We’re counting down to RIISEMV19 Events! In anticipation of the first of two – Building Boarding School Networks on August 12 (join us), we checked in with one of our thought-leader panelists, Susan Mantilla-Goin at Fay School in Southborough, CT, located about 90 miles from the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard!

RIISE: Susan, how long have you been at Fay?
SMG: I have worked at Fay School for 5 years. I am the Senior Associate Director of Admission & Director of Financial Aid.

RIISE: What do you enjoy the most?
SMG: I really enjoy interviewing prospective students and helping them explore Fay. I love that I get to watch and support enrolled students as they explore new opportunities and talents.

RIISE: What makes Fay unique?
SMG: As a junior boarding school, middle school is a time where students are often developing a greater awareness of what’s happening in the world and how that affects them. Helping students find their voice, develop self-advocacy skills, and understanding of the value and importance of diversity, empathy, and engagement is important to me.

RIISE: We’re curious about what aspects of the boarding school experience you believe students will benefit from the most?
SMG: Our alumni often share that they felt known and valued for their individual contributions to our community. Fay students come from over 25 countries, 15 states, and 40 towns in Massachusetts. Our students benefit from being part of a global community and certainly learned or improved time management and organizational skills, discovered new interests as well. These skills serve them well in secondary school, college, and life. However, being part of a connected community at Fay is what gives them the confidence to step out of their comfort zone.

As a junior boarding school, we know that middle school students benefit from structure and support as they navigate the increased independence when they live away from home. Learning to manage their time, self-advocate, and live in a truly multicultural community in middle school better prepares them for even more independence they will have in high school and college.

RISE: Okay, so let’s talk about the biggest misconception folx have about the boarding school experience.
SMG: I think some parents worry that they won’t have a voice in their child’s schooling if a student goes to boarding school. That could not be farther from the truth – schools partner with parents. At Fay, we send weekly updates on Fridays, the academic advisor and dorm parents have regular communication with parents and student can bring cell phones for use during specified times during the week and most of the weekend. Boarding schools tend to have few random days off. Instead, boarding schools build in longer breaks so that students can have extended time at home and our teachers can still do all-school professional development.

RIISE: Let’s flip that last question and ask what’s the most important thing families should consider?
SMG: When exploring schools, focus on the fit. Explore different kinds of schools – size, geographic location, coed and single-gender schools, etc. – you will find that each school has a different feel and culture. Don’t worry about the cost of the school while exploring your options. Boarding schools are looking for students who are the best fit for their academic, extracurricular, and residential program from all socio-economic backgrounds. Boarding schools have a lot to offer your child and family AND your child and family will enrich the school community as well.

RIISE: How are students of color supported after gaining access to Fay? How do they have voice and visibility?
SMG: Hear from a parent of a recent Fay graduate.
SMG: Hear from a recent Fay graduate.

RIISE: We’re so excited about RIISEMV19 events, and having Fay join families at our Building Boarding School Networks on 8.12. What comes to mind when you think about the Vineyard?
SMG: Sun, sand, and community are the first things that come to mind when I think of the Vineyard. Oaks Bluff and the Vineyard’s history within the Black community is something I have read a lot about but have not had the privilege of experiencing first hand. This will actually be my first trip to the Vineyard and I look forward to getting a glimpse of what makes MV so special.

At RIISE’s Building Boarding School Networks events, I am eager to share all that boarding schools and Fay School, in particular, can offer to 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade students. I hope to learn from families what they are looking for in a school community and share what I learn with the Fay School community.

RIISE: Finally, what books will you be reading on the beach?
SMG: All Fay faculty are reading Range: Why Generalist Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein. I am also reading Leaving Maggie Hope by Anthony S. Abbott and Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beales with my 12-year old son.

On the Vineyard?
RSVP! 
8.12 – Building Boarding School Networks
Edgartown Public Library
Martha’s Vineyard

This weekend, I was inspired to respond to a distressing post I was tagged in. For me, it brought the past thirteen years in community with an independent school altogether as would the last piece of a complicated yet beautiful puzzle.

