Diversity at the Heart of Post Oak

When Dr. Maria Montessori established the Casa dei Bambini more than 100 years ago, she created not only a classroom where children would receive an academic education, but also a social and emotional environment where children would receive and give respect to one another. At The Post Oak School, we strive to create a respectful relationship among parents, teachers, administrators, and students. That respect we have for one another requires us to appreciate the diversity that exists within our school community.

There are major religious, cultural, ethnic, racial, economic, and political differences in the world. The variety of differences represents a wide range of responses to universal human needs. We want our students to understand diversity as a confirmation of global human commonality. To gain a greater appreciation and understanding of human diversity, a Post Oak School education not only presents our children with facts, but also guides them to examine issues from many, and sometimes very divergent viewpoints, thereby allowing students to develop their own internal standards by which to live.

In preparing our students for the future, we are showing them how to learn, think, and communicate effectively and work cooperatively with others. Demonstrating to our students how to understand and acknowledge the differences among people in the world and how to live in harmony with one another is a major part of their preparation for life after they leave The Post Oak School.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice 

Our school outlined our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in a statement developed by our DEIJ committee and adopted by our Board of Trustees in fall 2021. The definition and statement reflect Post Oak’s mission to be a diverse and welcoming Montessori community and meet the standards set forth by ISAS, who accredits our school. 

The Post Oak School is committed to participating in and honoring a diverse community that works to cultivate a truly inclusive environment and curriculum through open-mindedness, empathy, understanding, and respect. We are committed to doing anti-racist work in an environment that embraces historically and systemically marginalized groups. 

We acknowledge that we must anchor this commitment in the understanding of historical and present injustices that attempt to dispossess people of their humanity, life, land, history, and culture on this land, in the United States, and in the world. 
With this acknowledgment, everyone in the Post Oak community* will act as ethical global citizens who passionately strive toward social justice. We will collaborate with and contribute to diverse local and global communities in order to create a more just and equitable world.

How We Define Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice 

Diversity is the continuous and intentional process that assures the representation of an array of identities, beliefs, thoughts, experiences, and practices in our community. 

Equity is the process of ensuring that every person has access to resources based on their needs, allowing them to pursue opportunities and work toward their highest potential. 

Inclusion is the intentional practice of assuring that diverse groups and systemically marginalized peoples possess agency, representation, and belonging within our community. 

Justice is the recognition and understanding of historic and present inequalities, the affirmation of the dignity of all people and the environment, and the correction of imbalances.