Menstrual products, elevators, and tofu in the lunch line. These might not be the first things you think of when we talk about diversity.

Now more than ever, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) is under scrutiny, with some questioning its role in educational institutions like Bishop’s. Unfortunately, DEIJ work is often misrepresented, leading to misunderstandings about its purpose and impact. Misconceptions about DEIJ often cloud discussions about its role in schools. Some believe that fostering diversity means taking opportunities away from others. Others claim that DEIJ promotes division or resentment, particularly toward white students. These ideas, however, are not reflective of the true intentions of DEIJ work. Ensuring that all students have access to opportunities does not mean reducing them for others; rather, it expands the possibilities for everyone. Equity is not about redistributing success—it is about removing barriers so that every student can reach their full potential. Conversations about privilege, systemic inequities, and history are not about shame; they are about awareness, growth, and the pursuit of a more just and inclusive world.

At Bishop’s, DEIJ is a reflection of the school’s commitment to creating a space where all are known, cared for, and feel that they belong. The school’s Diversity Statement affirms that “our differences are a source of strength” and that the community is dedicated to “the pursuit of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.” Far from being an “extra” or a political ideology, DEIJ is woven into Bishop’s academic and community life. To understand the full impact of DEIJ at Bishop’s, consider what the school would look like without it.

Without diversity, global education opportunities, international travel programs, and cultural events like potlucks would disappear. No spring break trips to Spain, no mango sticky rice for Lunar New Year, and no Latin American Student Organization (LASO) potluck and piñatas. These are not only opportunities for students to learn about various traditions, but for parents and extended family to connect, too. Say goodbye to holas, ciaos, or ni haos, because the world language curriculum, which promotes cross-cultural understanding, would be deemed unnecessary. In the classroom, we’d lose books and perspectives from diverse authors. This could look like the removal of  “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from our English curriculum, and our history textbooks could omit key historical moments reflecting diverse experiences. In chapel, we wouldn’t celebrate events such as Diwali, Pride Month, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Without equity, struggling students would lose access to office hours. In the 2024-2025 school year, Bishop’s students had the opportunity to attend a total of 68 hours and 45 minutes of office hours. That’s 4,125 minutes of additional support. Additionally, loaner laptops and deadline flexibility—accommodations designed to ensure students have supportive opportunities to succeed—would be eliminated. 

Without inclusion, 16 affinity spaces would no longer provide students with community and support. Affinity spaces aren’t just for different ethnic groups, but also for the military community, LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, and more. Dietary accommodations at lunch could be considered unnecessary, forcing students with medical, religious, or cultural dietary needs to go without appropriate meal options. The Learning Center, which currently serves 16% of students, could be disbanded. This would mean no more extended time, priority seating, typed notes, closed captioning, or other accommodations for 135 students who receive support services. 

Campus accessibility features, such as elevators and ramps, would no longer be prioritized. This doesn’t just affect those with long-term physical conditions, but also injured athletes. On the topic of athletes, girls’ and junior varsity (JV) sports teams, which foster participation and inclusivity, could be eliminated in favor of a more exclusionary system. We have 43 total teams, 12 being girls teams and 18 JV teams. Eliminating teams that are JV and/or girls teams would only leave 6 teams. Although we have always had girls sports at Bishop’s, inclusion is what allows those sports to receive funding and remain part of our athletics program today.

Without justice, we’d lose free menstrual products in restrooms, despite their necessity for many students and faculty alike. Financial aid enables students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds to attend Bishop’s. That would be eliminated too, under the assumption that every family can afford more than $50,000 in annual tuition. However, in a city like San Diego, where the cost of living is high, this would mean a minimum household income of $275,000 would be needed for just one child to attend Bishop’s, according to Ms. Miller, our Associate Director of DEIJ.

Since its founding in 1909, The Bishop’s School has been deeply rooted in its Episcopal identity, shaping generations of students with values of integrity, inclusion, compassion, and justice. Originally established as a girls’ boarding school to prepare young women for college, Bishop’s has evolved while staying true to its foundational principles of DEIJ.

DEIJ enhances diversity of thought, rather than restricting it. DEIJ does not limit free speech, rather it ensures that all voices, particularly historically marginalized, are heard in conversations. DEIJ is not a political agenda; it is a moral and educational commitment—one that is embedded in Bishop’s Episcopal values and foundational mission. To remove DEIJ would not be to return Bishop’s to a “neutral” state; rather, it would be to erase a century-old commitment to integrity, inclusion, compassion, and justice. Bishop’s is, and always has been, a school that fosters academic excellence while preparing students to be thoughtful, engaged citizens of the world. That mission is impossible without DEIJ.