The Bush School
Our Community

Community, Equity, and Inclusion

Community, Equity, and Inclusion

At The Bush School, community, equity, inclusion, and belonging are lived values we strive to demonstrate every day. We cultivate a community in which every individual feels known, valued, and respected, and where learning is enriched by diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Engaging in sustained dialogue with people who think differently sharpens students’ thinking, deepens empathy, and fosters mutual understanding. In doing so, students learn not only how to think critically and listen generously, but also how to contribute with care, courage, and purpose to a diverse and interconnected world.

Vision Statement for CEI Work:

We envision a multicultural, anti-racist learning organization where students, and every member of the community, feel connected, supported, and honored. We educate in ways that prepare students to make lasting social impact and actively mitigate inequities within our school and beyond.
 
Our CEI efforts align with the school’s broader mission to spark passion for learning, nurture thoughtful leadership and prepare students to shape a better future.

Susan Woods, Director of Community, Equity, and Inclusion

The intentionality with which the community lives its mission shines through in the way students, faculty, and administrators engage with one another. 

Commitment in Action


The Bush School is committed to fulfilling our mission through inclusive curriculum, antiracist practices, ongoing professional learning for all faculty and staff. We hold ourselves accountable through values-driven practices that support learning, equity, and growth for both individuals and the institution as a whole.  
We are committed to holding space for truth-telling, care and accountability – especially for those whose identities have historically been excluded or misunderstood.


What CEI Looks like at Bush

We believe that equity shows up in both the systems we build and everyday choices we make, from classroom conversations to community traditions. Our work is rooted in relationships, reflection, and the belief that everyone deserves a place where they are seen and valued. A few examples of this work include:

Student Voice & Support:

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  • Affinity Groups

    Affinity Groups give community members the opportunity to be around people with whom their lived experience is the baseline instead of something they have to explain. These are groups based on a shared layer of identity, such as ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, etc.

    Resources:
    There are a number of long-standing Affinity Groups and new groups founded based on community interest. Some of the current Affinity-based programming at Bush:

    Lower School Student Affinity Groups
    The Lower School Student Affinity Groups take place monthly during our Lower School Community time during the school day. Students who identify with an affinity attend group gathering while other students attend our Lower School DEI community activity. There are a number of affinity groups based on different identities, including the Black Students Affinity group, the Muslim Student Affinity group, the Jewish Students Affinity group, The Latine/Hispanic student Affinity Group, the White Students Affinity Group, the Asian Students Affinity Group and the Bi/Multi-Racial Student Affinity Group.

    Upper School Student Affinity Groups
    • Asian-American Culture Club
    • Black Student Union (BSU)
    • Blazers of Color (BOC)
    • Blazers Understanding Whiteness (BUW)
    • Center for Intercultural Action (CIA)
    • Christian Student Group
    • Diverse Family Structures Group
    • Latinx Club
    • MOSAIC Multicultural Affinity Group
    • Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)
    • Oy Vey
    • And More!

    Family Affinity Groups
    Family Association volunteers serve as the leads for parent/family affinity groups:

    • Afro-Diaspora Family Group
    • Asian-American/Pacific Islander Family Group
    • Bilingual Affinity Group
    • Jewish Affinity Group
    • Latinx Affinity Group
    • Learning Differences Support Group
    • LGBTQIA+ Family Affinity Group
    • Muslim Family Affinity Group
    • White Anti-Racist Parents/Guardians

  • Middle School Q Group

    The Middle School Q Group is a nonjudgmental affinity group for students who are exploring their gender or sexual identity. The mission of the Q Group is to provide support to queer and questioning students, and to create an inclusive environment where gender and sexual diversity is celebrated.

    “The Q Group is important to me because it is a a safe and friendly place where I can discuss important things in my life.”
    - Bush Sixth Grade Student

  • Muslim Prayer Room

    The Bush School has a Muslim Prayer Room on campus open to students, families, faculty, and staff. This room is available to all Bush Muslim community members who would like a space to pray during the day. The Bush School joins a growing community of schools including universities and higher education institutions around the world who have established a Muslim prayer room to create a space for Muslim community members who may need a quiet space to pray.

Inclusive Practices & Curriculum:

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  • Pronouns at Bush

    In English, the general language of instruction at Bush, pronouns are commonly used to refer to ourselves or others. Names and pronouns are pieces of personal identity, and using correct pronouns-much like pronouncing someone's name correctly-is an affirmation of identity.

