Statement of Inclusivity

We are committed to building a connected community that embraces multiple perspectives and cultural competency to strengthen gifted education and growth in the whole child.

At Mirman, we strive to integrate inclusivity in our curriculum, school culture, and institutional identity.

We honor and support a community built on diversity of thought, experiences, and identities to best engage our students in the academic, sociocultural, and complex world in which we learn and live.

Dignity. Belonging. Justice.

Our equity and inclusion work is guided by the NAIS Principles of Good Practice; the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community; the Board Committee on Inclusivity; Mirman's Statement of Inclusivity, philosophy of education, and Core Values; and the overarching theme of "Dignity, Belonging, and Justice," where every member of the Mirman community has the right to be seen, affirmed, valued, and advocated for.

Equity and inclusion at Mirman bridge three areas of school life: curriculum and instruction, culture and climate, and institutional identity. Guided by the Board of Trustees' vision and strategic plan, students, families, and educators partner together to teach, learn, and practice inclusivity and equity in our connected community.

Our work includes but is not limited to curriculum planning, affinity groups, community-wide education and programming, service learning, and campus activities and events.

Guiding Principles and Practice

Mirman’s equity and inclusion work is guided by the National Association of Independent School’s (NAIS) Principles of Good Practice for Equity and Justice.

We strengthen ourselves, our relationships, and our communities by affirming differences and enriching connections through cultural competency and anti-bias education. These intersecting practices enable us to nurture constructive lifelong learners through the following principles:

Cultural Competency — How we understand cultural differences and apply that understanding within the context of community

Cultural Self-Awareness: How does my cultural identity influence the way I interact on a daily basis?
Awareness of Other Cultures: What is my understanding of the culture of the individuals/groups I engage with?
Cross-Cultural Effectiveness Skills: What skills do I need to work effectively across differences?
Advocating for Equity through Inclusion: How do I manage the dynamics of privilege and bias that may impact my daily interactions, in order to work toward a better world?

Anti-Bias Education — What cultural competency looks like in curriculum, instruction, and community engagement through the lens of identity development

Identity: Students and community members will demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social identities.
Diversity: Students and community members will express comfort and joy with human diversity; accurate language for human differences; and deep, caring human connections.
Justice: Students and community members will increasingly recognize unfairness, have language to describe unfairness, and understand that unfairness hurts.
Action/Advocacy: Students and community members will demonstrate empowerment and the skills to act, with others or alone, against prejudice and/or discriminatory actions.

Affinity Groups

Utilizing the Learning for Justice Anti-Bias Framework, affinity groups aim to support students, families, faculty, and staff in: 1) building positive self-identities, 2) expressing an appreciation for the identities of others, 3) recognizing unfairness, and 4) empowering themselves and members of the community to take action against prejudice and discrimination.

In practice, affinity groups at Mirman provide the opportunity to:

Build a sense of belonging: Affinity groups provide a space for community members to connect with people who share similar experiences, backgrounds, and identities. Affinity groups may also have the opportunity to organize events and celebrations throughout the school year.
Promote understanding and empathy: Affinity groups encourage open dialogue, discussions, and activities that promote understanding and empathy. By learning from each other's experiences and perspectives, community members can develop a deeper appreciation for diversity and challenge biases or stereotypes.
Raise awareness: Affinity groups offer opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of different cultures, backgrounds, and identities.
Empower student voices: Affinity groups provide opportunities for students to share their experiences, raise awareness about relevant issues, and contribute to a more inclusive school culture.
Encourage self-reflection: Affinity groups provide the space needed for members within a shared identity to reflect on their own experiences and judgments and explore the question: “What does my reaction say about me?”

For more information about equity and inclusion at Mirman, please contact the Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Community.

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16180 Mulholland Drive Los Angeles, CA 90049 | info@mirman.org | Tel: (310) 476-2868 | Fax: (310) 471-1532

Non-discrimination Policy

Mirman School is committed to building and sustaining a community
that is free from discrimination of any kind. Mirman School does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender
expression, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in its admission
process or in the administration of any school program or policy.

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