The Diversity Challenge was initiated by an anonymous donor who understood how racial, cultural and socio-economic diversity and gender balance in our classrooms supports the mission of the school and benefits the entire PDS community.
With a goal of increasing the level of diversity in the PDS student body to at least the national average for independent schools of our size, this donor offered to contribute $25,000 for need-based diversity scholarships if the PDS community could raise an additional $25,000 for this purpose.
Since its inception in 2003 through its culmination in 2010, the Diversity Challenge raised more than $370,000 and funded more than 110 need-based awards. It was the catalyst for achieving the objective of increasing the level of diversity in the PDS student body to between 20% and 25%. In addition, this effort made it possible for the school to attain the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) mean for students of color in 2006 and substantially meet or exceed this level ever since.
Diversity is a core value embodied in the school’s mission. PDS remains grateful to this anonymous donor for their vision, generosity and commitment to this core value of the school and to all who joined in helping to meet the Diversity Challenge through the years.
To learn more about philanthropic opportunities at Poughkeepsie Day School, contact Bryan Maloney, director of development, at 845-462-7600 ext. 113.