Since the founding of Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School in 1921, a guiding principle of the school has been profound respect for the worth and dignity of each individual, along with sensitivity to the individual and group differences which make our school so diverse a community.

From the beginning of our school's existence we have worked to reflect this dual focus on each individual and on our diversity as a community in our student body, our faculty and our curriculum.

With respect to socio-economic diversity, our school's commitment is achieved through a generous tuition remission program, which makes it possible for students from families of all income levels to attend.

Ethnically, the school's student body has always been diverse. Through internship programs and aggressive recruiting, we constantly seek to increase the diversity of our faculty.

Our commitment to diversity is reflected in the school's curriculum as well. Our approach to learning, like our community itself, is inclusive, global and multicultural, reflecting our belief that true critical thinking cannot be attained without exposure to different traditions and worldviews.

Similarly, outside the classroom we attempt to strengthen our commitment to diversity by addressing issues of gender and sexuality, ethnicity and race, religion and values, individualism and community. Indeed, we view the differences that distinguish us as opportunities for the personal and intellectual growth of each member of the school community.

In all these ways, we continue to renew our fundamental beliefs. The growth of independent, well-rounded students - with a fully-developed sense of self - occurs best in an atmosphere that explores, celebrates and encourages difference and commonalities, challenges and opportunities, and the needs and rights of each in the diverse, inclusive community which is our school.