Programming

Affinity Groups bring together people who share part of their identity (e.g. race, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, etc.). They provide time and space for participants to reflect, share experiences, share resources, and celebrate their identities. Although individuals in the group share part of their identity , not everyone may share the same experiences.

Affinity Groups are available to our Upper,Middle, and Lower School students. These groups are designed to be safe spaces for students to learn more about their various identities and to discuss their questions, comments, and concerns with other students who share that same identity. Affinity groups are student-led in the Upper School with faculty advisors, and they are led by faculty advisors in the Middle and Lower Schools. The groups are all created and sustained based on student interest. 

Our DEIB Department partners with the student life teams in the Middle and Upper Schools to design advisory conversations for students to build a healthy and inclusive culture where students can feel a deep sense of belonging.

• Lower School cultural competency programming focuses on social-emotional learning, self-awareness, and social impact through the lens of developing our school community.
• Middle School advisory programming delves deeper into cultural identity including ethnicity, race, ability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. 
• Upper School programming includes a ninth grade orientation with the DEIB Department, ninth grade conversations about inclusion and belonging during Peer Group meetings, opportunities to join the Student Diversity Leadership Committee, and opportunities to apply to represent Pingry at national conferences. 

Pingry’s Upper School Student Unions are open to anyone in the community to join their classmates to learn about the experiences and cultures of the sponsor organization. These groups invite students into conversations, hold informative (and fun) events, and sometimes cross-collaborate. Pingry has five student unions:

• Asian Student Union
• Black Student Union
• Gender and Sexuality Alliance
• Latino Student Union
• Slavic Student Union

Rooted in Pingry’s DEIB mission, the Student Diversity Leadership Committee (SDLC) is a student-led group that meets twice monthly to share perspectives, deepen understanding of identities, and build connections across the community. Through meaningful dialogue and collaborative initiatives, SDLC empowers students to develop leadership skills, foster inclusivity, and contribute to a culture of belonging at Pingry.

Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network offers programs and training opportunities designed to empower LGBTQ+ and allied students to organize and advocate for a safer school community. GSA leaders attend the GSA Forum and other diversity workshops and conferences.

In August 2020, The Pingry School began to examine, evaluate, and improve DEIB efforts in athletics in several ways:

• Personnel specifically designated to work in athletics and DEIB
• Have a diverse, equitable, inclusive lens on the various pieces of the athletics experience: transportation, scheduling, uniforms, celebrations, optional team gear, etc.
• DEIB-centered conversations and training sessions for coaches, grounded in Pingry’s values of inclusivity, belonging, respect, and community, with a strong emphasis on supporting the adjunct coaching community.
• Each season, student-athletes participate in DEIB sessions exploring teamwork, respect, and inclusivity in sports. Rooted in Pingry’s values, these discussions help athletes foster a supportive and equitable team environment.

This annual retreat, originally an internal student event exclusive to Pingry, has now evolved into a multi-school partnership called “We’re Better Together” (WBT). It is a collaborative leadership retreat centered on exploring identity, allyship, and developing leadership skills. The retreat provides Pingry students with the opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate with peers from other local independent schools.