Diverse Charter Schools Coalition’s vision is that an ever-growing number of American public schools will embody the diversity of our nation’s people – across race, socioeconomic status, language, and abilities- while preparing children to become future leaders in an increasingly diverse and polarized country. Yet American schools are more racially segregated in 2021 than in the 1970s. Now an emerging force of leaders, teachers, and communities seeks to counter segregation and advance equity by establishing Diverse-by-Design (DbD) charter schools.
At the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition (DCSC), we support, expand, and promote the work of these leaders and schools. We seek to increase our impact by sustaining, growing, and creating diverse-by-design schools – representing a membership base that currently collectively serves 80,000 students.
Our members, along with schools across the country, continued to face prolonged challenges of the pandemic. DCSC provides a network and support system to navigate these times. We know that now more than ever, students benefit from diverse schools that offer an intentional community.
We are the only national coalition of diverse-by-design school leaders who collaborate on shared strategies to achieve equity and inclusion. Led by a majority people of color staff and board (read more about our journey here), our coalition supports, expands and promotes inclusive, anti-racist schools designed to benefit all students. DCSC’s membership has grown from 14 founding member schools in 2014 to over 75 member schools and networks and growing.
Now we’re ready to build on our track record and increase our impact with a three-pronged approach to Support, Expand and Promote the Diverse-by-Design school movement.
As you read through our program highlights from this past year you will be able to see what our plans are for the next phase of our growth.
We’re excited to be on this journey with you. Please reach out to share your thoughts.
Thank you,
Director of Data & Evaluation
Managing Program Director
Deputy Director
Program Manager, Membership Engagement
Executive Director
Our membership represents over 200 individual Diverse-by-Design schools serving over 80,000 students. Our application process is designed to find schools and networks that are committed to recruiting, enrolling, and serving a diverse and integrated school community reflective of their broader community.
Schools that look to join the coalition are ones that demonstrate thoughtful work to promote high academic outcomes for students of all backgrounds; hire and train a diverse group of teachers and leaders; create a school culture in which all students and families feel welcomed, respected, and included; and confront institutional racism. We’ve made our membership application process more transparent by placing it on our website.
We see school integration as ongoing work. Our member schools don’t have all the answers; rather, we seek members that are reflective about their own strengths and challenges in the areas outlined above and are committed to striving to improve their efforts and outcomes along with other DCSC members with respect to diversity and equity.
We are pleased to share the members who joined us in 2021.
These Diverse-by-Design schools hail from 8 states and represent almost 4,000 students. Their commitment to diversity is reflected in their enrollment patterns and they share a vision for an equitable and inclusive education.
DCSC members are developing inclusive, anti-racist schools designed to benefit all students. Leaders say they can’t do it alone. DCSC listens. We have a proven track record of designing high-leverage ways for members to connect, learn, and develop the next generation of tools and strategies for diverse school communities.
Check out one of DCSC’s 60+ members to see how we promote, expand, and support the work of diverse-by-design schools across the country.
Prospect was DCSC’s most engaged member in the past year. The network participated in every DCSC program, presenting at our annual convening, leading a Community of Practice, and even serving on DCSC’s Board of Directors. Prospect has a strong academic track record and continues to expand its footprint to provide more Diverse-by-Design seats in New York City and beyond.
Being a recipient of the Blue Ribbon Award from the Department of Education, Yu Ming is consistently raising the bar on the level of education it provides its students. Yu Ming’s self-reflective approach had them lean in on learning more about the trauma of racism and is working with DCSC partners Roots ConnectED and Transcend about new student-facing offerings and materials for kids. In partnership with DCSC member Valor Collegiate’s Compass program, Yu Ming has implemented a curriculum to support student development in social-emotional competencies, while integrating its roll-out into routine staff development.
By selecting and honoring a Member of the Year, we hope that all members feel excitement for learning from an exemplar in Diverse-by-Design school leadership and that members celebrate the value of being part of the DCSC network, with increased enthusiasm around participation and collaboration.
If DCSC:
Then DCSC members will:
Jeff Heyck-Williams, Director, Two Rivers Public Charter School Learning Institute Network, Washington, DC
If DCSC:
Then Fellows will be able to:
Mallory Fiske, Director of Upper School, Detroit Prep, Detroit, MI
If DCSC:
Then DCSC members will:
Hanifi Oguz – Beehive Science and Technology School – Sandy, UT
If DCSC:
Then DCSC members (and key thought leaders in the field) will:
Ron Rice – National Alliance for Public Charter Schools & DCSC Board Member- Silver Spring, MD
We strive to invest in our people and our programming while keeping administrative spending at a minimum.
[mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-square” color=”#5069B1″] People 64%
[mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-square” color=”#ab8c3e”] Program 29%
[mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-square” color=”#f05d3a”] Administration 8%
[mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-square” color=”#028097″] Philanthropy 70%
[mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-square” color=”#bb932e”] Programs 15%
[mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-square” color=”#f05d3a”] Federal 9%
[mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-square” color=”#1d4488″] Membership 5%
[mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-square” color=”#28acb7″] Individual 1%
BRANDING • DESIGN • DEVELOPMENT BY Atelier LKS