Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Affinity Groups at Bank Street

Explore groups for students, parents, and faculty

Student Affinity Groups

  • Lower School

    Lower School Affinity Groups

    Starting in first grade (6/7s), race-based affinity groups, which are designed to build a positive identity for every child, are formally used in the spring as an integral part of the Racial Justice and Advocacy (RJA) curriculum. First grade (6/7s) affinity groups include:

    • Kids of Color Affinity Group
    • Multiracial Affinity Group
    • White Anti-Racist Affinity Group 

    Learn More (pdf)

  • Middle School

    Middle School Affinity Groups

    Race-based affinity groups, which are designed to build a positive identity for every child, are formally used in the spring for the Racial Justice and Advocacy (RJA) curriculum. Race-based groups for children in Middle School include:

    • Kids of Color Affinity Group
    • Multiracial Affinity Group
    • White Anti-Racist Affinity Group 

    The following three groups support children’s identities around family structure and gender.

    • Adoption Affinity Group
    • Banana Splits
    • Gender Spectrum Alliance Club

    Learn More (pdf)

  • Upper School

    Upper School Affinity Groups

    After learning about the importance of affinity spaces in positive identity development in the Lower and Middle School, students in the Upper School can choose to continue to participate in any affinity group they wish. Race-based affinity groups for students in the Upper School include:

    • Kids of Color Affinity Group
    • Multiracial Affinity Group
    • White Anti-Racist Affinity Group 

    The following groups support children’s identities around family structure and gender.

    • Banana Splits
    • Adoption Affinity Group
    • Gender Spectrum Alliance Jr. | Fifth Grade (10/11s) and Sixth Grade (11/12s)
    • Gender Spectrum Alliance Sr. | Seventh Grade (12/13s) and Eighth Grade (13/14s)

    Learn More (pdf)

Parent Affinity Groups

In collaboration with the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, parents create opportunities for families to come together and support each other in various affinity groups. Parent affinity groups include:

  • Parents of Children of Color (POCOC) Group
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Headed Families Affinity Group
  • Learning Diversity Support Group (LDSG)
  • White Anti-Racist Affinity Group (WAAG)
  • Adoption Affinity Group (AAG)
  • Raising Gender-Diverse Children Group
  • Jewish Families Affinity Group

Learn More (pdf)

Faculty Affinity Groups

Faculty and staff at the School for Children participate in various affinity groups, including:

  • Educators of Color (EOC)
  • White Anti-Racist Affinity Group (WAAG)
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Group

Learn More (pdf)