The Alumnae/i Association’s Board of Directors is deeply troubled about the lack of diversity at Hunter and supports current student efforts to increase the number of Black, Latinx, and economically disadvantaged learners at the high school. In the hopes of enacting change, the HCHSAA Board’s Diversity Committee has launched a series of initiatives that may yield positive results towards diversifying the makeup of the student body.
The HCHSAA Diversity Committee held a series of meetings with key stakeholders within the HCHS community during the summer of 2020. The Diversity Committee met with representatives of the PTA as well as current students who are actively working to implement change for future incoming classes. Working collectively with other groups, the Diversity Committee intends to support existing efforts and create new inroads that may advance the agenda of diversity at Hunter.
Some resources:
Students’ letter
Parents’ letter
Hunter College High School Alumnae/i Association’s letter
News from the School
Students’ initiative–HCHS Students for Diversity!
A letter from Dr. Tony Fisher, HCHS Principal
Association’s initiatives
The Diversity Committee is continuously looking for volunteers to assist with its efforts in increasing the number of Black, LatinX, and lower-income students in Hunter. Alumnae/i volunteers are needed to assist with tasks such as research, data analysis, outreach, and interviewing. We are also seeking student mentors and experts in the area of anti-bias training. For more information about the HCHSAA Diversity Committee or volunteering on a sub-committee, please contact Judith Daniel ’79, HCHSAA Diversity Committee Chair (Email: hchsaadiversity2020@gmail.com)
Grants to the high school that have been funded by the HCHSAA in relation to diversity:
NAIS/People of Color Conference
An annual grant from HCHSAA enables students and faculty to attend the annual National Association of Independent Schools’ People of Color Conference, engaging attendees with a comprehensive program of seminars and workshops. The NAIS is dedicated to fostering equity and justice in teaching, learning, and organizational development.
Bootcamp Prep for Hunter Exam
The HCHSAA has supported the applications of Black and Latinx students who are eligible to sit for the Hunter exam through providing on-campus test-prep preparation. The first Bootcamp was held in 2018, as an afternoon of introduction to Hunter coursework in English and Mathematics, provided by current Hunter students. The program was expanded in the fall of 2019 to three half-day Saturdays. Volunteer alumnae/i educators were recruited to provide instruction in Mathematics and English to 6th graders who were scheduled to sit for the exam. The parents of these students were also offered the opportunity to learn more about the school and address their questions and concerns with present student and alum volunteers.
ESPI Test Prep for Hunter Exam
The HCHSAA has worked in conjunction with the Exam Schools Partnership Initiative (ESPI) to support academic enrichment that will prepare young students for the Hunter exam. In the 2018-19 academic year, 20 ESPI sixth graders took the Hunter test.
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