At Browning, we believe that a boy finds purpose by pursuing an understanding of himself, others, and the world around him.
Equitable Practices and Social Impact (EPSI) is not a program but a through-line. EPSI runs through our academics, our co-curricular life, and our social impact work, and it intends to point each boy toward a life of meaning.
School is a venue for productive struggle: a boy grows by staying curious about who he is, about the people beside him, and about the world he will help shape. That curiosity is the engine. Our study of mathematics, literature, history, science, language, art, and technology presents challenges to feed that curiosity in an environment that is broadly diverse and deeply caring.
Our teachers, staff, and administrators get to know each boy and each family by name and by story. Our practice of targeted universalism holds the bar high for every boy while recognizing that each path has its own twists, turns, and hurdles.
Boys do their best work when they are seen, known, and loved. That sense of belonging is what lets a boy take an intellectual risks, recover from a setback, and stand up for someone else. It is what carries him forward, during his years at Browning and long after he emerges from the Red Doors.
Promoting Cultural Competency
Student Leadership. Boys from all backgrounds are encouraged to create and sustain spaces for meaningful engagement. This includes participation in school government, with opportunities to serve as a class representative or lead the entire student council; interest-driven clubs such as Political Discussions and our Riley’s Way chapter; identity-focused organizations such as the Muslim affinity group, the Jewish Culture Club, the Black Student Union, and more. Student leadership is mentored and supported by faculty and by Browning alumni, and it has a meaningful impact on the student experience.
Cultural Exchange. Browning is made richer by the willingness of our students and families to share their stories and customs with the broader community and to learn about others’. From our annual World Celebration fair to our parent-organized gatherings for Eid, Hanukkah, Diwali, Lunar New Year, and more, the Browning boy is sure to experience windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors from Lower School through Upper School years.
Giving Back. Each year, Browning is excited to maintain our existing relationships with social impact partners and also to expand our growing list. Browning boys and families have combatted food insecurity with Grassroots Grocery, New York Common Food Pantry, God’s Love We Deliver; they’ve shown up for newcoming neighbors through volunteering at the Little Shop of Kindness; they’ve learned together with and shared space with friends in the disabled community through Daniel’s Music Foundation and The Manhattan Childrens Center. Students regularly hold drives to collect clothing, food items, and toys; they raise money and awareness for causes global and domestic; they find connections between their curriculum and the ongoing challenges in the real world.
Get Involved!
While equitable practices and social impact are essential aspects of every department at Browning, the EPSI office is home to Naledi Sean Semela, Chief Equitable Practices Officer, and Chon Smith, Director of Equitable Practices and Social Impact. They set direction, connect the dots across divisions, and support the teachers, families, and students who carry the work day to day.