The creation and support of affinity groups is part of Shipley’s ongoing commitment to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for its increasingly diverse community. Why affinity groups? They create opportunities for people who share a common identity to build authentic relationships, bolster one's sense of belonging, and build strength and pride. At Shipley, affinity groups can also support students in feeling more connected with the larger school community and their school experience.

In the 2022-2023 school year, Shipley’s affinity spaces grew to include Lower School students with the creation of two groups for third through fifth graders: Students of Color and Students of Jewish Heritage. In 2023-2024, the program expanded to include a Connection and Belonging affinity group for students in Pre-K through Grade 2.

The heart of the Lower School affinity groups lies in their mission to provide spaces of joy, where students engage in developmentally appropriate activities ranging from reading stories and doing identity work (ex: identifying and drawing their unique characteristics) to celebrating cultural events like Diwali and Hanukkah. These groups promote understanding, connection, and a sense of belonging, particularly for students with marginalized or minority identities. 

Each affinity group boasts three dedicated facilitators, with a crucial emphasis on representation. Students benefit from having teachers who serve as “mirrors,” reflecting and sharing their common identity. This intentional representation aims to create a supportive environment, where students can explore and celebrate their identities.

For Lower School DEI Coordinator and Affinity Group Facilitator Monserrat Toledo Díaz, affinity groups are not just safe spaces, but brave spaces, where students “can feel like themselves; where they can say, ‘This is how I'm feeling or this is what I'm experiencing,’ and know that they are supported by their group, that they are connected with their peers, that there are trusted adults who will advocate for them.”

She believes it’s important to start this work in the Lower School. “As students grow into Middle and Upper School students, they will have a better understanding of how these spaces can help them. They will feel empowered and passionate about celebrating their culture and their identity, and develop the skills they need to advocate for themselves.”

By fostering a culture of respect and appreciation for all identities, we can help our students grow into confident, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world.