Back
Share

JTD and The Independent School Alliance

By Kate Merritt and Kate Dworkoski
Since its founding in 1985, The Independent School Alliance has been a champion of educational equity in Southern California, focused on recruiting, educating, counseling, and advocating for families from racially underrepresented and economically under-resourced communities. The John Thomas Dye School shares a long, collaborative history with the Alliance that began when the School’s former head, Ray Michaud, spearheaded the creation of the organization and worked with other Los Angeles independent schools to ensure its success. Today, The Alliance has over 50 member schools and has served over 4,500 students in its four decade history.
JTD continues to support the work of this organization, which has become integral to the Los Angeles independent school community. JTD Head of School, Rose Helm, is an active member of the Alliance’s Board of Trustees serving alongside several JTD current and past parents. 

At its annual Impact Awards held each Spring, The Independent School Alliance presents a graduating Senior with the Ray Michaud Memorial Scholarship Award. “Each year, I have the great privilege of celebrating a graduate of the Alliance who has demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding leadership, and community impact with the Ray Michaud Award, named in honor of my predecessor and dear friend," shares Ms. Helm. "Ray was one of the founding members of the Alliance and his visionary support for how independent schools can advocate for families from underrepresented and under-resourced communities continues to inspire my work as a Head of School.”

Each year, a cohort of JTD Faculty and Staff attend The Alliance's Impact Awards–which can be a moving experience. “Attending the Impact Awards with my colleagues was truly heartwarming," says JTD Kindergarten teacher Julia Guy. "Seeing so many people come together to celebrate the achievements of Students of Colors in Independent Schools brought me to tears. It is an uplifting evening that makes me proud to be an educator at JTD."

More information about The Independent School Alliance, including how you can get involved, can be found on The Independent School Alliance website.

Start a discussion!

No comments have been posted

Recent Spotlights

List of 6 news stories.

VIEW MORE

The John Thomas Dye School


11414 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 476-2811
The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.

Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.