Avon Old Farms Embraces Diversity and Multiculturalism
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Boys at Avon learn to be comfortable in their own shoes by interacting with the diverse community around them.
With a student body of 404 boys from 26 states and 24 countries, our students learn to become citizens of the world, with friends from all corners of the Earth. A boy's roommate might be from another country, and his lab partner might have a different religion; however, rather than being afraid of differences, the Village of Avon Old Farms provides a safe environment for our boys to explore their differences openly at a diverse boarding school in the Northeast.
"The ways in which people differ are more important than the ways in which they are alike."
THEODATE POPE RIDDLE
FOUNDER
Justice and Inclusion
Our school mission states that we "cultivate young men of integrity, who honor wisdom, justice, inclusion, service, and the pursuit of truth." We adhere to this mission by observing:
- Hispanic Heritage Month | Black History Month
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- Ally Week | National Day of Silence
- MLK Day
Diversity and Multicultural Initiatives
Cultural Conversations |
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As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they have not communicated with each other." To ensure that meaningful communication exists on our campus, we host 'Cultural Conversations' on a weekly, if not more frequent, basis. The space offers an opportunity for any boy to bring his feelings, concerns, and ideas to the table in front of a group of peers. Topics range from current affairs to historical events. |
SPHERE Schools |
Avon is a member of SPHERE, a consortium of independent schools from the greater Hartford area that came together in the early 70s because of a common commitment to diversity. Today, the independent schools that make up SPHERE constantly strive to provide students with a well-balanced and multicultural curriculum, a diverse social community, a variety of extracurricular and intra-school experiences, and a view of the world that will allow them to grow into responsible members of a global community. |
Student Clubs |
Students organize and run clubs under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Some student clubs that incorporate the school's mission for inclusion are:
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Conferences |
In addition to SPHERE training, faculty members have the opportunity to participate in eye-opening conferences focused on awareness and growth, such as:
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Outside Speaker Series |
Throughout the school year, students attend programs with speakers or interactive presentations focused on stepping outside of their own shoes to gain perspective from a different viewpoint. Students gain understanding about pressing social issues in nationally acclaimed dramas, such as Defamation, presented in our own theaters. |
Where Next?
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