Approved by the Rising Tide Board of Directors in December 2022
Rising Tide is committed to building a safe, supportive, and inclusive community that honors diversity, so that all members know that they are welcome and that they belong. Each member of our community will treat one another with respect and integrity so that everyone may receive equitable access to opportunities for personal and academic growth. We will remain committed to this growth, and we will continue to protect, support, and honor all of the students, staff members, and families that make our school community one we are proud to be a part of. 

At Rising Tide, each and every aspect of an individual’s identity matters, including but not limited to: race and ethnicity; gender identity and gender expression; physical and/or intellectual disability or impairment; sexual orientation; religion or belief system; home language(s); family structure; age; body type and body shape; nationality and citizenship status; socioeconomic status; and living situation. We stand united in our commitment to creating and maintaining an environment that consciously and consistently fosters diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity. We stand up against racism, inequality, injustice, and discrimination. We strive to provide every community member at Rising Tide with access to the opportunities, resources, and support they need to attain their full potential. 

We must continue to confront and condemn systemic racism, bias, and oppression. The development of cultural proficiency and cross-cultural skills is critical for the current and future success of all individuals in our community and beyond. We believe in teaching and learning that authentically faces history, that honors diverse perspectives, and that listens to and elevates underrepresented voices. We strive to develop students and citizens who learn about structures of oppression in order to help dismantle them and who recognize bias and help eliminate it. We must all work toward the common goal of addressing, confronting, and eliminating oppression by humanizing the voices, experiences, and perspectives of those who have been marginalized and oppressed in both the recent and distant past.

We must address incidents of bias as soon as they occur, every time they occur. Both verbal and nonverbal acts of bigotry, hate, and discrimination have no place at Rising Tide. We are committed to supporting all targets of hurtful and hateful behavior, and it is our responsibility to create and maintain a space where members of all marginalized and underrepresented groups are safe and feel welcome. We must also hold accountable those who engage in such acts to help them understand the impact of their actions, whether intentional or unintentional. Using restorative practices that help them to understand the harm they have caused, students will learn from their mistakes, atone for their actions, and strive to rebuild trust within our school community in order to ensure a safe environment for all.