  • Student-Centered Curriculum

    CASCADES
    The Bush Upper School Cascades Program is a three week interdisciplinary course of study held each January, led by interdepartmental teaching teams. The thematic, immersive experiences have a strong focus on social justice including the following courses.

    Design Thinking
    Designing and Building Small Interactive Gardens at The Bush School

    Global Citizenship
    Taiwan: Language and Culture
    Cambodia: A New Generation
    Kaitiakitanga in Aotearoa New Zealand: Māori Cultural Immersion and Outdoor Adventure 

    Social Justice
    Practicing Social Justice though Interactive Stories

    Sustainability
    Death Valley: Photography, Geology and Geography
    Rock Climbing and Land Management in Joshua Tree National Park
    Methow Valley Filmmaking: Exploring Sustainability & Community Engagement Through Documentary Film 

    UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM
    The Upper School curriculum is designed to engage students’ critical, creative, and independent thinking. Teachers introduce multiple perspectives throughout the curriculum and class discussions, and develop a course of study that engages deep intellectual engagement. Diversity, themes related to equity, inclusion, and justice are woven throughout all courses in the arts, mathematics, science, English, history, and health and wellness. The following is a sample of current courses in English, history, and mathematics which capture the broad range of topics introduced through the Upper School curriculum. 

    English
    Asian American Voices; Black Voices; Feminist Theory; Immigrant Voices; Queer Shakespeare

    History
    Constructing the American Woman; Contemporary Migration Crisis; Cultures in Conflict; Indigenous North American Studies; Latin American Studies; Mexico City Journeys; Queer Communities: Global Histories; The World of Food: The History, Culture, and Justice of Feeding People Around the World

    Math
    Statistics and Social Justice

Institutional Commitment:

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  • Bias-Related Incident Support

    Bush Community members can request Bias-Related Incident Support for help with incidents of harmful impact. We believe it is important for the school to be aware of potentially harmful interpersonal interactions, particularly when it comes to identity markers such as race, socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, ability, language, religion, nationality, etc. The form includes a description of bias-related incidents, and when submitted at the link above, it activates our support system. 
     
    The responses will be sent to Bush Divisional Director, Head of School Sarah Smith, and Coordinator of Community, Equity, and Inclusion, Delia Tran, who will follow up. The goal is a restorative response that repairs harm. 
     
    A link to the bias incident form can be found on the Bush Community Portal on the Resource Board on the Office of Community, Equity, and Inclusion, and in the handbook for each division.

  • Gender Expansive Policy

    The Bush School’s guidelines to support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students is intended to address student needs and to ensure a safe, affirming, and healthy school environment where every child can learn. The guidelines are meant to support transgender and gender expansive students in the school environment. The current policy cannot and does not anticipate every situation that may occur; every student is different and may have divergent needs. Support and accommodations for each student will be individualized based on the specific requests and needs.

  • The Percy L Abram Fund for Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Peace

    The Percy L. Abram Fund for Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Peace provides funds to support educational programming at Bush that elevates these values and inspires students to build a just, inclusive, equitable, and compassionate community and nation. The fund was created by Board Chair Karen Marcotte Solimano and her family. The end of her tenure at Bush also coincided with a global health pandemic and social justice uprising, both of which have spotlighted the deep-seeded racial inequities in the United States. Karen and her family made a decision inspired by the leadership, intellect, integrity, and authenticity of Head of School Percy Abram to ensure that his vision for equity and inclusion continued on for generations to come. To help advance this shared vision, the Solimanos have seeded an endowment in Percy’s honor to fund anti bias education and training for the next generation of problem solvers, thinkers, leaders, and their families. 
This is not an exhaustive list, just a reflection of our continued effort to live our values: inviting perspectives, cultivating community, and blazing trails together.

Join the Conversation

Our work in community, equity and inclusion is always evolving and it belongs to all of us. Whether you’re new to Bush or have been part of this community for years, your voice, your questions, and your partnership matter. Let’s keep learning, reflecting and growing together!

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  • Photo of Susan Woods

    Susan Woods 

    Director of Community, Equity, and Inclusion
The Bush School
The Bush School is an independent day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 745 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities

3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status
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