<p>Depends on what you see as balanced and real world…While the bs population may not accurately reflect the U.S. population, it reflects the global population–perhaps not with exact accuracy, but far more accurately than the U.S. population. Schools with that level of diversity tend to put a lot of emphasis on training “global citizens” (in Exeter jargon, from every quarter, to every quarter.) </p>
<p>That may not be the right fit for everyone–but it doesn’t completely preclude white, middle class FA kids like mine. And really, when has bs ever reflected the population at large?</p>
<p>@Weatherby (sorry, don’t know how to work the quote function here)</p>
<p>"How diverse is a school like PE that matriculates 44% of color and 10% international?</p>
<p>Is that the real world?"</p>
<p>IMO, when thinking about this, it’s important to remember definitions of “real world diversity” depend on the community you (or your child) is coming from. Assuming you’re American, yes, some communities are 80+% white, but other communities are very diverse, with people from many ethnic groups and backgrounds. Some neighborhoods you might even find that when parents refer to a school being diverse, “diverse” isn’t code for students of color, but instead, it refers to white families. All these scenarios together contribute to the “real” America.</p>
<p>My community is unfortunately 99% white and one of my criteria for a private school is representative diversity. I want my child to be in a more diverse environment (from many perspectives). There is a lot of discussion of fit. To me, 55% non-causasian is quite a divergence from my vision of representative diversity. I really do not care, the schools can admit whomever they want. We just have to find one that is a right fit and will take my kid. This thread has been helpful as it will provide a new column in the decision spreadsheet.</p>
<p>Weatherby: 55% non-caucasian assumes that all of the international students are students of color–which is not the case. However, it’s certainly true that PE is an unusually diverse place.</p>
<p>Still, I don’t think it’s accurate to lump all students of color into one homogeneous mass. A wealthy girl from Hong Kong is worlds apart from an inner city boy. (African-American, Hispanic, or white) from the Bronx. My kid commented to me once that he felt he had most in common (in terms of families and values) with non-Asian minority kids at his school --most of those kids came from families where parents were teachers or other middle class professionals. In many ways, those kids are the ones representing mainstream America.</p>
<p>Agreed, classicalmama and weatherby, many ways to define diversity-- that go well beyond color/ethnicity. </p>
<p>I figure this is all just another of many components that determine what makes one school a (potential) great fit for one kid, and a mismatch for another.</p>
<p>Some of my nearest neighbors are Asian. I have a relative studying in Asia at present, and some of my children’s best friends, at various schools, have been Asian. If your children want to work in finance, science, or the professions in the 21st century, they will have Asians of various nationalities as friends and coworkers–maybe also as spouses.</p>
<p>If your children attend an elite college, there’s a chance your grandchildren will be half Asian.</p>
<p>disclaimer riddled projections for 2050 carry little weight in my decision process but thanks for posting the link, I did read it. </p>
<p>Schools that are 55-65% non-caucasian and/or non-american simply lack balance as I see it. 20-30% students of color, 8-10% foreigners, and 60% caucasian would be a more balanced environment that more reasonably reflects society in the US. Of course there is much more to diversity, but these stats and % on FA are the only real diversity statistics offered by the schools. I just do not think my underrepresented majority middle class kid would fit at an Exeter.</p>
<p>Which is why Baskin Robbins has 32 flavors. You just hit on a very important point. Different strokes for different folks. Schools are looking for good matches for their seats.</p>
<p>Diversity is something I screened for when helping my d select schools to apply to. All kinds of diversity–racial, financial, country of origin–that’s usually all you have to go on, but you can get ideas from lists of student clubs too. Like another poster, we live in a very white area and I want my kids exposed to a wider variety of skin colors, ethnicities, etc.</p>
<p>So to me, if a school is 50% nonwhite/non-American, that is a plus. D has spent years surrounded by white Americans so overkill for a while is appropriate. Additionally, I think it is extremely valuable for white Americans to experience life as a minority.</p>
<p>I certainly want my d to fit in at BS but I really hope she does it by expanding her range of friendships and not just seeking out those who fit her demographic. I know from my son’s experience and general knowledge, that students tend to hang out with others like themselves. But if you throw them into a soup that’s a big mix they are more likely to create some new bonds. That’s what I want for my kids.</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, alooknac, that is just what happens. Once kids get to college, I think they can really start to segregate, but in boarding school, they’re thrown together in dorms, in sports, in small classes, and the diversity of views and backgrounds–and the discovery of the way they are the same–is all for the good. I can’t read this thread over without MLK’s “content of their character” ringing in my ears.</p>