Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging

A Community of Belonging

Marist School’s focus on diversity, inclusion, and belonging is fundamental to our mission and expressive of the human dignity we all share because we are each made in the image and likeness of God. The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging supports and advances our Diversity Statement and works to ensure belonging flourishes in every area of our school. Through programs, community engagement, and partnerships across campus, we foster a school culture where each individual feels they are an integral part of our community. Our work builds on the Marist value of hospitality, embraces God’s enduring call to love one another, and celebrates the beauty and blessings that each member of our community possesses, enriching us all by their spirit and vitality.

Student Programming

List of 5 items.

  • Mosaic Student Club

    The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging partners with the Office of Student Leadership & Activities to sponsor Mosaic, an extracurricular club devoted to issues of diversity. Mosaic offers students opportunities to recognize and discuss the beauty and intricacies of cultural diversity within the Marist community and the world. This includes religion, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, gender, race, and ethnicity. 

  • Affinity Groups

    The Office of Inclusion & Diversity creates space for students with common backgrounds and experiences to come together for support, mentorship, and a safe environment for dialogue.

  • Student-Led Diversity Retreats

    Marist offers student-led diversity retreats for both high school and middle school students. Each retreat program is structured around age-appropriate teaching and activities. High school retreats are held off campus over a three-day/two-night weekend that is comprised of discussion, activities, and reflection related to forming allies, combating bias, and building community. Seventh and eighth graders attending Foundations retreats engage in role play and discussion, with a focus on self awareness (recognizing similarities and differences between themselves and others).
     

  • Guest Speakers and Assemblies

    The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging hosts prominent speakers and Atlanta-based community members for school-wide assemblies, classroom visits, and special occasion celebrations.

  • National and Local Conferences

    Throughout the school year, students who are interested in furthering their capacity for equity and inclusion work are invited to attend national, regional, and local conferences such as the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, the No Place for Hate Summit, and the Power Over Prejudice Summit.

Faculty/Staff Engagement

List of 2 items.

  • Professional Development

    In addition to required, in-house professional development and cultural competency trainings, Marist faculty and staff are encouraged to attend conferences that further equip them to advance the mission of inclusion in their curricula, classrooms, and workspaces. These regularly include the White Privilege Conference, the People of Color Conference, and workshops offered by the iChange Collaborative.

  • Inter-Departmental Collaboration

    The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging acts as a bridge between academic disciplines in order to bring the material to life or give it new perspective. Often times, this culminates in field trips, student projects, or special events.

Parent Involvement

List of 2 items.

  • Evening Workshops

    To continue the conversations that students and faculty have on campus, parents are welcome to attend evening workshops offered by both the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging and the Counseling Department.

  • Social Gatherings

    In the spirit of inclusion and fellowship, all parents and families are invited to celebrate our community and the various backgrounds represented within it. These celebrations include such gatherings as our annual Multicultural Tailgate and our New Family Meet & Greet.

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging News

List of 10 news stories.

  • The Marist AAPI Affinity Group organized its inaugural Lunar New Year Potluck on February 9.

    Marist AAPI Affinity Group Shares Lunar New Year Traditions

    Newly established this school year, the Marist School AAPI Affinity Group is a vibrant hub, fostering connections among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students. The group has quickly become an integral part of campus life, serving as a space where students delve into their shared experiences, traditions, and values while strengthening bonds and celebrating diversity. Recently, the group members and moderators marked the Lunar New Year, a significant holiday in many Asian cultures.
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  • Zane Johnson '25, Alia Abdo '25, Erin Davis '25, Gabby Ovadje '24, Eden Gebeyehu '24, Brooke Thomas '25, and Jayden Rachal '26 decorated the Bishop Gunn Administration Center display case for Black History Month.

    Marist School Celebrates Black History Month

    The observance of Black History Month at Marist School provides an opportunity for the entire community to explore African American culture, history, and literature, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the African American experience while also aligning with the school's mission to form students in the image of Christ through inclusivity and acceptance. This acknowledgement holds particular significance for our students, as it allows them to actively engage with and celebrate the diversity of perspectives within our school community.
    Read More
  • Jordan Snellings ’11 spoke to Marist students and teachers at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Assembly.

