OVERVIEW
Viewpoint is committed to enrolling an inclusive, multicultural student body. Our 1,215 students represent a rich variety of ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds, with 15 different languages spoken in the homes of our families, and students of color representing over 25 percent of the student body.

The Admission Office actively seeks students from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate a range of talents and interests, and who possess an intellectual curiosity, a high level of motivation, and an eagerness to become involved in our community. For the last two years, roughly 30% of the new entering students to Viewpoint are students of color.

PARTNERSHIPS
Viewpoint School is proud to be a member school of The Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs, which provides counsel and support to prospective families of color in the elementary and secondary independent school selection process.  The Admission Office also uses the resources available through organizations such as ABC (A Better Chance), Young Black Scholars, the ASSIST program, and the National Association of Independent Schools' Office of Diversity to create effective recruitment strategies to attract prospective students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS), which is available directly from Viewpoint or online at www.nais.org/financialaid/sss.

VSSA MULTICULTURAL COMMITTEE
The School and its students benefit tremendously from the dynamic parent leadership of the Multicultural Committee of the VSSA (Viewpoint’s parent association). The VSSA Multicultural Committee, which includes both parent and staff membership, recognizes, celebrates, and supports the cultural diversity of Viewpoint School, and strives to develop an understanding and appreciation of different cultures. The Committee sponsors activities designed to enrich our educational programs, enhance cultural awareness, foster ethnic diversity, and advocate for the successful recruitment and retention of historically underrepresented students.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
As part of Viewpoint's commitment to diversity, the School awards financial aid to families on the basis of economic need. The increased socioeconomic diversity of Viewpoint's families is a positive result of the School's strong financial aid program, wherein more than 12% of our students receive some form of assistance. Additional information can be found under the button to the left entitled, Affording Viewpoint.

MINORITY ADMISSION PROGRAM
In addition, in 1993, Viewpoint established the Minority Admission Program (MAP) to further increase the diversity of the student body. Click to view more details on MAP.

EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES
We believe that forming friendships with a multifaceted group of young people who present different personalities and perspectives enriches all students' lives. Extending beyond our own School community, each year, Viewpoint sponsors annual student exchange programs with schools in France, Spain, Germany, Russia, Japan, and China. Through immersion in these international cultures and their rich traditions, Viewpoint's students form meaningful cross-cultural friendships, improve their foreign language skills, and supplement their classroom learning in art, literature, history, and foreign language. In addition, students develop self-reliance and gain important perspective on their own heritage.

A PARTIAL LIST OF MULTICULTURAL CLASSES AND EVENTS AT VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

Ongoing Throughout the Year:
--Seventh and Eighth Grade Multicultural Art classes begin (electives for either first or second semester).
--Upper School AP World History and Comparative Government couses explore multicultural issues.
--Lower School Social Studies focuses on Native Americans.
--Seventh Grade Social Studies contains units for the year on Africa, the Middle East, China, India, Japan, and Latin America.
--Spanish IV, U.S. History, and Human Development courses in Upper School explore multicultural issues.
--Fourth Grade history and geography covers the essential question, "How did California become a multicultural state?"
--Upper School student Multicultural Club begins its weekly yearlong lunchtime meetings.
--VSSA Multicultural Committee Meetings begin for the year.

September
--Book display for Hispanic Heritage Month, Prinn Library.
--Lower School foreign language classes present for Primary and Lower School assemblies.
--Wild Africa, Primary and Lower School special assembly.
--Seventh Grade English studies Steinbeck's, The Pearl.
--Fifth Grade reads Theodore Taylor's, The Cay.

October
--Hispanic Heritage Month activities continue.
--Daily Bulletin announcements throughout the year explain the significance and importance of various holidays of major religions and cultures.
--Second Graders read and study Laotian folktales.

November
--Fifth Graders study Jerry Spinelli's, Maniac McGee and complete a decision-making unit on prejudice and courage.
--Thanksgiving and the role of Native Americans are discussed.

December
--Holiday assemblies and programs commemorate Christmas, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
--Second Graders read Navajo folktales.

January
--Futo Toro, a West African music and dance ensemble, performs for Middle and Upper School assemblies.
--Korean classical music and dance ensembles perform for Primary and Lower School assemblies.
--World Orchestra performs for Primary and Lower School assemblies.
--Chinese New Year celebrated throughout the school in classes and at assemblies.
--Multicultural Literature, a second-semester Upper School elective course, begins.
--Fifth Graders study Jane Yolen's, The Devil's Arithmetic.
--Sixth Grade Social Studies unit focuses on Israel and the Middle East.

February
--Foreign Language Week celebrations, performances, assemblies, and presentations for all Divisions of the School.
--Black History Month begins and includes special assemblies with outside performers and speakers for all Divisions of the School. Performance artist MilDred Gerestant performs for Middle and Upper School students.

March
--Women's History Month begins and includes library displays and special units in classes throughout the Divisions.
--Second Graders study Vietnamese folktales.
--Spanish classes recognize and commemorate Cesar Chavez Day.

April
--Jazz Tap Ensemble performs for Middle and Upper School Assemblies
--Earth Day celebrated throughout the Divisions of the School and features musical assemblies with instruments from around the world.

May
--Bobby Rodriguez Jazz Adventure performs for Middle and Upper School students.
--Rangataiketan, an East Indian dance and music ensemble, performs for Middle and Upper School assemblies.
--Primary School students perform for assembly in French.
--Seventh Graders celebrate the customs, traditions, and foods of their heritage at Heritage Day.