About Us

Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

About The Work

Our work in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is directly connected to the School’s historic mission of “promoting virtue and useful knowledge among the rising generations.” In terms of practical skills and moral development, we believe the skills and attitudes associated with these areas are of the utmost importance as we develop compassionate, open-minded, and globally-minded students.

The words Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) communicate our commitment to building a diverse school community that ensures active and full participation, values fairness and equity, and addresses experiences of underrepresented groups on and off campus. We are confident in the firm foundation we’ve built and our ability to engage each other in challenging dialogue, honest conversation, and respectful discourse.

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Our program is an ongoing journey involving all Berwick Academy community members – students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni. We firmly believe that collaborating and learning from one another can cultivate a supportive and inclusive learning environment that bridges divides and fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect among all members of our community.

Building on the work of the previous strategic plan, which focused on increasing cultural competency at Berwick, the essential goal of the current plan will further its curricular JEDI approach, increase opportunities to partner with local organizations and host creative programming that solidifies the School as a resource both on campus and throughout the Seacoast, while continuing to build a community that more closely reflects the world beyond the Hilltop. 

Join us on this meaningful journey as we continue to shape the future for our students and inspire a more inclusive, equitable, and just community.  

Statement of Community

Berwick Academy is committed to building a diverse school community that ensures active and full participation, values fairness and equity, and addresses the systemic marginalization experienced by underrepresented groups. We strive to support and attract students, families, faculty, staff, and administrators whose varied backgrounds, including disability status, family composition, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, strengthen our community. 
Through our curriculum, co-curricular activities, and community-building efforts, students can expect to leave Berwick Academy Knowing Themselves and what makes up their identity. They will be Socially Aware, open-minded, empathetic, and willing to explore and understand others’ perspectives. We equip our students to be Civically Engaged citizens, so that they may give of themselves and actively work to redress inequity toward a more just society as Equity Minded upstanders and allies.
“Dedicated to promoting virtue and useful knowledge” now and in the future, we must prepare students to understand, identify with, and engage in an ever-changing world.

Faculty & Staff Professional Development

Each year, Berwick Academy faculty and staff participate in local and national conferences focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Examples include, NAIS People of Color Conference, AISNE Diversity Conference, Diversity Directions Independent School Seminar, National Anti Racism Teach-In, and the National SEED Project.

Resources

2022-23 Virtue and Useful Knowledge Speaker Series

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"What Matters To Me" Speeches

Community Groups

  • SEED

    SEED is a year-round faculty and staff professional development experience focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion through personal reflection and testimony, listening to others’ voices, and learning experientially and collectively. Throughout the seven sessions, participants will gain new insights into how educators can make their schools and classrooms more inclusive and fair.

  • Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee

    Committee of trustees responsible for providing ongoing support for the JEDI work at Berwick Academy and maintaining an inclusive boardroom culture that promotes the full participation of a diverse board where members are encouraged to bring their perspectives, identity, and life experience to their board service.

  • JEDI Coalition

    The JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Coalition is a passionate and dynamic group of student leaders who have come together from various clubs, including the Sustainability Club, Diversity Club, Feminist Club, Alliance, and Outreach. Our mission is to foster outreach and social justice initiatives in the Upper School, creating a more inclusive and compassionate community for all. 
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  • Alliance in the Upper School

    A human rights student group that focuses on LGBTQIA+ rights and gender equality by educating the people around us, celebrating and advocating for the differences that make us human, and innovating new ways to spread acceptance through the greater world.

  • Upper School Diversity Club

    Inspired by work at the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, the Berwick Diversity (BD) group in the Upper School focuses on self-reflection, ally-ship, and community building. Throughout the school year, the student group will create regular and consistent spaces for dialogue and conversation with the Berwick community on issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

  • Middle School Bulldogs for Justice

    Bulldogs for Justice aims to be a safe and inclusive environment that encourages members to become active and positive voices within our community. They examine historic and current events in an effort to have conversations that enhance a more complete understanding of the changing world.

  • BPC C.A.R.E.S.

    Community, Awareness, Respect, Education & Support (C.A.R.E.S): A parent-led group within the BPC focusing on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through educational and community programming.

  • Alumni for Social Justice

    Alumni of underrepresented racial, ethnic, LGBTQIA+, and ally identities, who are engaging in the school’s JEDI work by supporting the work with students. This group also provides a space to share thoughts on the ongoing national discourse on race and racism.
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Berwick Academy

31 Academy Street
South Berwick, Maine 03908

Contact:
Admission | 207.384.6300
Main Office | 207.384.2164
Berwick Academy, situated on an 80-acre campus just over one hour north of Boston, serves 520 students, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Postgraduates. Berwick students are from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and several countries. Deeply committed to its mission of promoting virtue and useful knowledge, Berwick Academy empowers students to be creative and bold. Berwick strives to graduate alumni who shape their own learning, take risks, ask thoughtful questions, and come to understand and celebrate their authentic selves.

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