    Alumni Speakers Focus on Service and Justice at MLK Day Assembly

    The theme of Marist School’s all-school assembly in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was service as a pathway to justice. Through a collaborated effort between Marist’s Diversity Team and the Marist Alumni Office, students, faculty, and staff were inspired by the Marist graduates and faculty members who spoke eloquently on the topic. Marist values and Church teachings focus on service to others, and Martin Luther King, Jr. himself famously said, “Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” It was energizing to hear engaging stories of servant leadership, all of which provided excellent models to which Marist students can aspire.
    Read More
  • CNN correspondent Nick Valencia gave the keynote address at the inaugural Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month Assembly.

    Inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly Celebrates Belonging

    Over the years, Marist School has recognized Hispanic Heritage Month in a variety of ways in classes and clubs across campus, but, for the first time, Marist held an all-school assembly to spotlight the national opportunity to appreciate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Americans with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Marist is intentional about uplifting the blessings of diversity on our campus, and this assembly was a way to do just that in honor of the 9.2% of Marist students who identify with this background. A 2023-2024 signature event of Marist’s Office of Inclusion & Diversity, the Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month Assembly was organized by Marist history teacher Mr. José Gregory and a team of student leaders. By all accounts, the event was a resounding success.
    Read More

  • Progress Update on Inclusion & Diversity at Marist School

    Our Catholic and Marist values call for Marist School to foster a community of inclusion, and we work energetically toward that goal every single day. We are pleased to share this progress update about our multifaceted efforts surrounding inclusion and diversity. These initiatives ensure we acknowledge and honor the God-given gifts of every member of our school community and advance our important mission to form the whole person in the image of Christ.
  • The Real Talk Girls Conference attendees with Renee Ducre '89.

    Real Talk Girls Conference Celebrates Women’s History Month

    The Marist School Office of Inclusion & Diversity hosted the Real Talk Girls Conference on Monday, March 13. The afternoon event held on Schola Brevis, the first day of Term 3, marked the midway point of Women’s History Month. Open to all students, the event featured three guest speakers and table discussions led by Marist student leaders.
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  • Marist School Remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

    As Marist School joins the nation in marking the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 16, Marist President Fr. Bill Rowland, S.M. shares Dr. King’s most powerful quotes as inspiration to continue advancing the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change.
    Read More
  • Mr. Aaron Hill served as an SDLC faculty member working to plan and provide curriculum for the SDLC conference.

    Student Diversity Leadership Conference Attendees Present to Marist Faculty and Staff

    Eighteen individuals representing Marist School recently attended the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference for faculty and staff and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) for students held concurrently in San Antonio, Texas.
    Read More

  • May 2022 Progress Update on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Marist School

    We are pleased to share this update about Marist’s ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts along with an announcement welcoming Mr. Aaron Hill, Marist’s incoming director of inclusion and diversity.

  • Progress Update on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Marist School

    Marist School is pleased to share a progress update on our ongoing work surrounding Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. The update covers the various and most recent action steps we have devoted ourselves to in order to foster the inclusive, welcoming, and anti-racist school community our Catholic faith and Marist values call us to have. These steps, focused on the work we have done in the last 18 months, build upon and enhance the significant programming that has been in place at Marist School for many years. 

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Team

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Sarah Conn

    Ms. Sarah Conn 

    Teacher
  • Photo of Jose Gregory

    Mr. Jose  Gregory 

    Teacher
  • Photo of Maureen Pasteris

    Ms. Maureen Pasteris 

    Campus Minister
  • Photo of Carol Rivera

    Mrs. Carol Rivera 

    Science Department Chair

Diversity Statement

Marist School seeks to foster a community of inclusion that respects the dignity of the individual in the areas of age, gender, religion, ability, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, and sexual orientation. This obligation to build a community of inclusion is based on sacred Scripture, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and the spirit and traditions of the Society of Mary. All members of the Marist School community are responsible for advancing an understanding of and a respect for diversity.

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Marist School

3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30319-1899
(770) 457-7201
An Independent Catholic School of the Marist Fathers and Brothers