POCIS at CCDS

People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS) was originally established as a committee of the National Association of Independent Schools. A local group was established at Charlotte Country Day School in 1998 and is an organization that supports students, faculty, administrators, and parents who believe that diversity and multiculturalism are endemic to quality education for all.

The diverse cultures, languages, knowledge, and insights of people of color contribute to creating inclusive and affirming institutions, and POCIS is a forum that promotes dialogue among African American, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Asian American, Native American, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, European American, and multiracial colleagues who support this mission.

POCIS supports increasing diversity in independent schools and school climates in which the academic and social well being of all students and adults of color is assured.

If you are interested in becoming a part of POCIS or would like additional information, email the Cultural Diversity Office.

Accomplishments

We believe students benefit significantly from an education that affirms diversity as a value that is central to educational and academic excellence. As a result, in an effort to strengthen our school's commitment to diversity, we:

• Host an annual diversity conference in July entitled "Building an Inclusive School Community" that is open to teachers and school administrators in the Southeast.
• Instituted a Parents of Color In Independent Schools (POCIS) action group.
• Enhanced the school's curriculum to reflect the needs of our multicultural world.
• Became the first school in North Carolina to become affiliated with A Better Chance (ABC), a national organization that helps identify and place qualified minority students in schools and colleges.
• Established three endowed scholarships specifically for minorities.
• Instituted the William Randolph Hearst Teaching Fellowship Program, which introduces minority first-year teachers to Charlotte Country Day and to the teaching profession.
• Hired a full-time director of diversity planning to oversee the school's diversity programs.
• Increased enrollment of students of color.
• Became the first independent school in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area to implement a national faculty development seminar called "SEED" (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity).