DEI | Marvelwood School | Kent, Connecticut

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DEI

Preparing students for a diverse world.

Learning to live in a community requires empathy, curiosity, and courage. 

At Marvelwood, students practice these skills every day through dialogue, shared experiences, and the willingness to grow. They leave not only with a deeper understanding of others, but with a stronger sense of who they are and how they can contribute to a more just and compassionate world.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just formal initiatives; they are living, breathing values we have embodied since our inception.
 

Students smiling and posing for photo

Values we live by

Marvelwood is renowned for our inclusive culture and community.

 We work intentionally to create a school climate where dignity, empathy, and understanding guide daily interactions—and where differences are not just acknowledged, but valued. 

Our culture of respect allows us to share and debate different viewpoints while honoring the truth that every individual deserves to feel safe, supported, and free to be their authentic self. Social awareness is part of how students learn to live, lead, and care for one another. That’s why it’s emphasized in everything we do. 

 


 

Students shaping our community

In 1988, Marvelwood established the Cultural and Social Awareness (CASA) Club, a pioneering effort to celebrate inclusion and strengthen understanding within a growing and diverse community. 

Since then, students have continued to shape this work, partnering with faculty and administrators to promote equity, compassion, and meaningful change. Today, CASA, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Board, and a variety of programming provide multiple pathways for students to lead, learn, and deepen their understanding of identity, culture, and belonging. 

Marvelwood’s efforts are guided by the NAIS Standards of Good Practice: Equity & Justice.

 


 

student-led advocacy 

CASA (Cultural and Social Awareness)

CASA brings students together to strengthen the community’s understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion through dialogue, education, and campus programming. Members strive to lead with empathy and action by:

  • Serving as role models in the community
  • Standing as allies to those who face discrimination
  • Being active bystanders
  • Showing respect to all students and faculty
  • Sharing knowledge and fostering compassion
  • Educating peers through conversation and programming
Students reading together

 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Board

The DEI Board is a student-led, faculty-supported group that advocates for fellow students and serves as a bridge between the student body and administration.  Members work to ensure that every student feels supported, understood, and included in the life of the school.

 


 

Community Events & Experiences

Throughout the year, students engage in programs and events that deepen understanding and celebrate the diversity of the Marvelwood community:

See Events & Experiences
  • Cultural Movie Nights
  • Round Square Exchanges and Global Conferences
  • All-School Presentations & Discussion Groups
  • Heritage Dinner
  • Monthly Cultural Observances
  • Black History Month Enrichment Saturday
  • Vigils & Fundraising
  • Model United Nations
  • World Religions Observances
  • Alumni Panels
  • Professional Speakers
  • End-of-Year Cultural Festival
  • Veterans Day Commemoration
  • China Blog
  • Indigenous Peoples Day Observance
These shared experiences encourage all members of the Marvelwood community to listen, reflect, and engage with perspectives beyond their own.