Assessment of Inclusivity and multiculturalism (AIM)

February 28 - march 28, 2022

Progress Meter - March 21, 2022

What is aim?

The National Association of Independent Schools’s (NAIS) Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) is a comprehensive instrument designed to evaluate diversity, multiculturalism, equity, and justice in independent schools. It is also designed to assist in strategic planning initiatives to build and sustain inclusive learning communities.

The assessment consists of two parts:

  • A quantitative survey which will be taken by all members of the WNS community (students in grades 4-8, faculty and staff, parents and caregivers, and alumni). Click here to take the survey. 
  • A self-assessment which will be conducted via focus groups of between 10 – 20 people (not mandatory). Please note, focus groups have now concluded. 

Goals of aim

The specific goals of AIM are to:

• Determine progress in meeting diversity and multiculturalism goals
• Identify current diversity and multiculturalism initiatives and learn about the successful initiatives of
other member schools
• Encourage participation of all school constituent groups and stakeholders in assessing the school’s
current level of inclusivity
• Provide affirmation of a school’s progress in meeting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusiveness goals
• Facilitate meaningful dialogue on building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive school community
• Provide benchmarking opportunities
• Support a positive community building process/experience

Take Survey Here

Click here

AIM Focus Groups

The function of the discovery focus groups is to conduct the school self-assessment through small group discussions on various aspects of the school and involve a cross-section of the school community.

The groups must contain a minimum of 10 people but no more than 20 so sign up for as many as you would like. Participants will be selected in a way that ensures a well-rounded representation of the community. Your group selection will be confirmed prior to your scheduled group meeting.

Please note, all AIM Focus Groups have now concluded. 

FAQs

Our goal is to have all members of the WNS community complete the survey. Each parent or caregiver should complete the survey individually. Students in grades 4-8 and above will complete the survey during school hours. WNS alumni will also be invited to participate. 

The survey should take around 20 minutes to complete. 

The survey link will be provided to all parents, caregivers and WNS alumni via email. Faculty, staff and students will complete the survey during school hours. Please note, only students in grades 4 and above will participate. 

Not at all! While we aim for all members of the WNS community to complete the quantitative survey, the focus groups are limited to 10 – 20 participants, ranging from parents and faculty/ staff to students. 

Yes! The data collected will be shared to the WNS community in a presentation. We anticipate this being around late spring. Further details surrounding this will be shared closer to the time. 

We intend to use the data to create an action plan with tangible steps in order to continue our growth in being a more inclusive and diverse school community. 

Yes – while participants are required to specify their relationship to the school (eg. parent/ faculty member/ administrator/ student etc.), no names are collected. 

Thank you for your participation, as we strive to make WNS a more inclusive and just environment for all. We hope to have answered your questions above, but should you still have any outstanding queries, please contact Dr. Martinique Starnes, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice at mstarnes@wns-la.org