Inclusion & Belonging

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement 2023-2024

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Waterford is synchronous with our Liberal Arts approach to education. In its essence, our liberal arts philosophy allows an individual to experience many different perspectives so they are able to view the world with a multifaceted lens. 

Diversity refers to the range of different identities within the Waterford community – including, but not limited to – race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical and mental ability and more. We recognize that these identifiers inform and impact our views, beliefs, thoughts, and thus how we experience the world.  

Our goal is to ensure that all of our students, faculty and staff feel seen, supported, safe, and able to reach their full capacity as learners and community members, so that they can live lives of meaning and purpose. 

In alignment with our commitment to a world class liberal arts education and our core values, we commit to the following:

We act with integrity in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging space – listening for understanding and treating others with respect – so that the wholeness of self, others, and community can be optimized.

We embrace excellence in curriculum, our learning, our professional development, our dialogue, and actions.

We are curious about others’ perspectives and the way they see the world.

We are responsible for our actions and how they impact those in our community.

We care deeply about our students, peers, community members and our colleagues, and act upon that core value.


Citizenship Statement

With the goal of preparing students for citizenship in a complex world, Waterford commits to creating, on the foundation of the liberal arts philosophy of education, a learning community that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where all learners feel respected, challenged, inspired, and supported.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Waterford School does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. This policy applies to admissions and to all areas of student life, as well as to all areas of faculty and staff hiring, discipline, promotion, and termination. The Waterford School is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).