Equity and justice are the foundation of the Roeper Philosophy as defined by founders George and Annemarie Roeper.
Diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice are fundamental to the Roeper School mission.
At Roeper we see:
Diversity as meaningful difference.
Equity as ensuring full access and meeting diverse needs.
Inclusion as fostering belonging and valuing all perspectives.
Justice as embodying equity, love, and compassion.
Justice at Roeper means respecting the dignity of every individual and addressing historical inequities. Our philosophy emphasizes the connection between the individual and the community, valuing diversity, and recognizing the interdependence of all.
We are committed to fostering a safe and welcoming environment where all voices are heard and represented.
The Roeper School admits students without regard to ethnicity, gender, cultural background, religion, or sexual orientation, and entitles them to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
In 1941, after being forced to flee their home in Germany, George and Annemarie Roeper moved to Michigan and founded The Roeper School. At a time when the Nazis were shattering democratic systems across Europe, the Roepers understood they could not be silent. As religious refugees from totalitarianism, the Roepers experienced firsthand the consuming power of hate, bigotry, and prejudice that forced them into exile. They established The Roeper School as a place where students could develop their voices and stand against authoritarian injustice, a place where human rights would be held in esteem, and where a commitment to humanism would shape the community that needed to be built.
The Multicultural Leadership Team (MLT) is an advisory and action group of faculty and administrators committed to supporting the multicultural-related work and experiences within the Roeper community.
This MLT guides programming and creates recommendations regarding policy and practice to ensure that Roeper sustains and expands its growth as an intentionally inclusive, preschool through grade 12 multicultural community.
An affinity group unites people who share a common identifier, such as race, gender, religion, or family status. These groups are designed for individuals who identify with the group and can share personal experiences from their own perspective.
Roeper’s commitment to diversity fuels its support for programs that enhance community awareness and provide students, faculty, staff, and families with immersive experiences in diverse cultures.
To report an incident, complete the form posted on the DEIJ section on the Resource Board. Submit it to one of the contacts listed on that page.
Contact Info
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Carolyn Lett
Director, Diversity and Community Programs
(248) 203-7396
In partnership with Eton Academy, Roeper welcomed Jonathan Mooney, celebrated author of Normal Sucks, speaker, and activist for neurodiversity and the disability rights movement, for a talk with educators and the parent community.
List of 4 items.
32%
of students are students of color
$2.9M +
Over $2.9 million in Financial Aid & Scholarship awarded annually
19%
of our faculty/staff are people of color
55
Students come from over 55 different school districts
Let's Celebrate
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MLK Jr. Celebration and Candlelight Walk
Roeper's MLK Celebration and Candlelight Walk is an evening devoted to honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. For over 30 years, we have welcomed people from all over metro Detroit to celebrate in the Martin Luther King, Jr Domes on our Bloomfield Hills campus.
Diversity Film Series
The Diversity Film Series launched in March 2006. Members of the school diversity committee saw a film festival as an ideal way to showcase a wide range of writers, directors, actors, and stories that celebrate diversity, as well as an outreach to communities beyond Roeper.
Past films have included The Cleaning Lady, The Grace Lee Project, Detroit Unleaded, and Shalom Y’all.
Cultural Exploration Day
Guided by faculty advisors, student diversity groups organize experiential programming to raise awareness of the many facets and benefits of diversity. Students choose from workshops provided by leaders in the community to gain exposure on topics such as Arab relations, the LGBQT community, racial bias in the judicial system, and challenges faced by physically disabled people.
Make A Splash
The mission of Make A Splash is to break the dangerous generational cycle of non-swimming in diverse communities. Through the generous support of The Roeper School and other donors, affordable swim lessons are offered to as many children as possible. This program affects positive change through education by teaching the life-saving skill of swimming. Children receive personalized instruction with a 1:6 teacher to student ratio.
The search for differences in the world and the effort to understand them will prepare a fertile ground for abundant creativity. Intelligence only helps to make use of it.
Educating and inspiring gifted students to think as individuals and to engage as a community with compassion for each other and this world.