Black Pine Circle is committed to creating an inclusive learning community for all. Since 1973, BPC has been dedicated to serving ALL students and families regardless of their ability, age, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, race and religion. View our Mission Statementhttp://www.bpcweb.net/offical/mission.htmlshapeimage_4_link_0

  1. Current Statistical Information Regarding Diversity:

  2. •K-8 Total Enrollment: 238

  3. •Students of Color:  approximately 30%

  4. •Faculty and Administration of Color: approximately 20%

  5. •Zip Codes Represented: 32

  1. How Do We Embrace Diversity at Black Pine Circle School?

  1. •Diversity Committee was created in 1996 to address issues of inclusion and equality in education. The committee is made up of parents, faculty, administrators and board members of the school. The goals of the committee are far-reaching and include curriculum development, community partnerships and teacher training. The mission of BPC outreach is to create an inclusive community across class, race, family type and background. To this end, increasing diversity in our student body has been a main priority. The school conducts outreach to under-served populations through attendance at local fairs and open houses.  Parents also do their own outreach and network to link families across communities .  The Diversity Committee meets monthly to plan school-related and outreach events that support its stated mission. Additionally, the Committee sponsors two free school-wide events: BPC Family International Potluck and BPC Film Night. (see Events below) Please contact Renee Orozco and Myra Paci for more information.

Mission Statement of the Diversity Committee:


"The Black Pine Circle Diversity Committee works to support the mission of the school.  We believe that diversity promotes important values within our community and prepares students for citizenship in a pluralistic world.  In order to achieve continued academic excellence and sustain a vibrant educational environment, the Committee seeks to recognize and draw on the talents of a diverse background of faculty, staff and students, fostering the free expression and sharing of ideas, perspectives and beliefs that promote cultural understanding, tolerance and social justice.”


The Committee seeks to promote the diversity represented in the Bay Area in its student body by actively supporting the recruitment and retention of socio-economically disadvantaged and underrepresented minority students.  The Committee values and seeks the hiring and retention of teachers and staff of different racial, cultural and economic backgrounds, sexual orientation and disability status.  The Committee seeks to promote the thoughtful examination of cultural distinctions by supporting curricula that prepare students to be culturally competent members of society.

  1. •Faculty Inclusion Collaborative consists of a core group of faculty that formed to nurture and support inclusion on the Black Pine Circle campus. The focus of the collaborative is to identify, develop and sustain inclusionary curricula. Additionally, committee members help to assess and support the individual needs of BPC students of color. Membership is voluntary and consists of faculty from all levels of the school.  Faculty members attend local workshops and lectures as well as national conferences including the NAIS-PoCC and the Summer Diversity Institute. Please contact Faye Wu for more information.

  1. •Student of Color Affinity Group comes together to discuss issues relevant to identity, diversity, and inclusivity.  Together, students find ways to celebrate differences and similarities.  In the past, the student group organized school-wide cultural events and assemblies, and planned field trips to community cultural events and celebrations. Please contact Chris Chun for more information.

  1. •Community Partnership works toward developing our school as a resource for the community, and the community as a resource for BPC. We actively engage in community events and partner with community organizations, such as the Multicultural Institute, A Better Chance, Making Waves, POCIS (Bay Area People of Color in Independent School), and AsEA (Asian Educators Alliance). We currently host the after-school tutoring program, Mentoring for Academic Success, which in association with the Multicultural Institute and UC Berkeley provides tutoring for low-income under-served students of west Berkeley neighborhood.  The Director of the Multicultural Institute also serves as a BPC Board member. 

  1. •Families Receiving Financial Aid Assistance:  30%

  2. •Percentage increase in Financial Aid Awards Since 2005:  300%

  3. •Average Financial Aid Award: 35% of Tuition and Fees

  1. •Diversity Committee

  2. •Faculty Inclusion Collaborative

  3. •Student of Color Affinity Group

  4. •Community Partnership

  1. •Events: The Diversity Committee sponsors two events annually, the BPC Family International Potluck and Film Night. Both these events have become increasingly popular and well-attended by parents, students and faculty. Our International Potluck features ethnic and international cuisine prepared by BPC families and offers an opportunity for the BPC community to learn more about the diversity/inclusivity goals for the school. Guest presenters invited to this event have included popular Cuban jazz band Pellejo Seco, The Ballet Folklorico of Mexico and renowned storyteller, Anita Jones. Our Film Night is a chance for the school community to view and discuss films on multicultural themes and diversity issues. In the past, students and families have crafted original films, just for this occasion.  The Diversity Committee also supports and encourages affinity group meetings and actively participates in overall outreach for the school.

updated: September 2009