Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Maria Montessori saw the child as a veritable world power able to reconstruct society. The impact that parenting and education could have on society was profound for her. She embraced education as an instrument for world peace. She envisioned an approach to education for the development of each individual’s human potential and as a service to humanity. Winston-Salem Montessori School’s greatest impact is providing a diverse, just, inclusive environment of belonging and modeling the values we wish to instill in future generations.
Education on Social Inequities
In Lower Elementary, the students learn about the Fundamental Needs for a quality life. They learn about the beautiful variety of cultures in the world. To incorporate education on social inequities, their Guides tell them how people are prevented access to their fundamental needs. This approach centers on the dignity and beauty of the human experience while acknowledging systemic issues.
Read more on how each program educates on the beauty of diverse cultures and acknowledges systemic disparities here:
Spanish Integration
In 2023, we enthusiastically welcomed Mariana Gonzalez-Prieto to our community as the Spanish Guide. Mariana provides Spanish language lessons as well as global history and awareness through geography, cooking, singing, performing, and more exceptional lessons.
LGBTQIA+ Community
As our students grow into themselves, we embrace when they communicate their desires on self-identity and expression. We are mindful of using gender-neutral language and bathrooms and break free of gender roles. We have proactive Guides who supply their classrooms with books where the characters just so happen to be in the LGBTQIA+ community in order to highlight the beauty of our LGBTQIA+ community before introducing systemic oppression. The allies within our community are thankful to learn from members whose advocacy voices are welcomed.
Self Reflection
We continue to self-reflect and are working towards increasing our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging efforts. The school leaders began by outlining Winston-Salem Montessori School’s history towards this work. The team learned from past efforts and formed a strategy on how to plan to move forward in this essential work. More to come!
2023 - 2024 School Year Student Race Demographics:
240 students
65% White, non-Hispanic
12% Hispanic/Latino
9% Asian
7% Black/African American
5% Not stated/unknown
2% American Indian/Alaska Native
1% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander