Equity & Inclusion

Affinity groups offer Upper and Middle School students who share a common background the opportunity to gather and dialogue about their experiences. At OES, we open these groups up to all students who seek to support these identity-based groups.  Allyship groups combine students who share a common experience with their allies for dialogue. All groups are facilitated by trained student facilitators and convened by adult conveners.

Groups include:

• Black Student Union (BSU)
• Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA)
• Hispanic & Latiné Affinity Group
• Jewish Student Union
• LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
• Multiracial Student Affinity
• Neurodivergent Affinity Group
• OAsians
• South Asian Affinity Group

Each year, OES sends a group of Upper School students (fully funded by the school) to attend regional and national conferences, including the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, offered by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), in conjunction with the People of Color Conference for educators, administrators, and board members.

Additionally, the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) offers a regional Student Leadership and Diversity Retreat, which OES hosted in February 2018. NWAIS alternates between retreats for Middle School students and Upper School students.