Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism

For more than 35 years Chesapeake Bay Academy has successfully and diligently lived up to its mission to “educate students through academic programs individualized to address their learning differences, empowering them with the skills and confidence necessary for success in higher education, careers and life.” Its vision is to “continuously improve an educational environment where students value diversity and families embrace each child’s uniqueness.”

Diversity at CBA begins with neurodiversity. Our students come to us with a wide range of learning differences that express themselves in a myriad of ways. Our diversity expands from there with families from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, and that is what makes our community so special.

In keeping with our mission and the diversity that is inherent within, CBA created a diversity task force in 2019, led by Trustee Tom Hasty. The task force consists of members from the faculty, staff, administration, and community.

Dave Levin, CBA Board Chair, challenged the taskforce to find a standardized assessment to evaluate diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of CBA’s operations. The Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) was chosen. AIM is a broad based approach to evaluating a school’s culture and climate developed by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), of which CBA is a member.

In the 2023-2024 school year, the Task Force took on the planning and implementation of the AIM. Focus groups were conducted in three major areas encompassing the entire school community: Student Life, School Governance and Leadership, and Teaching and Learning. Additionally, an extensive, confidential online survey for all school constituents was distributed.

The beauty of the AIM is that it is designed to be readministered over time to measure success towards goals developed after the initial implementation. The current results will set a baseline for subsequent surveys/focus groups, as well as assisting us in developing our goals for the next three years. CBA is proud to take on these important efforts as we continuously foster a cohesive and equitable community for all.