The Webb Schools
Diversity & Inclusion
The Webb Schools’ pledge to diversity and inclusion was crafted as a collaborative effort with students, members of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff as a vital element of our collective Mission. Our pledge commits our community to developing meaningful relationships based on respect and consideration for one another. We consider how our words and actions may affect others as well as reflect on ourselves. As a diverse community, we aim to foster an environment that genuinely encourages expressions of differing ideas and values.
Our pledge: The Webb Schools are committed to fostering an inclusive school community characterized by openness, acceptance and empathy, where all members are valued, respected and supported. Our community is strengthened by the diverse views, beliefs, backgrounds and experiences of our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Embracing diversity in all its many forms is essential to our mission: in particular, our call to provide an exemplary learning community that nurtures future leaders who will act with honor and moral courage, and serve with a generous spirit.
Global Education
Located in Claremont, California and on the front porch of Los Angeles in the Pacific Rim, Webb is a vibrant, global learning community with students from 10 states and 14 countries. We believe diversity and inclusion are important values that strengthen our school inside the classroom and out. Our two-school educational program highlights and explores these values in such areas as gender identity, community involvement and student leadership — and also within our faculty-designed curriculum, particularly in the humanities, arts and sciences and elsewhere. In addition, outside of our core programs students participate in both student-led and faculty-initiated activities supporting diversity and inclusion. And finally, Webb believes in supporting students who are developing their own sense of spirituality. Webb provides a robust, multi-faith chapel program, as well as supports individual students in their own religious practice.
Student Engagement
Students sponsor a variety of clubs and affinity groups and participate in conferences to foster diversity and inclusion, including: NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, Independent School Gender Project, Black Student Union, Chinese Club, Empowering Student Voices Initiative, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hispanic Culture Club, Interfaith Dove Chapel Illumination, Indian Culture Club, Japanese Club, Jewish Club, LGBTQ+ and Allies Club, Multicultural Awareness & Pluralism Club and Young Feminists.
Student activism in the area of diversity and inclusion has included participation in local and regional rallies and marches, the addition of rainbow Pride flag and Transgender flags in Price Dining Hall, and more.
The student body at The Webb Schools is composed of more than 60% students of color, making it one of the most diverse boarding schools in America.
Faculty & Staff Voices
In addition to designing the curriculum and residential life program to support this important work, faculty and staff also participate in a number of conferences and activities in this area, including: NAIS People of Color Leadership Conference, National Coalition of Girls Schools, International Boys’ Schools Coalition and ongoing work is underway to best support transgender members of our community. It is also the goal of the schools and its hiring managers to increase ethnic, racial, cultural and gender balance on campus. With this in mind, Webb has entered into a partnership with Nemnet to increase its capacity to attract, hire, develop and support faculty and staff from underrepresented groups. Webb is also a member of Southern California People of Color in Independent Schools, or SoCal POCIS.
Alumni Engagement
As a result of being a global learning community for nearly 100 years, Webb has a diverse alumni body of 4,600 in all 49 states and 46 countries around the world. There are also a variety of affinity groups sponsored by the Alumni Council, including the Women of Webb, Latinos of Webb and others. Visit the Alumni Page
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is committed to increasing all aspects of diversity and inclusion on campus. Under its leadership, gender equity in senior teaching and non-teaching roles on campus has dramatically increased over the last five years. Supporting the Head of Schools on the Senior Administrative Team are four women and four men. As part of this work, it is increasing the ethnic, racial and cultural membership of the board, while also increasing gender balance in all areas of governance. Learn About the Board of Trustees
The Affiliates
The Affiliates is the parent organization at Webb whose purpose is to further the interests of Webb and the Alf Museum. This vital organization promotes fellowship among members and assists the schools and museum as needed for special events, athletic and arts programs as well as many other programs. The Affiliates has launched an affinity group for parents among other initiatives aimed at boosting diversity, equity and inclusion in the Webb community. Learn more about the Affiliates.
Admission Office
Webb offers more than 30% of students over $5.5 million in need-based financial aid and our Admission Office partners with the following organizations to admit and enroll a diverse and inclusive student body:
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
The Webb Schools are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and do not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, pregnancy, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, gender/identity/expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Learn About Employment
Southern California Diversity Recruitment Fair
Research shows that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment is critical to student success and a marker of educational excellence. One crucial component in creating such an environment is having a diverse faculty and staff that reflect the beautiful mosaic of students we teach. As such, Webb plays a key role in organizing and supporting the Southern California Diversity Recruiting Fair, which draws more than 50 independent schools in Los Angeles.
The fifth annual Southern California Recruiting Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 4, 2023. The event will be a hybrid, allowing educators to connect across the nation or attend in person.
To participate, individuals must register by Feb. 17, 2023. Click here to register.
Our Team
John joined Webb in 2018 as a member of the science faculty. He also dedicated himself to providing students with opportunities to engage with topics involving identity, equity and justice.
That commitment was recognized with his appointment in September 2020 to the role of coordinator of diversity, equity & inclusion and in spring 2021 to the post of director of equity.
John holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Education from Northwestern University.
John is the parent of two Webb students.
Gretel Barsotti joined Webb in fall 2022 as Webb’s first assistant director of equity. Gretel has a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology with a minor in Latino Studies from Cornell University and is currently pursuing an MBA from Western Governor’s University. Gretel possesses experience in advancement and admission outreach and as well as experience in the classroom as a Latinx literature and culture instructor at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, where she was instrumental in the DEI programming. Gretel also serves as advisor to Latinos Unidos, Webb’s Latinx affinity group .
Dr. Ardina Greco holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interdisciplinary art from the San Francisco Art Institute and an Ed.D. from Teachers College at Columbia University. She also has served as head of Jones Dormitory since 2015 and is currently co-head of Jones. Ardina also serves as Webb’s Mixed-Race Affinity Group advisor.
Malick Mbengue holds a Bachelor of Arts in modern languages from the University of Dakar in Senegal and a Master of Arts in French from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He is active across campus, including his work as a soccer coach and support for the Empowering Student Voices Initiative and Black Student Union. Malick also serves as dorm head for Holt and Kirkhill dormitories.
Anthony Flucker holds a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from Humboldt State University. He teaches Fundamentals of Composition in Webb’s Humanities Department and New Media & Communication in Webb’s Fine Arts Department. He also coaches football and track & field.