"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character ..."

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

New Hope Academy affirms the centrality of equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of academic and student life. Honoring a multiplicity of voices, we celebrate shared joys and address tensions productively. Together, we are guided by testimonies and seek to answer the question, "How do we nurture a sense of belonging in our community and demonstrate our commitment to a just world?"

NHA's perspective on social justice derives from our Character Education Program, the heart and core of New Hope. We emphasize training staff in awareness and sensitivity to concerns of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice; and actively work to include these topics in the curriculum. Our diverse population includes staff and students who have learning differences, individuals who are not native English speakers, and members of various faiths and cultures. Staff and students are encouraged to act with integrity, to treat every human being with respect, and to honor and celebrate our diversity as one family of humankind. The core of this process requires all participants to learn how to listen deeply, without needing to impose their viewpoints on others.

Curriculum

Black history, Women's history and other heritages are incorporated within our curriculum throughout the year. For example, High School Science students study "Henrietta Lacks" and 7th graders study "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Senator John Lewis. NHA is a member of the Amazon Future Engineers program committed to bridging diversity gaps in STEM and Computer Science fields. When discussing American history, issues like voting rights, inequities, and the immigrant experience are often included. NHA intentionally selects texts and literature that promote a broad and balanced historical perspective and explores cultural diversity. Biographies of individuals who have faced adversity and overcome challenges and injustice inspire our students to become change-makers and reinforce our character education program. Upper School students engage in monthly discussions on contemporary issues of their choosing; which have included microaggressions, colorism, mental health, gender equity, and other social justice concerns. NHA honors Black History Month which culminates with an all-school assembly highlighted by student presentations, entertainment, and a distinguished keynote speaker. Past notables include Rev. Walter Fauntroy, Senator James Clyburn, Mr.Michael Steele, Ms.Dorothy Height and Mr.Wayne Pratt.