Equity & Inclusion

In keeping with the principles set forth in our mission and strategic vision, and to meet the needs of all our students, the Germantown Academy Board of Trustees approved an Equity and Inclusion Plan in 2018 and updated it in 2021. Equity & Inclusion is now included as a strategic priority in the GA2030 Strategic Plan.

Administrators, faculty, and staff have eagerly participated in the following educational programs:

Race Institute
Anti-Bias Education - Dr. Vanessa Santiago-Schwarz
Pollyanna Circle
PAIS and ADVIS Trainings

Throughout the year, GA offers faculty, staff, and student affinity group opportunities to support and affirm the positive identity development of underrepresented community members. Affinity groups are spaces for people with common identifiers to participate in discussions and activities that build connection, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

"The term affinity group is used as a bringing together of people who have an identifier in common, e.g. race, gender, religion, family status, etc. Affinity groups are for individuals who identify as members of the group and can speak to the experience of being a member of the group from the "I" perspective."
- Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee

Student Affinity Groups

• African American/Black

• Asian American

• Jewish
• Hispanic/Latino   
• SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African)
• LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and more)

Faculty Affinity Groups

• BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)
• LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and more)

Alumni Affinity Groups

Our alumni affinity groups offer opportunities for graduates to come together based on shared interests and identities to make meaningful connections with each other and the school. Below are our current groups, with new ones forming regularly.

• Black Alumni Alliance
• Women’s Networking Group

Family Alliance Groups

• Black Family Alliance
• Rainbow Alliance

Germantown Academy is committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students, one that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

• Transgender and gender nonconforming people have the right to discuss and express their gender identity and its expression openly and to decide when, with whom, and how much to share private information.
• Every person has the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to the person’s gender identity. A court-ordered name or gender change is not required, and the person need not change their official records.
• GA maintains separate bathrooms for males and females. Transgender or gender nonconforming people may use the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity asserted at school. All bathrooms have stalls for privacy.
• GA maintains separate locker and shower rooms for males and females. For physical education and athletics, transgender and gender nonconforming students may use the locker room and shower that corresponds to their gender identity asserted at school. All locker rooms have changing stalls and showers with curtains for privacy. People who desire increased privacy may use any of the single stall, gender neutral restrooms for changing, as well as our gender-neutral dressing rooms.
• All students will be permitted to participate in physical education classes and athletics in a manner consistent with their gender identity. Furthermore, all students may participate in interscholastic athletics in a manner consistent with their gender identity.

SCHout

Civic Leadership Summit