Diversity

A restorative justice model is key to Siena's approach to discipline. At the beginning of the year, the students of each division develop a Social Contract, the final iteration of which is signed by all. Additionally, reflection is a key component of the restorative justice process. Reparations follow reflection, with a rupture and repair focus on relationships. When possible, other responses directly relate to the harm that was caused; for example, if a student chews gum, they clean up gum around the school. The goal is for the student to learn from the situation and not repeat it. If the same problematic behavior continues, the Discipline Committee meets to discuss the next steps.

The Siena School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or as a result of a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, staff hiring, and other Siena School-administered programs.

• Instructional materials are reflective of intersectional identities and highlight individuals with different gender identities, as well as of different ethnic, geographical, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds;
• Students read a wide variety of world fables, as well as a selection of authors, including Dana Allison Levy, Sharon Robinson, Gita Varadarajan;
• In social studies and Language Arts, Greek mythology is taught;
• In reading, a unit on neurodiversity and neurodiverse identities is taught;
• Students of all grades are encouraged to participate in International Night, a longstanding, ever-evolving tradition of celebrating cultures;
• Student-initiated clubs such as Help Club meet weekly and organize events and drives to support individuals, communities, and schools impacted by natural disasters, pandemics, and more;
• At the end of 5th grade, students prepare a Strengths Project and participate in a Rising Up Ceremony.

*Siena's Silver Spring Satellite campus offers elementary grades 3-4, our Forest Glen campus offers grade 5, and our Northern Virginia campus offers grades 3-5.

• Students read a wide variety of authors in middle school including Kwame Alexander, Alex Gino, Lois Lowry, Jason Reynolds, Margarita Engle, Alan Gratz, and Anne Frank;
• In social studies, Ancient History, World History, and American History are taught;
• A group of middle and high school faculty attends NAIS's People of Color Conference (PoCC) annually;
• Students of all grades are encouraged to participate in International Night, a longstanding, ever-evolving tradition of celebrating cultures;
• At the end of 8th grade, students prepare a personal passion project and present it as part of their Rising Up Ceremony;
• Student-initiated clubs such as the Gay–Straight Alliance (GSA) meet weekly and organize campus events throughout the year. We are steadily developing an increasing number of student-led affinity groups.

• Students read a wide variety of authors in high school including Langston Hughes, Harper Lee, Moying Li-Marcus, William Shakespeare, Sophocles, Colson Whitehead, and August Wilson;
• In social studies, World Cultures is taught;
• Our Spanish teacher organizes field trips and activities pertaining to Spanish-speaking countries' holidays and cultures;
• Students of all grades are encouraged to participate in International Night, a longstanding, ever-evolving tradition of celebrating cultures;
• High school students serve on the DEIB Committee, providing valuable input regarding the direction and implementation of our DEIB work;
• A group of high school representatives attends NAIS's Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC);
• A group of middle and high school faculty attends NAIS's People of Color Conference (PoCC) annually;
• At the end of 12th grade, all students prepare and present a speech as part of their graduation ceremony;
• Student-initiated clubs such as the Culture Committee and Gay–Straight Alliance (GSA) meet weekly and organize campus events throughout the year.