Our Purpose
In order to deliver on our mission — Success for Every Student — we must first start by acknowledging that systemic racism exists and impacts our historically marginalized students in profoundly harmful and long-lasting ways.
This systemic harm exists in the educational system as well. Historically marginalized students are more likely to be disciplined, suspended and involved with the police. Historically marginalized students also see higher dropout rates and lower access to Advanced Placement classes, despite the fact that these students can succeed in AP courses if given the opportunity. These realities are correlated with other inequities that students experience in adulthood, including disparities in health and socioeconomics.
In light of these challenges, it is critically important that all of our students understand the importance of equity in a world that is becoming increasingly diverse during their high school journey and beyond. For these reasons and more, our commitment to equity is inextricably tied to our vision and values and our equity work interwoven into the student learning experience.
Through all of our initiatives to become an anti-racist school community, we hold ourselves accountable to the following mission, vision and commitments:
Mission
To ensure a sense of inclusion, belonging and dignity for all of our Stevenson High School community.
Vision
At SHS, we practice inclusion with intention by enhancing our collective cultural competence, centering the voices and experiences of all groups of stakeholders, removing all systemic barriers for full student access in curricular and co-curricular planning, and dismantling systems that perpetuate inequities.
Commitment
- We will appreciate diversity as an asset: Our commitment to the full inclusion of all of our students is built upon a foundation of appreciating our similarities and differences. All learning environments at SHS serve as a reflection of our rich diversity.
- We will engage in courageous conversations: Critical conversations about diversity are not always easy, but necessary to provide all of our students the best possible educational experience. We acknowledge that systemic barriers prevent full equity for all.
- We will amplify voices of students and families: We are committed to working tirelessly to fully engage our students and families as advocates for their children. We work to find multiple ways to amplify the voices of our students and respond to their diverse needs.
- We will commit to continuous learning: We are committed to continuous learning to ultimately dismantle all systems that perpetuate inequities. We work relentlessly to examine personal and organizational barriers in order to take action for the benefit of all.