Equity and Inclusion

Choate recognizes, supports, and affirms the multi-faith nature of society, the student body, and the school community. Spiritual Life programming seeks to encourage ethical practice and moral development, to support students from diverse religious and spiritual traditions, to guide students in their spiritual formation and search for meaning and to foster multi-faith dialogue. The Director of Spiritual Life, visiting chaplains, and faculty advisers in Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, and Roman Catholic traditions guide students in a variety of religious expressions.

Pathways is a program designed to support the academic and social transition for new students of color. Pathways provides an opportunity to arrive on campus before other new students so that you have time to feel more acclimated before the new student orientation kicks in. This two-day pre-orientation is optional for students and parents, and includes special programming intended to smooth families' transition to Choate.

Service-learning opportunities seek to link Choate students with the community of Wallingford and the surrounding towns by blending education and compassion with civic responsibility and citizenship. Through experiential learning and reflection, the Community Service program helps individuals at our school build character, develop moral foundations, and nurture a lifelong commitment to service. As an able community, we strive to acknowledge and implement our global responsibilities towards understanding and helping others.

These informal discussions are intended to provide an open space for members of Choate to get to know one another and discuss perspectives, especially those of personal purpose or issues of concern.

In a time of uncertainty and rapid change, the Office of Equity and Inclusion will offer community forums throughout the year to share accurate information about a current event and time for community members to discuss and ask questions. Sometimes we will invite a community expert to present and share information about the event.

Equity and Inclusion focused clubs, organizations, and affinity groups provide welcoming experiences, engaging discussion, and increase awareness to expand cultural intelligence and promote belonging across differences, in the Choate community and beyond. Roughly fifteen student clubs are equity and inclusion focused. The Spiritual Life team oversees five student-led spiritual life organizations (Hillel; Muslim Student Association; Christian Fellowship; Roman Catholic Fellowship; and Buddhist Meditation), and the Office of Equity and Inclusion oversees four affinity groups on campus (RISE; CALM; This is Us; and AAS).

Student Activities

The Faculty and Staff SEED (Seeking Educational Equity through Diversity) Seminar at Choate is a group that meets monthly and is offered to those in our faculty and staff who want to go deeper in their learning about diversity and multicultural practice. This group is facilitated by faculty who have trained with the National SEED Project.

In addition to our on campus/in house programming, we offer and encourage students, faculty and staff to attend other diversity/equity/inclusion workshops in Connecticut and nationwide.

Our faculty guide students on how to think, not what to think, in a respectful and inquisitive environment. While equity and inclusion extends throughout the foundation of all our classrooms, specific courses and curriculum are offered throughout the academic year.

Course Descriptions

This Task Force was established in 2020, serving as a commitment to developing authentic, effective, and sustainable initiatives to ensure we create the most just, inclusive, and equitable Choate Rosemary Hall community possible. Dr. Rachel Myers, Dean of Equity & Inclusion, led an eleven-member staff and faculty group in the development of a plan of action that spans all elements of school life. 

The DEC, formerly the Diversity Education Committee, now stands for Driving Equity at Choate. This committee falls under the umbrella of the Office of Equity & Inclusion and as such supports the strategic vision, activities, and efforts of Equity and Inclusion at Choate, collaborating on the development and oversight of forums for faculty/staff and campus-wide dialogues on issues directly relating to equity and inclusion. The DEC seeks to empower all members of our community to have a voice in these conversations.

Choate strives to be an inclusive community in which members feel valued and embraced across identities. On our campus, individuals from diverse backgrounds unite through common purpose, active engagement, and mutual respect. Building an inclusive community presents welcomed challenges. Through ongoing self-reflection, education, and dialogue, we affirm our own identities while seeking to better understand the experiences of others.

Originally created through the generosity of the Icahn Charitable Foundation, The Choate Icahn Scholars Program aims to make a difference in the lives of up to ten students per year who are bright and motivated and whose families qualify for full (or nearly full) tuition assistance. In addition to financial assistance for tuition, school expenses are covered including school supplies books, transportation to and from home for vacations, and other stipends. The summer before matriculation, Choate Icahn Scholars also attend the School’s Summer Programs free of charge.

The Gakio-Walton International Scholars was established in 2006 through the generosity of The Walton Family Foundation and alumnus Benjamin S. Walton ’92 in an effort to attract students primarily from Kenya or continental Africa. In addition to receiving full financial aid, Gakio-Walton International Scholars also receive full assistance to attend Choate’s Summer Programs prior to matriculation.