Like many throughout the nation, Kirby Hall School is saddened by recent events afflicted on the Black community, as well as, the ongoing racial inequity in American society.
At Kirby Hall, we believe it is our responsibility to be part of the solution to end racism and racial inequality. In light of recent events, Kirby Hall would like to announce our renewed commitment to this cause in the following ways:
- Kirby Hall School is committed to building a Primer- 12th grade curriculum that both celebrates the achievements and assets of the Black community, and litigates the historic and ongoing racism in the United States. We strive to prepare students to understand their role in making the United States a safer and more equitable place for everyone.
- Kirby Hall School admits students of any race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities accorded or made available to students at the school and in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship programs, athletics, and other school-administered programs. We know that students learn from each other, and a diverse student body allows the greatest opportunities for student awareness.
- Kirby Hall School is committed to seeking out and hiring educators from diverse backgrounds. We believe that an increasingly diverse group of educators will provide students with critical perspectives required to understand and combat racial injustices.
In the past, these goals have been pursued at Kirby Hall School from the Lower School through the Upper School. Lower School students have been introduced to issues of racial justice through a variety of units and subjects; including, celebrating figures of the Civil Rights Movement, reading literature about Jackie Robinson, and learning about the beginnings of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement, to name a few. In the Upper School, we build on this knowledge with in-depth readings in African-American Literature, from slave-narratives, to classic figures like James Baldwin, to contemporary writers like Toni Morrison. In history class, students have completed units of study on redlining and racial geography; and read works like From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, to understand the legacy and persistence of racism in America.
This year, as we renew these commitments, we will provide our current and prospective families with updates on our progress.
Kirby Hall School is a private college-preparatory school located in Central Austin offering a challenging, and inclusive, curriculum in a loving, nurturing environment for students in Pre-K4 through 12th grade. To learn more about Kirby Hall in Austin, Texas, please visit us here.
