identity and a sense of belonging, socioeconomic and gender equality, and an undefined future career path for students. "People make or break a school," Birner says. "As parents have noted, every member of the Pear Tree team makes a daily impact on their child. Teachers view every student in the school as 'their student,' not just those in their classroom, and try to foster a positive relationship with every child. Continued on page 52 PHOTO: SOUTHRIDGE SCHOOL I N D E P E N D E N T S C H O O L F E A T U R E