The University of Missouri has recently made national news for race-related protests and oustings of Administrators, sparking debates over systematic discrimination across the country. With diversity, as well as its importance on college campuses, becoming one of the main social issues of our day, we asked members of the Bolles community if students at our school are being prepared for a diverse college environment.

First, a number of Bolles alumni gave credit to the International student population at Bolles for preparing them for diversity in college. Christine Gaitanzis, who is currently attending the US Naval Academy, describes how going to school with people from around the world at a young age taught her how to interact with people from different backgrounds. She also describes how her American classmates were “less patient” with students new to America, and “didn’t appreciate their differences”.

Others also praised the boarding program, but noted the lack of socioeconomic diversity at Bolles. Christine Gaitanzis admitted that Bolles mostly consisted of kids from wealthier families, saying:

 “It makes sense since Bolles is expensive, even though it’s worth the priceless education, but that’s just what happens at a place like Bolles”. Christine came to understand that “not everyone’s parents or relatives can pay for their education,” stating “it happens, it’s not a bad thing, but it was a new realization.”

The expansive amount of choices for colleges shocked many alumni thinking about the future. Attending Indiana University, Chelsea Katz mentions, “IU is like another world…and honestly, it is really easy to fall in the cracks.”

Diversity plays a role on some of the most prestigious college campuses, including Princeton. Yankia Ned, who is currently attending the elite Ivy League university, says that, “Princeton very much so looks like Bolles on a larger scale”. She also adamantly states that “the diversity (on campus at Princeton) nowhere reflects (the) world”. For students like Ned, Bolles is still nowhere near diverse enough.

Anna Reagan, a student at the University of Florida, says that while she did not fit in at Bolles, the education more than makes up for the shortcomings in diversity. Reagan describes the faculty as being “the most talented high school teaching staff in America,” and goes on to say that the teachers have a variety of ages, political opinions, and personality types. But when asked if she thinks that Bolles is diverse, the answer remains a resounding “no”.

Current students had opinions similar to those of the college students. Nikita Raheja (’16), as President of the Free and Equal Club, is highly aware of social issues in America and in her own school community. She says that the school “sometimes” promotes diversity, “but not to the level the school should be”. Claiming that “Bolles is 15-20 years behind as far as tolerance and diversity promotion”, Raheja  mentioned that “diversity has to start with the administration and teachers being active in promoting it.” According to Raheja, the Bolles community must be “open, willing to have discussions, and intolerant of all forms of discrimination.” While admitting that the International program makes Bolles more diverse, she also notes that the socioeconomic diversity at Bolles is lacking.

Mrs. Moyer-Shad, our Director of Student Life, said that Bolles is “doing well, but that there is always room for improvement.” She takes note that Bolles students tend to “have a huge heart when it comes to supporting those who are very different, but when issues come closer to home (like racial minorities), students are more reserved.” She also described the new administration as “incredibly approachable” and “open to suggestions from students” regarding diversity and tolerance on campus.

Bolles has made an effort to diversify our campus through various activities, clubs, and our boarding program. However, there is a lot of room for improvement, especially in socioeconomic diversity.