Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Uncommon, diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to achieving our mission. We believe that all students deserve to see themselves in the adults who shape their lives, and that diverse teams are strong teams.

2019 Summer Teaching Fellows pose for a group picture

Teacher Diversity

We have proudly built schools where more than 50% of our teachers identify as people of color - over twice the national average - where our leadership team reflects the diversity of our staff, and where diversity and inclusion practices inform how we work together as an Uncommon team. We cultivate and strengthen our diversity through hiring, retention, and leadership development practices, as well as through our innovative Summer Teaching Fellowship program. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team develops deeply reflective staff training sessions, facilitates a regional speaker series, and supports authentic student and staff discussions across our schools, and more to help ensure that our school and workplace culture allows all of us to bring our whole selves to work every day.

Summer Teaching Fellows

Teacher working with student on worksheet

Leader Diversity

Uncommon Schools is committed to diversity and inclusion at all levels of our organization. The Lead from Within Program provides a unique opportunity for principals of color early in their career as school leaders to identify and discuss leadership values, further develop skills critical for running strong schools, and learn sustainable practices for their long-term success. Each Lead from Within fellow is paired with a mentor who is a senior leader in the organization and provides one-on-one coaching and thought-partnership, as well as a lifelong cohort who build a community experience in which leaders are seen, valued, and heard.

Lead from Within

Lead from Within Logo Banner
Applications Now Open

2022 Summer Teaching Fellowship

Apply Today

Our Curriculum

Our students engage in cross-cultural studies each year starting in Kindergarten, covering topics such as the Harlem Renaissance, Latino/a heritage, and the civil rights movement. Evolving our curriculum continuously to include and value a wide range of voices and perspectives is central to our mission. We teach our students to value themselves and each other. We ask them to read diverse authors, to debate their ideas in class, to engage with global issues during and after school, and to be part of a strong community. We develop our students’ voices not only because they will need them to succeed, but because the world needs to hear them.

Student speaking into microphone as other students look on