At the Mandell School we aim to foster and develop an understanding and appreciation among students, teachers and parents of diversity. The socio-economic and ethnic composition of our nation's children is so diverse that many view this as a challenge for educators. We do not. At Mandell, we see diversity as an opportunity. A fundamental part of our philosophy is our belief that all children, regardless of their cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, can achieve high standards of learning and should be encouraged and mentored to do so. We also believe that it is our responsibility as educators to ensure that our children's educational environment accurately reflect the diversity of the world that we are preparing them to be proactive citizens of.

Individual differences in cultural or socio-economic background must not affect a child's right to nurturing and stimulating academic setting. The Mandell School feels that all children can benefit from exposure to a diverse learning environment and we encourage families from all backgrounds to apply. Our educational programs are designed to approach diversity as an asset that can be used in the preparation of our students for citizenship in an increasingly diverse society.

The learning opportunities that children encounter during their preschool years transmit not only knowledge and skills such as basic mathematics and reading, but also more subtle information about how knowledge is acquired and communicated. Knowledge, we believe, is distinctly social. The organization of our academic programs takes this idea and runs with it, offering multiple ways for your child to demonstrate their learning, to participate in classroom activities, and to work interactively with adults and other children. Small group instruction, for example, supplies your child with ample opportunity to participate and work directly with materials, and enable him/her to discover new ideas and concepts in the process of working with these materials. We also promote equal participation amongst our students. To achieve this, we allow them to choose how they wish to engage in learning activities. Some may need to observe others for a while before they are comfortable joining in; others may want to practice with the teacher before they begin to work with their classmates; and others may be most comfortable working in collaboration with peers from start to finish. Activities that encourage children to work directly with learning materials, in a hands-on fashion, provide them with maneuvering room for tailoring a task to their own unique styles and pace of learning.

The Mandell School believes a diverse learning environment is key to nurturing your child's individual development as well as instilling a sense of community with their peers, regardless of cultural background. We strive to teach all our students that knowledge comes in many forms, all of which we should be and are open to.