We recognize that exceptional ability knows no boundaries, yet that inequitable access to resources may prevent gifted students who are disadvantaged from reaching their potential. Providing adequate and appropriate resources, and identifying and meeting the needs of all our students is central to our mission.

Welcome

Maintaining a diverse community across dimensions is a priority, and we believe that justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) are essential aspects of providing an optimal education for our gifted students. Our school utilizes research-based curriculum and pedagogical strategies to integrate these tenets into the foundation of the programming of our school. Through culturally responsive instruction and ongoing opportunities for interaction with diverse peers, both within school and the broader community, a Grayson education will promote the citizenship, development, social awareness, complexity of thinking, and communication skills essential for our students to thrive in an increasingly multicultural nation and global economy.

For more information, please read our non-discrimination policy and process.

As America continues to struggle with social justice and anti-Black racism, the hard work at Grayson taking place around becoming “anti-racist” is more important than ever. A just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (JEDI) place of learning will enable our amazing students to become leaders of a world free from prejudice and hatred. The faculty, staff, and Board must persist in doing this work around advancing Grayson as an institution anchored in the JEDI principles and values, and lived out on a daily basis. It could not be more vital.
— Joseph Sun, Grayson Board of Trustees and JEDI Committee Chair

JEDI IN ACTION

From Our Gifted Blog

In the Community and Classroom

The Promise of Change Student Book Report
Please click the image to read a wonderful new book review of "This Promise of Change" from a 5th grade student who writes under the pen name "Boongirl" for our student e-newspaper, the Grayson Globe. It is a true story about desegregating schools.
worrell_frank
Dr. Frank C. Worrell spoke with our community in November on the factors that lead to many high potential students of color and other underserved populations to be missing in gifted programs: the achievement gap, opportunity gap, and excellence gap. His insights and research on cultural identities offers all of us a path to increased understanding and collaboration to provide the coursework and social and emotional supports that gifted children need.
JEDI: Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
Sharing the different cultural celebrations in our community with each other happens in the classroom, and...
jedi-mc-night
...at family events like Multicultural Night that give us opportunities to share our stories.
jedi-cultural-studies
Grayson students create and lead their own clubs that provide them an opportunity to inform, support, and advocate for JEDI issues that are important to them.

JEDI Committee

After five years of growth and development as a school, our Head of School and Grayson Board of Trustees decided to create a new subcommittee of the board’s existing diversity committee. The newly constituted JEDI committee includes board members, faculty, staff, and parents. This committee is charged with expanding existing JEDI related initiatives within the school and proposing new policies, structures, and programs to help cultivate an inclusive learning environment where all students will thrive. The JEDI committee will spend the 2020-21 academic year developing a long range diversity plan in consultation with the board, faculty, staff, parents, and students. The founding members of the JEDI sub committee are:
Joseph Sun, Board Member, Chair
Melissa Bilash, Head of School
Tiffani Hurst, Board Member
Liad Pernock, Board Member and Parent
Liz Braun, Director of Development and Community Partnerships
Lindsay Andreas, Social Studies Teacher
Jorge Muñoz, Spanish Teacher

JEDI Discussion Group

In the summer of 2020 the JEDI committee launched a monthly discussion group for faculty and board members to discuss issues related to race and racism particularly within the context of education. Discussions are focused on the areas of critical literacy, gifted education, community, connection, and direct action. The group’s goals are:

  1. Develop a practice of anti-racism in the context of our school and our lives.
  2. Empower participants to build a strong community of reflection and action, and
  3. Grow a strong coalition of educators dedicated to creating a more just, equitable, diverse and inclusive school community and world.

This group will also provide a collaborative space for faculty to incorporate JEDI principles in their curriculum and pedagogy.

All Grayson Board members, faculty, and staff are welcome to join the JEDI group at any time.

Resources

Affirming Black Lives is a featured resource from Albert Academy that provides over 150 racial justice resources. This curated list of books, videos, articles and more is sectioned for Teachers and School Administrators, Creating Curriculum, and Students and Families. Click here to bookmark this ever growing list of references on Google Drive so you can always access the most current list.

Below are a few more resources that we have found valuable in our work, and we will continue to add more.

For Parents
For Educators
Gifted Resources