HARDING ACADEMY
A PreK through 8 School in Nashville, Tennessee
Strategic Plan:
Pillar #3
Diversity, equity, and inclusivity:
Stewarding our celebratory community
Preparing our students for a vibrant, global world
Since our founding in 1971, Harding Academy has nurtured the individual strengths and embraced the unique perspectives of each child in our care. Five decades later, we are called to think not only about our responsibility to kindle warmth and welcome within our school community, but also to carefully consider the ways in which we create that community and steward the relationships that extend beyond it.
Recent conversations with Harding parents, students, and educators reflect a strong shared commitment to supporting a school community that reflects our rich and vibrant city. A diverse, equitable, and inclusive Harding benefits every student, empowering our children to cherish differences, build on common ground, and respect and learn from varying perspectives. Our strategic plan brings the Harding community together—in discussion, consensus-building, preparation, and action—to build toward these important goals.
A
Communicating the role of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the context of fulfilling our mission.
Create a position to sustain and strengthen current diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives and to develop innovative school-wide programs through this prism related to leadership development and community engagement.
​
Develop avenues for conversation and discussion for all stakeholders
​
Sustain and expand professional development opportunity for DEI work as a fundamental aspect of teaching at Harding Academy.
COMPLETED
​
​
IN PROCESS​
IN PROCESS​
B
Attracting new families by expanding our voice in the conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion in Nashville.
Endow Harding Experience Fund.
​
Evaluate expanding financial accessibility through a graduated tuition model.
​
Review Admissions process and protocols through equity lens.
IN PROCESS​
​
PLANNING​
​
IN PROCESS
C
Crafting intentional school culture powered by authentic relationships, positive reinforcement, and inclusion while embedding diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the fabric of what we teach and learn by engaging in curricular and cultural audits conducted through the lens of cultural responsiveness and social and emotional wellness.
Conduct cultural audit using a tool such as the Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism from National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
​
Recognize and celebrate the diverse experiences of Harding Academy families through new community building events and traditions.
​
Approach ongoing intense curriculum audit with DEI lens.
- - -
​
​
IN ACTION​
​
IN ACTION
D
Fostering diverse community partnerships by seeking to form relationships with a broad range of colleges, universities, civic organizations, foundations, and neighborhoods to gain understanding around diverse parent and student experiences to better serve those populations.
Foster faculty/staff recruitment partnerships.
​
Implement continuing education incentive for faculty to pay down student loan debt.
​
Seek diverse partners to offer Harding teachers who desire to pursue advanced degrees while working at Harding Academy.
​
Encourage professional development conferences centered around diversity, equity, and inclusivity.
​
Partner with diverse organizations and foundations that represent the needs of diverse communities in Nashville.
IN ACTION
​
IN ACTION
​
​
PLANNING​
​
IN ACTION
​
​
IN ACTION
​
​
