Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Dalton Conference

To register for the 2025 Dalton Conference, please click here.

Launched in 2011, the Dalton Conference is a day-long, dynamic and interactive program to educate and train school leadership (administrators, alumni, diversity coordinators, faculty, heads of school, parents, students, trustees) to broaden and improve inclusion within the racial, religious, socioeconomic and sexually diverse communities of New York City’s independent schools. For most schools, it is the time each year when they can productively focus on conversations about issues of diversity and inclusion with representatives from all the constituencies at their school coupled with an opportunity to share both challenges and effective practices with peer schools.
 
The Conference is produced by Dalton’s Equity & Belonging Office and Pollyanna. A Planning Committee and approximately 60 Dalton administrators, alumni, faculty, parent, student, and trustee volunteers bring the day to life. Each year, we choose a focus that is topical and invite a special keynote speaker. 

For information about this year’s conference, please email daltonconference@dalton.org.

Topics & Speakers
  • 2011: Creating a Generation of Inclusive Thinkers and Community Leaders - Deborah Roberts
  • 2012: School Transitions: The K-8 Experience - Wes Moore
  • 2013: Shaping and Sustaining Safe Schools for the LGBTQ Community - Christine Quinn
  • 2014: Socioeconomics - Charles Blow
  • 2015: Race • Privilege • Community Building - Glenn Singleton
  • 2016: Intersectionality - Tricia Rose
  • 2017: Cultivating Racial Awareness and White Engagement - Ali Michael
  • 2018: Raising Empathy and Taking Action - Daniel Lubetzky
  • 2019: Implicit Bias - Jerry Kang
  • 2020: Reflect • Assess • Plan - Deborah Roberts
  • 2021: What Did We Learn? How Will We Continue to Move Forward? - Rodney Glasgow
  • 2022: Inclusion and Belonging - Charles Vogl
  • 2023: Examining Generational Trauma - Elizabeth Rosner and Jason Craige Harris
  • 2024: Building a Gender & Sexuality Affirming School - Schuyler Bailar - Schuyler Bailar

The Day
The Dalton Conference takes place annually at The Dalton School. Since its inception, many New York City independent schools have attended at least one Dalton Conference, with many returning year after year. The agenda for the day is as follows:
 
  • Welcome from our Head of School, Chief of Equity and a keynote address
  • Morning breakout discussion is by constituent group 
  • Lunch
  • Student panel
  • Afternoon breakout by School POD 
  • Reception
 
Impact
Conference reviews by participants have been outstanding, year after year. Attendees appreciate the structure of the day – the opportunity to meet with peers in the morning and their School POD in the afternoon; the emphasis on creating an Action Plan; the reality check of the student presentation, and the inspiration of the keynote speaker. 
 
Participating schools report changes both large and small following the Conference. They include:
  • Revised hiring guidelines
  • Developed inclusive health curriculum
  • Created LGBTQIA affinity groups 
  • Reviewed curriculum
  • Added Board DEI committee
  • Changed gender specific uniforms
(Grades K-3) 53 East 91st Street
New York, NY 10128
General: (212) 423-5200 | Admissions: (212) 423-5463
General: info@dalton.org | Admissions: fpadmissions@dalton.org

(Gr. 4 Dalton East & PE Center) 200 East 87th Street
New York, NY 10128
General: (212) 423-5200 | Admissions: (212) 423-5262
General: info@dalton.org | Admissions: admissionsmshs@dalton.org

(Grade 5-12) 108 East 89th Street
New York, NY 10128
General: (212) 423-5200 | Admissions: (212) 423-5262
General: info@dalton.org | Admissions: admissionsmshs@dalton.org