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Ascend's Equity Steering Committee, involving teachers, leaders, and staff, is pivotal in shaping our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (DEIA) Commitment

We've built a strong foundation in DEIA principles across our network through consultations and workshops. Our efforts have included 'Leading with Equity' training for leaders, a comprehensive DEIA Resource Library, and curriculum enhancements reflecting diverse perspectives. Recently, we've integrated DEIA into literacy, aligning our reading programs with scientifically proven methods to address educational disparities. This aligns with our mission to provide diverse and inclusive educational experiences. We recognize literacy as a critical element in fostering an anti-racist and equitable learning environment. 


As we continue to evolve, our commitment to DEIA remains integral, hence ensuring every student can see themselves in our curriculum and excels in their learning journey. Please read our commitment to DEIA below.

Read Our DEIA Commitment Statement

Actualizing our Commitment

Our work to become a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist organization is ongoing, but we will know Ascend is making progress when:

  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism are integrated into all that we do, and we have clear measurement and accountability systems and dedicated resources to further this work;

  • All students, families, teachers, and staff feel a sense of community and are valued, safe, supported, and welcomed;

  • Students are held to high expectations that balance accountability, respect, and love;

  • The team is actively building DEIA mindsets and skills that enable them to serve and support students at the highest level and create spaces that enable students to bravely advocate for themselves;

  • There is transparent and consistent communication and action; and all systems, processes, and policies are free of bias and reflect the diverse beliefs, voices, and experiences of the Ascend community.

Equity Advisory Committee


The Equity Advisory Committee (EAC) is a cross-functional, advisory group that provides input into Ascend’s DEIA strategy and programs, facilitates communication and information sharing related to this work across the Ascend community, and supports the delivery of stated goals and outcomes.

Read Our Charter

Get to know our community.


We are a passionate community who values diversity and strives to provide both windows and mirrors to our students.

Gender identity of students
Recy Benjamin Dunn
From our CEO

I am driven by a deep conviction for social justice and for fighting for the rights of all children, especially Black and Brown students and other groups who historically have not received the education that was promised to them. At Ascend, we have made the commitment to become a more equitable, diverse, inclusive and anti-racist organization. However, this is more than just a statement for us. It is a lens we use to interrogate all the policies and structures that exist in our organization and ensure we keep diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism at the forefront of what we do each and every day. We must all work together to dismantle and disrupt inequitable, exclusionary systems and practices to create environments where all people can thrive as their authentic selves.

Recy Benjamin Dunn

Chief Executive Officer, Ascend

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