Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Living our values of Welcome, Safety and Respect
In our mission statement, we promise to graduate students who are at “ease beyond their borders”; that is, students who have the cultural competencies necessary to engage with and serve in communities other than their own. Whether those borders are defined by race, culture, physical ability, socio-economic background or other measures of identity, Avenues equips its students to connect across differences and embrace access for all—both in and out of the classroom.
“Women of Color at Avenues provides a safe space for young women of color in the Avenues community to share their experiences and be proud of their roots. It has created stronger connections with peers and provided a venue for crucial discussions about how we can empower women of color—both inside and outside our community.”
Kim P., Class of 2022, founder of WOCA
Student Clubs and DEI:
+ Art and Activism
+ AAA (Asian Alliance at Avenues)
+ Black Student Union
+ BuildOn Club
+ Committee for Social Change
+ CareBooks and Co.
+ Food and Hunger Advocacy Club
+ Girls Ace
+ Girls Who Math
+ Latinx Student Union
+ Let’s Talk
+ MOCA (Men of Color at Avenues)
+ Peer Leadership
+ Queer Straight Alliance
+ Service Learning Club
+ WOCA (Women of Color at Avenues)
DEI BY NUMBERS
53.5miles
Longest commute to campus
236feet
Shortest commute to campus
13%
Students from outer boroughs
19%
Historically underrepresented students of color
34
Number of countries represented in student body
42
Number of languages
spoken at home
16
% of students receiving
financial aid
$11+million
2019-20 total financial aid budget
Community Engagement Highlights
Avenues students provide musical entertainment to fellow New Yorkers at the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen in Chelsea.
Community Robotics
Avenues’ middle grades First Lego League team partnered with Hudson Guild to create an after school Chelsea community robotics team. The team, made up of Avenues and Hudson Guild students, reached the FLL semifinals and are preparing for qualifiers in the spring.
Avenues Band at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen
For several weeks, the Avenues band performed jazz and funk at the soup kitchen while dozens of needy New Yorkers enjoyed a hot meal.
Community Mural Project
7th and 8th grade students worked with a world-renowned artist Max Frieder to design multiple large-scale murals for the Chelsea neighborhood. Students joined with peers from the Fulton Houses to paint the murals.
Community Engagement Partners
Community engagement and service learning are woven into the curriculum from nursery to 12th grade.
People
Kym Ward Gaffney
Global Director of Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion
Julie Sokoloff
ELC diversity representative
Cabrina Kang, Regina Hardatt
Lower Division diversity representatives
Eduardo Guzman
Middle grades diversity representative
Crystal Bates
Upper grades diversity representative
Annual Inclusion Awards
Organized by the Avenues Parent Association (APA), the Annual Inclusion Awards recognize staff, students and faculty who “take on an inspirational role in helping to create an inclusive community at Avenues.” Winners are nominated by the Avenues community.
2019-20 winners
Staff
Rich Henderson
Crossing Guard
Jacque Oduro
Technology Integrator
Student
Nicole Domingo
Class of 2020, Student Council President
Faculty
Sarah Elrafei
Upper Division World Course teacher
Annual Traditions
+ Avenues World’s Fair
+ Awareness Day
+ Black History Month
+ Carnival
+ Change Makers
+ Community Day
+ LGBTQ+ History Month
+ Lunar New Year
+ Chinese Cabaret
+ Spanish Cabaret
+ Transgender Awareness Week
“Diversity, equity and inclusion work at Avenues begins with the individual; exploring how our own biases, lived experiences and worldviews impact the ways in which we support our students and each other. As adults, we explore these themes via professional development, in-house workshops and sharing resources with the larger community. We work together to create spaces and places where students and their families, faculty and staff are seen, heard and valued.”
Crystal Bates
Upper Grades Representative for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Find out more
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AVENUES: THE WORLD SCHOOL
Headquarters
11 Madison Square North
17th Floor
New York, NY 10010-1420
- +1 212-935-5000