Diversity

H e prayed - it wasn’t my religion.

He ate – it wasn’t what I ate.

He spoke – it wasn’t my language.

He dressed – it wasn’t what I wore.

He took my hand – it wasn’t the color of mine.

But when he laughed – it was how I laughed,

and when he cried – it was how I cried.

“Underneath We’re All the Same”

by Amy Maddox, Class of 2016

Porter-Gaud School Diversity Statement

As a guiding principle, diversity calls for accepting and affirming each individual regardless of gender, religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, or socioeconomic status.  An institution dedicated to diversity respects and values the customs, traditions, experiences, perspectives, contributions, and dreams of people of varied affiliations and identities.

Porter-Gaud School believes that diversity is essential to its educational mission.  This belief reflects our national traditions of equality, fairness, and inclusiveness, as well as the challenges of an ever-changing, increasingly global society.  By embracing diversity, we teach our students to respect themselves and others, to open their hearts to the needs and feelings of people of dissimilar backgrounds, to broaden their minds though exposure to alternate, enriching viewpoints, and to become informed, responsible citizens.

The Board, administration, faculty, staff, and students of Porter-Gaud welcome and seek people, interactions, and opportunities that foster inclusiveness and diversity.  The school confirms this commitment through its admission policies, hiring practices, professional development, programs, publications, and daily activities.  We see this as a dynamic, ongoing enterprise directed not only toward specific goals but also toward sustaining a spirit of warmth, openness, and receptivity.  United we stand, divided we fall, and Porter-Gaud stands committed to the highest principles of mutual respect, encouragement, and understanding.