Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

Grounded in the spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Catholic Social Teaching, and NDP's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Commitments, students develop as leaders and global citizens that recognize each person as made in God’s image and honors the dignity and gifts of each individual. In a community that fosters inclusion and belonging, students are educated and empowered to eliminate the root causes of injustice and transform the world.

DEIB Commitments

Notre Dame Prep’s formal Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Commitments were approved by NDP’s Board of Trustees and adopted by the school in 2021. These commitments are an expression of NDP's Catholic identity and serve as a touchstone for all our work promoting justice and equality.

As a Catholic, independent school, Notre Dame Preparatory School is rooted in the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching. The life and spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame permeate all aspects of NDP and its community. This spiritual heritage calls us and requires our actions to nurture in all ways a community of one mind and one heart.

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Commitment #1

Notre Dame Preparatory School’s mission, vision, and values guide our way forward and strengthen our commitment to the message of love, respect, justice, and equality for all.
Commitment #2

Notre Dame Preparatory School recognizes that racism is a sin and is committed to working towards ending all systemic racial injustice within the school community and extending to the greater community.
Commitment #3

Notre Dame Preparatory School embraces a diverse and inclusive community and is committed to creating an environment that honors and respects the dignity and gifts of each individual and fosters equity through its community life, programming and activities, and outreach to the broader community.
Commitment #4

Notre Dame Preparatory School is committed to educating and empowering young women to work actively to eliminate the root causes of injustice and thereby transform our world for the better.

Affinity Groups

Affinity Groups are intentional spaces where students can speak from the “I” perspective to build community, reflect on shared experiences, and celebrate identity. Affinity Groups are voluntary and based on various aspects of students’ identities. These groups provide a space for belonging while cultivating connection to the larger school community. Below are examples of Affinity Groups at NDP:

Asian Student Association
Black Student Union
Bridges
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Allies
Greek Student Association
Infinity
Latin & Hispanic Student Union
Middle Eastern Student Association

Student Leadership

At Notre Dame Prep, student leadership in DEIB empowers young women across both Middle and Upper Levels to celebrate cultural diversity, engage in meaningful dialogue, and foster an inclusive community. Through student-led councils, peer advocacy committees, and regional leadership conferences, our Blazers actively guide initiatives that promote equity, justice, and belonging.

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Middle Level Leadership Opportunities
Upper Level Leadership Opportunities

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DEIB Club

The Middle Level DEIB Club empowers young Blazers to take on meaningful leadership roles as they celebrate diversity and raise cultural awareness across our campus. Through engaging peer-led discussions and collaborative initiatives, club members actively cultivate a culture of inclusion, empathy, and belonging. By championing these vital values, our middle schoolers create a welcoming space where every student's unique voice is heard and valued.
Middle Level Ethnicity Showcase

Students from our Middle Level DEIB Club host the Middle Level Ethnicity Showcase each year to celebrate and share diverse cultures with their peers. During this engaging student-led showcase, students explore interactive displays, sample traditional foods, and reflect on new cultural insights.
Middle School Student Diversity Leadership Conference

Each year, several of our Middle Level students proudly attend the Middle School Student Diversity Leadership Conference hosted by Calvert School, joining peers from across the region for a day of meaningful dialogue and connection. Through interactive breakout sessions and affinity group discussions, students explore vital topics such as unconscious bias, equity, and the power of using their own voices. This dynamic event empowers our young leaders with the self-awareness, compassion, and skills necessary to foster a more inclusive community both on and off campus.

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Diversity Council

The Diversity Council is one of the four main student leadership organizations with Advisory representatives and elected student leaders.
Diversity Education Committee

The Diversity Education Committee is a collaborative group consisting of student peer leaders and adult mentors whose mission is to promote restorative justice, prevent discrimination, and foster equity through education, advocacy, and inclusive dialogue.
Student Leadership Conferences

Our Upper Level students participate in and serve as facilitators on regional diversity leadership conferences, such as the Baltimore Student Diversity Leadership Conference (BSDLC), alongside students from other independent schools.

Community Events & Gatherings

At Notre Dame Prep, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are woven into the very fabric of our school culture. Through student-led assemblies, annual prayer services, and vibrant cultural celebrations, our community routinely gathers to honor shared traditions, broaden perspectives, and celebrate the rich heritage of every student, faculty, and staff.

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Community Cultural Celebrations

Hosted by our Diversity Council and student Affinity Groups, Notre Dame Prep’s annual cultural celebrations foster inclusion, global awareness, and joy across our school community. Through signature events like Tastes of the World—highlighting cuisine, culinary traditions, and family recipes—and Arts of the World—featuring interactive workshops, visual displays, and live performances—students proudly share their own family heritage while discovering and celebrating diverse cultures from around the globe.
Heritage, Celebration, & Awareness Months

Notre Dame Prep's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) along with student organizations and affinity groups organize activities to coincide with heritage and awareness periods. Annual highlights include Hispanic Heritage Month in September and October, Black History Month in February, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in May.
Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service

Each year, our Black Student Union leads the NDP community in a dedicated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service, featuring student-led reflections on Dr. King’s life, civil rights contributions, and lasting call to justice.

Employee Development & Support

Notre Dame Prep empowers faculty and staff through dedicated professional development and supportive, employee-led spaces. By participating in regional diversity conferences and employee Affinity Groups, our educators connect through shared experiences, foster peer belonging, and bring diverse perspectives into our school community.

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Professional Learning Opportunities

Our faculty and staff regularly engage in professional learning opportunities designed to deepen cultural competency, inclusive teaching practices, and institutional equity.
Local & Regional Conferences

Our educators extend their learning beyond campus by participating in local and regional professional gatherings, such as the Mid-Atlantic Educators of Color Conference, to collaborate and share best practices with peer educators.
Employee Affinity Groups

These are voluntary, informal, employee-led groups that bring together employees who share common interests, backgrounds, and concerns. Just like our student Affinity Groups, they create an opportunity to speak from the “I” perspective and find support, belonging, and a shared space in an intentional way within the overall community. These groups can be created around a variety of interests, identities, lived experiences, or areas of needed support.

Board of Trustees Mission Integration & Belonging Committee

The Mission Integration and Belonging Committee (MIBC) supports Notre Dame Preparatory School in ensuring that all academic, co-curricular, extracurricular, and community-life programs are aligned with and animated by the School’s Catholic Social Teachings and the charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The committee works to ensure that mission, educational excellence, and an inclusive culture of unity and belonging are integrated across all aspects of school life.