“Diversity Is Something We Live” Says Superintendent Arnold

Niche, a website that helps parents discover schools and neighborhoods that are right for them, has named Culver City’s School District the fourth most diverse district in the nation.

We know and live the diversity of our schools and community,” said Superintendent. Josh Arnold. “But how are we really able to understand just how our diversity stacks up in comparison to other districts and contexts across the region, the state, and country?”

Dr. Arnold said that “at a minimum, the ranking affirms the value we place on our differences and the beauty of our teaching and learning experiences together.”

Using a wide array of statistics, Niche’s Most Diverse School Districts rankings are based on rigorous analysis of demographic and student life data from the U.S. Dept. of Education along with millions of reviews from students and parents.

The rankings assessed 7,719 public school districts across the country using a student racial diversity index, parent and student surveys on culture and diversity, gender diversity and more.

Key District numbers:

• 51 percent are male, 49 percent female.
• 6 percent of students are Hispanic,
• 1 percent white,
• 1 percent African-American,
• 2 percent Asian,
• 4 percent multi-racial,
• 4 percent Pacific Islander and
• 3 percent Native American.

The School District has always celebrated its diversity. Culver City was first in the nation to create a Spanish Immersion program. It was among the first to create a Japanese Immersion program.

Culver City High School offers a slew of student clubs and organizations that celebrate diversity, including the Asian Student Union, Black Student Union, Intercultural Student Union, Latinos Unidos, Korean Culture Club, Multi-Ethnic Club, Muslim Student Assn., and others.

“Here’s the thing about diversity,” Dr. Arnold said. “You can’t really teach it. You just have to live it.

“Being diverse is a responsibility we take seriously.”