DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

long line of students hold hands across the football field

To be just, it is not enough to refrain from injustice. One must go further and refuse to play its game, substituting love for self-interest as the driving force of society. Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Our Jesuit mission calls us to action, and at De Smet Jesuit, we actively engage in our faith through our commitment to social justice.

What does this look like at our school? We start with our students. Our students come from 65 zip codes as well as several countries from around the world. We offer various affinity groups, a Learning Center for students with learning disabilities, and school-wide events that celebrate and honor the diversity present at our school. De Smet Jesuit remains committed to financial aid and equitable admissions practices, and our faculty and staff participate in ongoing training and professional development in equity and inclusion topics.

Under the expertise and guidance of our full-time Director of Diversity and Inclusion, who is a member of the Leadership Team, we partner with nonprofit organizations committed to social justice as well as our parents and alumni who contribute significantly to this critical dialogue. We actively engage in community conversations around specific local and national events, and we continue to rely on our faith, daily prayer, and the Jesuit call to be men and women for and with others.

A Place To Belong

School Events
Black History Month Assembly and Events February
International Women's Month March
Culturefest Spring
Workshops and Conferences Ongoing
AFFINITY/INTEREST GROUPS 
Black Student Union
Student Diversity Council
Multicultural Awareness Club
Social Justice Club
Young Democrats Club
Young Republicans Club
Row of white and black students with arms raised standing in front of a man at a podium onstage.
Black man stands onstage pointing at the audience while speaking.
large group of parents and students smiling in innovation center
DAAP/BSU Family Night 2019 - woman writing on paper and other woman watches and smiles
DAAP/BSU Family Night 2019 three women smiling holding De Smet Jesuit bags
DAAP/BSU Family Night 2019 - 6 students smile while sitting at table
four women in hispanic dress and two men wearing hats and playing drums
8 students in hoodies and jackets in front of White House
Large group of African-American students standing and seated in a classroom, smiling for the camera.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Place To Build Community

teachers in pews at Mass with light shining on cross

Faculty and Staff Development

De Smet Jesuit administrators and teachers are committed to ongoing professional development including specifically in the area of diversity and inclusion.

  • Culturally Relevant Teaching Strategies
  • Civil Discourse in the Classroom
  • Faculty and Staff Diversity Team
  • Systems of Oppression and Taking Action
  • Courageous Conversations Team
  • The What and the Why of Diversity Work at DSJ
three women smiling behind table in front of yellow wall

Partnerships With Non-Profits

Students, teachers, and administrators collaborate with our community partners.

  • Diversity Awareness Partnership's "Give Respect, Get Respect Program"
  • FOCUS STL's Youth Leadership Program
  • Ignatian Solidarity Network's Annual Teach in for Justice and Student Advocacy in Washington, DC
  • National Association of Independent School's People of Color Conference
  • Archdiocese of St. Louis
  • Anti-Defamation League
  • NCCJ St. Louis
  • Overcoming Racism LLC
  • Cultural Leadership St. Louis
  • Educators for Social Justice
DAAP/BSU Family Night 2019 three women smiling holding De Smet Jesuit bags

Engaged Parents and Alumni

Parents stay connected with our Director of Diversity and Inclusion and active in our community.

DAAP

  • Alumni Diversity Council
  • De Smet African-American Parent Council

DAAP Webpage

De Smet African American Parents Council (DAAP) Events

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Drae Cox

Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Science Department Chair
School: (314) 785-1291