Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism
Baltimore Curriculum Project, along with Baltimore City Public Schools, commits to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment of learning for all students, families, and employees.
BCP aspires for all members of our community to have a sense of belonging, connectedness, and to feel physically and emotionally safe around our multiple identities: among them race, age, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, family composition, ability/disability, learning styles, religion, sexuality, and socio-economic status.
We seek to ensure that all aspects of school life reflect our commitment by
- Respecting all individuals
- Learning from different perspectives and experiences
- Examining our biases and endeavoring to overcome them
Anti-Racism and Social Justice
BCP believes that a quality education includes acknowledging our past failings and confronting ongoing struggles. Only when we join together in acknowledging and confronting racism in our society and ourselves can we move forward towards greater reconciliation and healing.
All BCP schools have a school-based DEI committee that is responsible for assessing and making recommendations to ensure equity in school policies and curriculum, including a focus on anti-racism and social justice.
Below are some examples of how BCP along with Baltimore City Public Schools are working to embody our commitment around diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence.
- City Springs Elementary/Middle school received a Rainbow Library with support from GLSEN. The library contains 10 age-appropriate books, posters, and supplemental resources. Staff also created a series of professional development activities around curriculum, anti-racism, and social justice.
- At Hampstead Hill Academy, the staff created a Diversity and Equity Committee that has helped with curriculum, recruitment issues, staff awareness, and more.
- At Wolfe Street Academy, staff have focused on building their capacity around race, community, and identity through a series of workshops lead by experts in this field.
- Govans Elementary incorporated gender-neutral facilities into their new 21st Century School building. Additionally, staff started a book club in which they discuss how to address issues facing their community.
- Frederick Elementary has woven social justice issues into its vision and mission from the very beginning of its conversion to a charter school, ensuring that paying attention to race and social justice are part of the established culture at Frederick.
- Our newest BCP school, as of July 1, 2021, is Pimlico Elementary and Middle School. It is an established institution in the Park Heights community and no stranger to the issues of social justice and equity. Part of our early work with Pimlico focused on school climate and culture, which takes into account Park Heights’ history and the parallel history of Baltimore.
To read City Schools full Equity Policy, click here.
To read City Schools’ Student Fair Practices including nondiscrimination, sex-based discrimination, and LGBTQ support, click here.
