Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion & Belonging

at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & belonging (deib)

At SCH, we curate brave spaces. We stimulate meaningful discussions, and encourage students to show up and engage. Our Diversity Leadership Team—consisting of faculty members from each division overseen by our director, Maxime Sinal—works hard to ensure that every member of the SCH community feels seen and valued.

deib STATEMENT

Diversity is a condition of excellence. Embracing a diverse, inclusive community is fundamental to providing the most rigorous, globally competitive education. At SCH, we aim to engage, understand, and celebrate the broad range of human experiences and perspectives. Through our curriculum, professional development, community-centered events, and daily interactions, we are committed to cultivating empathy and inclusion, and to nurturing the authentic expression of every individual.

We are an inclusive community on a mission to inspire unbounded curiosity and independent thought in every one of our students.

SCH MISSION STATEMENT

Meet Maxime Sinal, Director of DEIB at SCH Academy

Maxime Sinal joined the SCH team as the new director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in the 2024-2025 school year. With a strong background in education and diversity, Sinal brings a wealth of experience to the role. Before joining SCH, he served as the diversity coordinator and English department chair at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School and, since 2016, has served as a DEIB facilitator for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). At NAIS, he collaborated with experts across the country to develop innovative DEIB programs and initiatives.

One thing that’s always struck me is how robust SCH’s commitment is to elevating and affirming a diversity of perspectives and identities.

SCH PARENT of Lower School Students

ENGAGEMENT ON CAMPUS
2025-2026

Early Childhood Center

In the Early Childhood Center (18 months to 4+ years), our DEIB work focuses on building a strong foundation of belonging, representation, and cultural awareness from the very start of a child’s learning journey. Teachers and staff engage in professional development sessions that explore inclusive practices and strategies for fostering representation in early learning environments.

To support these efforts, the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Mr. Sinal, developed an ECC Resource Guide for culturally responsive classroom practices, providing all educators with both digital and printed copies. Classrooms have been enriched with over fifty new children’s books that reflect the diverse heritages and identities of SCH students and families. Additional resources, such as Arabic-language materials, ensure that each child’s language, culture, and experience are represented and celebrated, creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment.

Lower School

In the Lower School, our DEIB work focuses on building a strong foundation of belonging, curiosity, and cultural awareness. Throughout the year, students are invited to explore the rich diversity within our community through joyful, developmentally appropriate experiences.

Our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Mr. Sinal, regularly engages students in assemblies and classroom moments that highlight identity, family stories, and global perspectives. Through interactive read-alouds, cultural celebrations, and sensory-based learning opportunities, young learners discover new traditions, hear community voices, and reflect on what makes each of us unique.

As part of our DEIB work, the Lower School incorporates a racial literacy curriculum called Pollyanna, which is taught in several lessons throughout the school year. We hope to plant seeds that will encourage and enhance racial literacy, geographical awareness, and cultural competence both in the classroom and throughout our students’ lives. Whether exploring heritage through food, storytelling, or classroom discussions, students develop empathy, broaden their understanding of the world, and strengthen the inclusive culture that defines our Lower School.

Middle School

In the Middle School, our DEIB work centers on helping students navigate adolescence with empathy, awareness, and a growing sense of global citizenship. Through assemblies, classroom collaborations, and informal community-building, students engage with topics that deepen their understanding of themselves and one another.

Our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Mr. Sinal, partners with faculty to weave cultural exploration and identity learning into academic courses—from literature studies that prompt conversations about immigration and heritage, to language classes that highlight authentic cultural narratives. Schoolwide assemblies create space for students to reflect on belonging, respectful communication, and the impact of their words and actions.

Beyond structured programming, Middle Schoolers also benefit from open-door opportunities to connect. A welcoming space in the DEIB office invites students to drop in during breaks or after school to talk, seek support, and build community in a warm, approachable environment.

Middle School students also learn through conversations called AEIOU (Awareness, Empathy, Inclusivity, Difference, & Understanding). AEIOU is our advisory curriculum that focuses on diversity and inclusion. Through AEIOU, we create safe spaces for students to explore their own identities and the identities of others.

Upper School

In the Upper School, DEIB efforts focus on cultivating thoughtful leadership, expanding cultural competency, and fostering a community where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to take action. Through student groups, faculty partnerships, and ongoing conversations about equity, the work helps shape a school culture rooted in respect and authenticity.

Our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging collaborates closely with student leaders—serving as a co-advisor to affinity and advocacy groups such as the Black Student Union and the Student Facilitators Program. These groups play a vital role in guiding peer dialogue, elevating student voice, and creating spaces for meaningful connection across differences.