The parent’s heart-breaking post described an all too familiar experience about leaving or staying. It was about pulling black and brown students out of schools when painful and clearly racist incidents occur.

The hope of the person writing the post was to be able to identify schools doing the work  (like a list), where racism couldn’t show it’s ugly face. And, if it did leadership and the community would deal with it intentionally and swiftly.

As a highly-engaged POC (parent of color) with a lifestyle network focused on independent school culture and us, I am conscious of how both of these roles offer me insights, a clearer perspective on a few things, like,

*why I’m so insistent on pursuing this type of education for my kids & others in spite of the complexities racially and socio-economically
*and, how I believe families of color can beat the odds and really thrive in these rigorously challenging environments while making it better for those who follow

I’ve often wondered if “a list” can genuinely and accurately identify the culture of educational spaces as free from the opportunity of racial trauma, at any given point in time. Will ranking schools as doing all the right or wrong things protect our kids?

Or do we need a blueprint? Could a playbook and toolkit better serve us for the ‘Not If, But When‘ scenario in institutions that are centered in whiteness?

What should a playbook and toolkit take into consideration?

1. We belong – many of our ancestors built powerful cultural legacies against all reason, and with sweat equity and their lives, drove the capital to create our most elite institutions. I was reminded a long time ago how to walk in white spaces -like I already earned a seat at the table. Are we prepared to pull up, find networks, show up, and take our place?

2. Equity is elusive – historical, institutional, and systemic inequities are baked into the culture, community, and curriculum of most educational spaces, independent schools notwithstanding. How do we stay, thrive, and disrupt for the better?

3. The price of this ticket – most of us buy into a school’s prestige and college acceptance list (notice I did not say rate-not an issue here). The school’s mission, vision, seal, and strategic plan is the promissory note. Yet, the costs are high tuition, and if we’re honest, social and emotional instability. Do we know how to mitigate these costs for our family and practice wellness as we secure what we’re paying for?

4. Activism is not accidental – students of color have been successfully pushing back. Mandatory anti-bias training is a must for faculty & admin. And, as parents, we have to leverage our capacity to affect change too. It can be futile to jump from one inherently white supremacist space to another, to what we hope is greener grass, without advocating for what is necessary where we are.

I wonder if we recognize the power of our individual voice & visibility? Are we willing to challenge parent peers to get uncomfortable and engage beyond their privilege?
And if we choose this journey, is making emotional wellness a top-priority a sign of weakness or a strategy for success?

What I do know is that at all times, we must be vigilant when it comes to how and where and by who our kids are educated.

As my husband likes to say, ‘keep your head on a swivel’.

No matter the school, what they say, or what others say about it, most are inherently challenged to become just, diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Do we stick it out, or do we bail out? Perhaps, the cost of admission should also include showing the ‘beloved’ to itself while we’re getting what it is we came for.

When it comes to straight-up racist acts, unconscious or conscious bias, and even those hard to put your finger on micro-aggressions:
1. disrupt it and call it out immediately -you’re not tripping.
2. find allies -no time for detractors.
3. quickly document and address it with leadership.
3. ask for what it is you need and follow up.
4. and, when necessary, repeat.

I realize too that some outcomes are untenable, and leaving is the only option.

But, if you’ve taken the time to build relationships with school leadership and other stakeholders in the community from day one, please utilize these to challenge & encourage schools communities to live up to their missions and goals to become better than when we arrived. In tough times families and schools can grow stronger. I am a witness.

Your RIISE Blueprint | Playbook | Toolkit arrives this fall. Perfect for families who want to thrive and lead.

Ever wondered what elevates an independent school education?

What does curriculum look like? How rigorous is it? What enrichment opportunities exist?

How culturally competent is it? Is it a good fit for your family?

Resources In Independent School Education [RIISE], is thrilled to be back with Mocha Moms Brooklyn on May 8, leading a panel of experts addressing your questions about independent school education.

RSVP today & join us. We’d love to see you in Brooklyn on Wednesday, May 8th, 6:30-8:30p

Tip of the day…spring ahead of the fall’s independent school application, now.

