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Diversity at St. John's

In a diverse community, the unique experiences of an individual help to inform and educate others toward a deeper and wider perspective. Children need to ponder the wonder and complexity of the differences and similarities that make us uniquely and collectively human. Each child thus grows emotionally, spiritually, socially and intellectually, and is better prepared for the challenges of higher education, the workplace, and our increasingly connected and complex world. Toward that end, St. John’s is dedicated to fostering an atmosphere of equal opportunity in three key ways:

  • Encouraging the enrollment of students from diverse economic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds;
  • Seeking to hire excellent faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds;
  • Promoting a bias-free environment by addressing issues of diversity and equity in all aspects of the school and the students’ education.

    • Diversity Committee

    The St. John's Board of Trustees created the Diversity Committee to encourage diversity among our students, faculty and staff, as well as in the programs that are part of our curriculum. The Committee sponsors events throughout the year and works closely with our staff to ensure continued emphasis on the promotion of diversity at St. John's. The Diversity Committee is chaired by Board member Marilyn King.

    Model United Nations

    St. John's is an active participant in the Global Elementary Model United Nations (GEMUN) program. Last year, we had Model UN teams for fifth through eighth graders. Younger students are involved as pages. Students participating in Model UN write resolutions that address global issues and defend their resolutions in mock debating sessions at the annual regional GEMUN conference. In addition to helping students develop skills in leadership, communication, and conflict resolution, Model UN demonstrates the importance of exchanging ideas and understanding different perspectives.

    Collaborative Learning

    The St. John's collaborative learning program enables St. John's students from every grade level to collaborate with students from schools around the state, country and world. By encouraging this creative and collaborative approach to education, we broaden the students' perspectives, while at the same time giving hands-on practice with the technology that supports this collaboration, as well as teaching the actual curriculum.

    A few highlights from our collaborative learning program:

    • Second graders work with a school in New Brunswick, Canada. They pair up as pen pals to practice skills learned in writer's workshop, and chart tulip bulb growth rates to practice math skills and understand the effects of climate.
    • Fourth graders stay relatively close to home while working with The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and students at Blooming Grove Elementary School in Navarro County to study man's effect on the Trinity River watershed.
    • Eighth graders have partnered with students in Turkey to establish the Green Ribbon School Pilot Project, a program that enables schools worldwide to assess how environmentally friendly their practices are and develop a plan for improvement.

    International Club

    In 2008, St. John's students formed the International Club. The Club's mission is to be educated about and have a better understanding of different cultures, and to expand members' knowledge of ethnic groups around the world.