Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)

JEDI conversations are infused throughout our curriculum. From discussing gender and gender norms in 1st grade, to diving into class novels such as 4th Grade’s El Deafo by CeCe Bell, to 6th Grade’s capstone Purpose Learning course, JEDI topics are covered in developmentally appropriate ways Pre-K–6. We are always revisiting our curriculum and looking for new ways to share more perspectives and stories. Our work is informed by research and highly experienced JEDI practitioners in Los Angeles and beyond.

To create opportunities for whole-school learning, we host four JEDI days each school year, tied to each letter of the JEDI acronym. Our JEDI days serve as times for the whole school to focus on the same themes, come together for morning meetings and assemblies, and engage in action together. Over the course of the day, every grade level has in-depth conversations at developmentally appropriate levels based on the theme for the day. At the end of each day we host parent, guardian, and caregiver events focused on related themes, so families can continue the conversation at home. To ensure teachers are prepared to lead in their classrooms, teachers attend a professional development on the topic in the weeks leading up to each JEDI day. 

We believe that social and emotional learning and JEDI work go hand-in-hand. One way we ensure these topics are connected is through our Kindergarten-6th Grade Flourish Blocks. Each grade level has a dedicated class block per week just dedicated to teaching towards our Flourish Traits and our JEDI Learning Goals, inspired by Learning for Justice’s Social Justice Standards and Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves.

Every few years, we survey our families about the holidays and celebrations that they observe at home. Using this list, we plan a series of assemblies that recognize the holidays and celebrations that are important to our community. Additionally, we host assemblies for different heritage months and history months. We always provide curricular materials for teachers to build off of these conversations. At the same time, we strongly believe that these holidays and celebrations are not the only time that we celebrate and acknowledge our diversity in our curriculum and classrooms.

In 2025-2026, the JEDI team and specialist teams will be acknowledging the following holidays and celebrations through assemblies, curriculum, and events: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month, Dia De Los Muertos, Diwali, New Years, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Winter Solstice, MLK Jr. Day, Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Women’s History Month, World Hearing Day, Holi, Cesar Chavez Day, Ramadan, Arab American Heritage Month, Earth Day, Jewish American Heritage Month, Passover, Cinco De Mayo, Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Pride Month.

Our school also observes Juneteenth, & Disability Pride Month, but we will provide materials for teachers to touch on these important days at other points in the school year.

An important part of our JEDI programming is supporting our students in bringing their full identities to school. Here are a few examples:

• Supporting a group of 5th & 6th grade AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) students and allies in creating a month-long series of events for AAPI Heritage Month in May

• Supporting two 4th Grade students in bringing Holi to Echo Horizon

• Creating a series of Upper Elementary JEDI/SEL lessons around gender norms after students wondered about some of the stereotypes they had been hearing

• Creating opportunities for students to share their holidays and traditions at school

Our JEDI work extends beyond our classrooms. Here is some of the adult-facing work we do:

• JEDI Committee: The JEDI Committee focuses on well-being, education, and research related to JEDI topics and our community. The JEDI Committee is open to all parents, guardians, faculty and staff.
• Faculty/Staff Professional Development Sessions & Curricular Support: The JEDI team creates at least five Echo Horizon-specific professional development sessions for our faculty and staff each year, in addition to bringing in outside experts to support our adult learning. Past experts include Monique Marshall and Dr. Bettina Love. We also send teachers to conferences, such as the National Association of Independent School’s People of Color Conference (PoCC). The JEDI team also supports teachers in developing lessons and unit plans.
• Family Education Events: The JEDI team hosts a site-specific community and learning opportunity for caregivers in association with each JEDI Day. The JEDI team has also led parent education sessions for new families and the Parent Association.

Speaker Events: 

We are thrilled to host speakers and events for our families. Past featured speakers have been Ilya Kaminsky, an award-winning poet who read from his collection Deaf Republic and spoke about his experience as a Deaf and Ukrainian writer. Often, we bring outside speakers and organizations on campus to partner with us for our JEDI Days.

Adult Affinity Spaces:

The JEDI team also collaborates with the Parent Association in support of their affinity spaces, which currently include:

• Havurah (Parents of Jewish Students)

• LGBTQIA+ Parents

• Nuestra Cultura (Parents of Latinx and Hispanic Students)

• Sankofa (Parents of Black and African American Students) 

• Parents of Asian American and Pacific Islander Students

• Parents of Multiracial and Multi-ethnic Students

• Raising Rainbows (Parents of LGBTQIA & Gender Diverse Students)

• Parents of Students with Varying Abilities

• White Race-Conscious Parenting Group

Additionally, the Echo Center holds a number of community events for Echo Center parents and caregivers. Echo Horizon is also a sponsor of Private School Village, which is a unique community of support, created for Black independent school families by Black independent school families.