For decades, private and independent schools have been perceived as elitist and unattainable. And these perceptions haven’t always been inaccurate.
Private schools, like many colleges and universities, predominantly admitted white male students who came from wealthy and privileged backgrounds. Even today, the majority of students enrolled in private schools in the United States are white.
Santa Barbara is home to about 40 private and independent schools, including Laguna Blanca School and Providence School. Both institutions are working to create a more inclusive and diverse environment for students in the areas of race, socio-economic status and learning abilities.
“It’s part of our outreach to recruit students from all parts of Santa Barbara, which lends itself to a diversity of students,” said Joyce Balak, director of financial aid at Laguna Blanca School.
In terms of ethnicity and socio-economic status, 29 percent of students at Laguna Blanca are students of color. Of the students receiving financial aid, 39 percent are of color.
Providence School has 66 percent Caucasian students, 15 percent Hispanic, 15 percent other, 2 percent Asian and 2 percent black. Overall, 24 percent of Providence students come from low-income families, as defined by the Housing and Urban Development Department for a family of four.
“I think because we offer tuition assistance, it’s within the realm of possibility of anyone to attend,” said Elaine Rottman, director of strategic relations at Providence School. “We do have a good amount of diversity.”
Independent schools are also trying to create an inclusive environment for students who require a more advanced curriculum and those with learning disabilities.
The schools offer Advanced Placement college courses for high school students and other opportunities to take courses at the college level.
Both schools also have specialized staff on campus to help students who are struggling academically, socially or emotionally. These specialists support students in organizing their time or materials, as well as with exam stress and anxiety.
Academic specialists work closely with students who have special needs — including those with an Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan, according to Rottman.
“We pride ourselves on ensuring that we meet students where they are,” Balak said.
Neither Laguna Blanca nor Providence are able to fully accommodate students with disabilities. Rottman said it is not within Providence’s budget to provide a designated aide for each student who needs one, and Balak said Laguna Blanca’s hilly Hope Ranch campus is not great for a student with physical disabilities.
Laguna Blanca does have several students who are visually impaired, however.
Both schools offer a variety of extracurriculars and elective classes, including courses on digital media and design, music and theater, engineering, computer programming, filmmaking and journalism. Students can also initiate a campus club if they’d like to try something new.
The schools also have international student programs through which students from around the world can come to study in Santa Barbara.
While access to private and higher education still remains, in many cases, for the privileged few, Laguna Blanca and Providence’s goal of a more inclusive and diverse learning environment is a step in the right direction.
Diversity in a learning environment can make students more intelligent and more prepared to enter the adult world, according to The Century Foundation, a New York City think tank.
“There’s a lot of research that shows the benefits of learning in a diverse community and how it broadens the outlook overall,” Balak said. “(Students) become better global citizens.”
— Noozhawk contributing writer Maura Fox can be reached at news@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, and connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.