Thirteen years later, I regard my experience as a passionate tug of war between privilege and oppression. I grapple with this persistent binary as a parent of children of color in an independent school, and in my work, I am passionate about.

As a parent advocate and school advisor, I am often responding to questions like how do we get in and how do families of color navigate independent school communities? (FACT: On Saturday, 4.27, we’ll discuss both in Harlem at the RIISE Parent Power Conference – join us! (https://riiseppc19.eventbrite.com)

As a parent of two indy school students, very few moments have been wasted leveraging the resources this type of education has to offer while at the same time, showing up and standing up for my kids and other scholars of color in communities where they are among the numerical minority. My family is in the home stretch now, with our first headed off to college this fall, and we’re ecstatic -one down, one to go and there is still much more work to do to make sure other families are afforded the same educational opportunities.

My activism was an unexpected outcome of enrolling in an independent school. Yet, I along with others -parents, students, educators, and administrators are using our agency to make good schools better and answerable to their noble mission and vision.

It has been our students though who’ve been at the forefront of building alliances for social change at the same time shining academically. With plenty of grit & resilience to spare they are thinking critically and arguing persuasively about what they expect to learn and experience in predominantly white spaces. They are not waiting for us or their schools to get right as they guide us toward the future. This is why we are thrilled to be kicking off our 7th #RIISEPPC19 with our students of color who will tell their own stories as young scholars and activists.

Ever wonder how parents of color navigate and thrive too? Oh, you didn’t know? Regardless of how busy we may be, showing up is not an option for parents of color at a public, charter, and especially at independent schools where social and financial investments are expected. The overall success of our students of color is dependent upon us. And, this is why at the conference parent leaders will speak directly to other parents who are considering or already enrolled and present their powers of engagement, advocacy, and agency partnering with school communities.

If you’re applying this or next year, it’s time to vault ahead accessing educational rigor & resources. And guess what? There will be a parent workshop for that also called, Admission plus Cost. Then meet amazingly diverse independent schools – pK-12, K-9, middle school, day, boarding and early learning too! There’s something for everyone at #RIISEPPC19 -register and bring a friend. We will access academic rigor and empower school communities together.

Can’t make it? Not in the NYC area? We’re giving quick parent consults during May –link to sign up! (https://calendly.com/4riise/riise-creating-roadmap-25min )

RSVP TODAY | JOIN US | TELL A FRIEND!

11:00 Conference Welcome

11:10 SHINING – Student of Color Panel

11:50 Parent Power Workshops (concurrent)

I Admission plus Cost

II How We Thrive in Indy Schools

1:00 Independent School Recruitment Fair

3:00 Conference Close

Participating Schools
check back for updates…
Riverdale Country School, Horace Mann School, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Greenwich Academy, The Buckley School, The Town School, Browning, Pine Street School, The Brick Church School, Westover School*, Fay School*, Avenues, Léman Manhattan School, The Workshop Independent…

*boarding schools

**Sponsor – Riverdale Country School

Welcome Families & those passionate about educating students of color,

Monday 8.12, 11a-2p, Boarding School Networks On The Vineyard @Edgartown Library
Register: https://riiseboarding.eventbrite.com – FREE

New England is home to more than seventy boarding schools. How many do you pass on your way to the Vineyard?

If you’re thinking deeply about ‘a good education’ for your child, then you need to look no further than the 6th annual RIISE Martha’s Vineyard Events in August. Particularly, if you have or know a student of color.

On August 12, we’ll be Building Boarding School Networks On The Vineyard!

Join a very particular discussion with students, parents, and decision-makers from

Westover School, The Fay School, & Cambridge School of Weston.

Questions we’ll ask and explore:
What are the benefits of a boarding school education?

What makes a boarding school education so unique? And, how do students of color thrive there?

How does this particular private school experience prepare our kids for college success and beyond?