In alignment with our mission to engage, understand, and celebrate the broad range of human experiences and perspectives, SCH upper school students participate in conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in advisory curriculum, in their academic classes, and through the clubs and activities they choose to join, such as Black Student Union, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Voices, Jewish Culture Club, Chinese Students Group, Alliance (anti-racist ally group), Student Facilitators (diversity leadership training), and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. (Along with the below-mentioned "SCHout Conference" and "Moments of Understanding", which are geared towards Upper School student participation.)

We strive to imbue in every graduate of SCH Academy a set of competencies that make up “cultural humility,” which we believe is necessary to successfully navigate our global society. These competencies include:

A practice of introspection and an understanding of one’s own intersectional identities.
A commitment to building community through deep listening and the practice of empathy.
The courage and resilience required to engage in conversations about DEIB issues.
An understanding of systems of power, privilege, and oppression.
A sense of responsibility for dismantling these systems.

schout Diversity conference

The SCHout Conference is SCH Academy’s annual student-led gathering for high school students and mature eighth graders, designed to inspire dialogue, empower young leaders, and deepen understanding of identity and social justice. Organized by our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, the conference invites participants to explore a unifying theme each year through interactive workshops, collaborative activities, and meaningful conversations.

At the heart of SCHout is student leadership: more than forty trained Upper School facilitators plan and lead the sessions, guiding peers from schools across the region in thoughtful engagement and social action. The conference continues to grow in size and impact, welcoming hundreds of students and educators annually who come together to learn, reflect, and build stronger, more inclusive communities. SCHout was created at SCH Academy in 2015 (read the article from our SCHool Magazine here).

SCHout Conference

moments of understanding

Since 2019, our Upper School has engaged in Moments of Understanding—student-facilitated experiences designed to strengthen empathy, build cultural competency, and foster meaningful dialogue across our community. These moments bring students together to reflect on identity, allyship, language, privilege, and the many ways we can support one another.

Each year, these gatherings feature opportunities for deep listening and shared learning, often supported by guest speakers whose perspectives help broaden students’ worldviews. Past programs have included discussions on the power of language, conversations about racial and social equity, and immersive storytelling experiences that encourage Upper School students to see connections across differences.

Moments of Understanding remain an essential part of Upper School life, offering students a structured, supportive space to exchange stories, challenge assumptions, and strengthen the inclusive culture of SCH.

Staff & Faculty Professional Development

As part of ongoing professional engagement and contribution to the broader independent school community, our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging actively participates in national conferences and initiatives focused on equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging. These opportunities provide a platform to share best practices, learn from peer institutions, and advance the field of belonging-centered education.

This work includes planning and facilitating sessions for preschool–12 educators, administrators, and students on topics such as thriving as a new independent school educator, recognizing the emotional and institutional labor of non-teaching staff, and exploring how DEIB and admissions partnerships can transform belonging from intention to impact. Each session aligns with SCH’s mission and strategic priorities, highlighting sustainability, equity, and recognition for all members of the school community.

Through these initiatives, SCH Academy strengthens its role as a thought leader in inclusive education and demonstrates its commitment to advancing belonging, understanding, and equity not only within our walls but across the independent school community nationwide.

Cross-Divisional and Community Engagement

Our DEIB work extends beyond individual divisions, strengthening connections across SCH and with partners in the broader educational and civic community. Initiatives include fostering faculty and staff engagement through schoolwide activities, consulting with departments on inclusive practices and curricular alignment, and creating tangible reminders of SCH’s core values to reinforce a shared culture of belonging.

SCH partners with local and national organizations to expand learning opportunities, professional development, and student engagement. Examples include collaborations with Temple University’s Teacher Residency Program, St. Joseph’s University, and national networks such as the Administrators of Color in Independent Schools. These partnerships support faculty recruitment, diversify representation, and bring enriched programming—particularly in the arts, community service, and social justice initiatives.

Through these efforts, cross-divisional and community engagement strengthens relationships, amplifies student and faculty voices, and advances SCH’s mission of fostering belonging, equity, and excellence both within the school and across the wider educational community.

Deib in Action at SCH ACademy

Engaged Community Committed to Belonging

We are committed to:

Creating a climate that is appreciative of diversity and fosters student and professional success.
Encouraging a supportive environment that creates a deep sense of belonging and affirms the identity of all members of the community.
Widely promoting our five values throughout the school.
Recruiting and retaining faculty and staff who are highly qualified and passionate about their jobs. They closely mirror the diversity of the student body, are dedicated to fulfilling the school’s culture, values, and mission, and love working with students and each other.
Strengthening infrastructure to reflect SCH’s commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable teaching, learning, and working environment.

Strategic Framework

MEET THE DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP TEAM

Maxime sinal

Director of diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging

msinal@sch.org

Geraldine allen

lower school
diversity coordinator

lower school boys faculty

gallen@sch.org

ZANA BASS

middle school
diversity coordinator

world languages faculty

zbass@sch.org

polly kimberly

upper school
diversity coordinator

associate director of college counseling

pkimberly@sch.org