The statement Great Hearts released in an instagram post regarding the violence in this country showcases their inability to abide by their own educational objectives of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.

Their statement reads: 

“The times we are living through are a powerful reminder that virtue anchors justice and peace. May the next generation be immersed in what is true and beautiful for all people, honoring the dignity of each human being.” 

This post came on a day that was flooded with public support from many companies, public figures, and individuals for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in response to recent protests against police brutality. Great Heart’s refusal to acknowledge the BLM movement, instead choosing to focus on “each human being,” denies deep inequalities in this country. Inequalities which, despite affecting their very own students, Great Hearts has continuously ignored.

Unfortunately, Great Heart’s most recent failure to support the Black members of its community does not come as a surprise. 

While Black people have a rich history and culture in this country, the extent to which they are studied in the curriculum is extremely limited. The only books read concerning these topics are Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas and To Kill a Mockingbird, both of which only explore Black identity through the lens of oppression, and neither in a contemporary context. The extent to which students explore these topics does not delve into the cultural contributions of Black people to this country nor into the contemporary struggles that Black Americans experience. 

The lack of diversity in the curriculum is reflected in students’ experiences. Throughout a 7-year span at Chandler Preparatory Academy only one Black History Month was celebrated - a celebration that was led by a white guest speaker. When attempting to initiate conversations about modern-day inequality, students were immediately shut down as discussions about racism and other forms of inequality were barred, both in the classroom and in extracurriculars. Many students endured racial slurs both from faculty and other students (who were never punished). 

These are one white student’s documentations of Great Heart's failures. However, before Great Hearts diabled comments on their recent instagram post, nearly 1.500 members of the community shared stories in the comments section detailing negative experiences because of Great Heart’s inaction and discrimination regarding racial issues. This post showcases how, on a fundamental level, Great Hearts remains unwilling to engage with racism that permeates our country and, as evidenced by the outcry from students, the schools they run. 

We offer some solutions that we implore you consider:

- Integrate more diverse texts into your curriculum. The current curriculum has only one book by a person of color. The greatest room for improvement lies in the American history curriculum. Consider texts such as The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead and 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup. Additionally, look to ancient Black authors such as Rome’s Marcus Tullis Tiro. 

- Integrate more diversity into your arts curriculum. Have students read from BIPOC poets, perform plays by BIPOC playwrights, and study paintings by BIPOC artists. 

- Facilitate conversations about modern day racism. Have a specific unit taught about it in American history or in the senior curriculum. Allow extracurricular clubs that combat inequalities. Encourage these conversations instead of shutting them down. 

- Have a mandatory Black History Month celebration. Ensure that Black student voices are centered in this celebration, as they and they alone should lead this conversation. 

- Encourage diversity in your faculty. Actively recruit teachers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). 

- Begin a student advisory board that has direct access to Great Hearts Administration. Make sure this student advisory board is diverse and that their recommendations about schools are meaningfully heard and integrated into district-wide policy.

- Make your dress code more inclusive. Dress code policies regarding hair length and style currently discriminate against BIPOC students.

- Overhall diversity training for teachers. Ensure that faculty appreciate and respect diversity and are adequately trained to be sensitive to cultural and racial differences amidst the student body.

It is time that Great Hearts provides an education that actually abides by the values of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.

For all signees: I encourage you to share your experiences with Great Hearts and any thoughts you have on other potential solutions. 

Additionally, this petition is not all encompassing of the frustrations that students have with Great Hearts. As evidenced by the comment thread, there is immense potential for Great Hearts to expand support for mental health, LGBTQ+ students, and more. It is important to acknowledge these other flaws, as well as the intersection of these issues with many BIPOC students’ experiences.