RSVP now for this free event at riiseboarding.eventbrite.com

Tuesday, 8.13, 12:00p-3:30pRIISE Brunch & Beach @Winnetu Oceanside Resort
RSVP: https://riisebrunchbeach.eventbrite.com – Free 18/under, $125/adult 

The expectation is that investing in ‘a good education’ will guarantee our next generation economic mobility and social respectability.

With even fewer guarantees, many of us are more than willing to take the risk and bet on selective k-12 college prep schools and institutions of higher learning. The outcomes are students who think critically, are innovative, collaborative, and can create positive change in communities.

But what are the real costs of ‘a good education’ and how do we ensure our children will win and don’t become over-burdened with debt doing so?

How do we make sure students of color have the social and emotional support and professional networks to successfully navigate predominantly white institutions and industry understanding their cultural capital – who they are, whom they come from, and where they are headed?

On Tuesday, August 13, we return to the beautiful Winnetu Resort and South Beach with a dynamic group of industry, legacy wealth, and educational thought-leaders who will dive-in and consider with us the present-day virtues are of ‘a good education’, the stakes involved with it, and how to thrive, not just survive.

Industry thought-leader, Richelle Parham, will lead the discussion with contributions from legacy wealth thought-leader, Dr. Pamela Jolly and educational thought-leader Trina Gary, along with Elon Collins – Riverdale ’19 & Brown ’23.

There will be plenty of food for thought, the soul, the body, and a ton of fun for the whole family!

We encourage you to join us for ‘critical conversations by the sea’ and empower yourself with valuable considerations that will impact educating future generations. Come and enjoy a wonderful Vineyard Summer brunch while expanding your networks and meeting some new faces.

RSVP for this event at, brunchbeach.eventbrite.com 

**Accommodations: 10% discount at Winnetu Oceanside Resort when you mention RIISE MV Events.

We are honored to be part of the inaugural issue of DiversityIS! Read more here.

RIISE knows the critical role parents play in the overall success of our children of color in schools. Our independent schools offer tremendous opportunities to excel yet present real challenges with equity, inclusion, and diversity. Public and charter schools struggle too. We don’t have to wait for our schools to get it right. We can partner with them now! Parents who engage, advocate, and have agency are ensuring that our pK-12, children of color experience overall emotional, social, and academic success.

How do parent engagement, advocacy, and agency look? RIISE has the blueprint, playbook, and toolkit to thrive, not just survive. We are here to support families and schools along the journey. Let’s talk about that!  You can reach us at info@4RIISE.org,

The Civil Rights Museum – Birmingham, Alabama

Over 50 years ago, Chief Justice, Thurgood Marshall delivered the opinion of the Court with Brown v. Board of Education, stating “We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. . .”

To this day, racial balance is not reflected in public education. In fact, the classroom is as segregated as ever. Putting ‘private independent’ in front of ‘school’ further exaggerates the socioeconomic and racial divide in education.

Recently, I had the privilege of chaperoning a civil rights and service learning school trip to Birmingham & Montgomery, AL. At the Civil Rights Museum, I was confronted with the historical and the contemporary, staring at replicas of two separate and distinctly unequal classrooms – a white classroom circa 1953 and a black classroom circa 1953. The tale of two classrooms really isn’t a tale at all.

Which classroom did I choose for my kids?

I chose one separate and unequal space, private independent (predominantly white) over another, public (mainly black and brown). This self-awareness came with not only self-critique but also self-affirmation.

Why had I made this choice? It’s simple: Exceptional education and resources.

How do I reconcile putting my kids in such a racially unbalanced space? I do it through high parent engagement and advocacy which gives me the agency to create partnerships in my school community that cultivate equitable and inclusive communities.

I have little faith that the racial imbalance in our systems of education will change over the next fifty years. Whether we choose public, charter, private or private independent, the overall success of our children is ultimately dependent on how we show up as parents. We must intentionally show up for our kids in powerful ways that remind them where they are, who they are, who they come from. We must teach them to engage, advocate, have agency, and of course, contribute back to communities that look like them.

Perhaps, our kids will be the generation bold and resourced enough to create classrooms that reflect diversity all the way around.