About

DEIB

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Statement
Updated November 2023

At The Seven Hills School, we are a community of faculty, staff, students, families, and caregivers committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). We prepare our students to be lifelong advocates for meaningful social change with the goal of creating a just and equitable society.

We understand the importance of being a community of belonging. We know that multiple perspectives from varying backgrounds contribute to building a stronger community, which benefits our children in becoming better global citizens. Our Strategic Plan ensures a commitment to DEIB as the work of empathy, advocacy, and community is ongoing.

As The Seven Hills School community, we commit to:

List of 4 items.

  • Cultural Responsiveness

    Enriching the student experience through cultural responsiveness, which promotes understanding and respect for each person, and their individual experiences.

  • Inclusive Environment

    Promoting an inclusive environment for all in appreciation of our diversity of race, ethnicity, gender expression and identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, socioeconomic status, and family structure.

  • Culture of Belonging

    Supporting a culture of belonging where students, faculty, and staff feel supported, included, respected, and nurtured.

  • Accessibility and Affordability

    Expanding accessibility and affordability through outreach, community service, and by alleviating financial barriers for families.

List of 1 items.

  • Definitions

    • Cultural Responsiveness: the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across varying backgrounds.
    • Inclusive Environment: a place where people can express their identity, participate, and feel a sense of value, respect, and belonging.
    • Culture of Belonging: an individual’s essential human need to feel safe, supported, valued, included, and accepted within a group, community, or organization.
    • Accessibility and Affordability: we support families across the socioeconomic and geographic spectrum with our modified tuition model.
Our community reflects the rich diversity of the Bay Area. Our students come from more than 35 zip codes, and 51% identify as students of color. Through our robust Modified Tuition program, we also support socioeconomic diversity—making a Seven Hills education accessible to families from a range of backgrounds.

DEIB Programming

A truly enriching education reflects and uplifts our community's many identities and lived experiences. We welcome students and families of all socioeconomic backgrounds, races, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, family structures, and geographic locations, as well as diverse perspectives and worldviews. In this way, we cultivate a multicultural learning environment that prepares all children to engage intellectually, socially, and emotionally in a global world.

Our commitment to DEIB is woven into every aspect of school life—shaping our curriculum, guiding our admissions and hiring practices, deepening our professional development, informing our parent education speakers and opportunities, and strengthening our partnerships with families. We recognize that this work is ongoing and approach it with the same curiosity and humility that we nurture in our students.

List of 2 items.

  • Professional Development and Partnerships

    • Seven Hills is an active member of POCIS (People of Color in Independent Schools) Northern California, which supports the academic achievement, professional advancement, self-determination, and well-being of students, families, and educators of color in Bay Area schools.
    • To assess and strengthen our DEIB efforts, Seven Hills engages its community in a biannual campus-wide survey, the NAIS Assessment of Inclusion and Multiculturalism. This survey provides data-driven insights to measure progress and set meaningful goals.
    • We invest in ongoing training to deepen cultural competency and foster an inclusive learning environment. For example, faculty and staff participate in:

  • Global Travel & Cultural Immersion

    Our Middle School international travel program reinforces our DEIB goals, giving students firsthand experiences with different cultures and historical narratives.
    • 7th Grade WWII Trip: Students visit significant historical sites across France, Belgium, and Germany, including concentration camps, battlefields, and internment camps, fostering a deeper understanding of systemic oppression, bias, and human resilience.
    • 8th Grade Japanese Exchange Program: Students develop cross-cultural connections through homestays, school visits, and a visit to the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima, expanding their perspectives on history, ethical reflection, and global citizenship.

ECE Parent

We have truly enjoyed the warmth of the Seven Hills community. Every time we step into the yard during morning drop-off, we feel welcome and energized. There is such a great sense of inclusiveness and joy.

Meet the Team

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Kristina Wright

    Kristina Wright 

    Director of Strategic Priorities and Community Connection
975 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
The School admits students of any race, color, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and ethnic origin, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.