An Independent School • Grades 5-12

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Shared values that bring us together

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akeside’s approach to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is embedded in the mission: to sustain “a school in which individuals representing diverse cultures and experiences instruct one another in the meaning and value of community and in the joy and importance of lifelong learning.”

Our strategic plan, Hope in Action, articulates our community’s commitment to this work as a foundational aspect of Lakeside School, making visible its deliberate nature and expressing the necessity of every member of our community sharing this commitment:
At Lakeside, we build belonging and community by striving to ensure that every person is seen, heard, and valued. Our practices, structures, and approaches are designed to model equity, inclusion, and belonging in our classrooms, on our fields, and in our community engagement with all our students, families, faculty, staff, and alums. Our collective shared embrace of an equity and inclusion mindset is critical to fostering a transformative educational environment that prepares students for the future.To learn more, contact Director of Equity and Inclusion Debbie Bensadon and other team members at dei@lakesideschool.org or 206-440-2908. 

Our work together

Over the past half-century, Lakeside has developed programs and processes to make the school more inclusive and equitable to all individuals. Administrators, faculty, and staff are taking actions that have an immediate impact as well proactively moving toward systemic and institutional changes that will have sustained impact. 

Members of the Lakeside community are encouraged to review what the school has done, what is planned, and share their constructive ideas about actions we should consider taking. Click the titles below to learn more about our work in each of these areas.

Shared language and terms help build an understanding of programs and efforts. Students, faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees regularly engage in meaningful conversations about these terms and how they live in the school and community.

DEIB news at Lakeside

A black and white photo of Latasia Lanier and two students standing at the edge of the Edmund Pettus bridge

by Debbie Bensadon, director of equity and inclusion; Latasia Lanier, LEEP director and family support/Rainier Scholars liaison; and Bryan Smith, director of experiential education

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