Community & Belonging
Our Vision
We believe that a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just community is vital to our mission of developing courageous leaders who shape their world for the better. Realizing this vision requires that we commit to developing intercultural understanding, promoting equitable access and social justice, and strengthening our restorative practices.
Collaborating across cultures and languages is a way of life at AIS.
Our Work
Our AIS founders sought to create a private school based on the principles of inclusion and internationalism that offers a diverse international community, language immersion programs, and an exceptional education program.
We continue their vision to build a community of belonging through the empowerment of our community to recognize and value diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
As an International Baccalaureate World School, we seek to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
We are committed to these values and they are central to our mission of developing courageous leaders who shape the world for the better.
We aspire to create a school climate and culture where every member of our community is genuinely seen, heard, treated fairly and protected.
We will continually take action to ensure this environment in our school, for all the races, nationalities and cultures we are honored to welcome.
Intentional Inclusivity
We are honored that our school resides in the heart of Atlanta - the center of the Civil Rights Movement and home to many of its leaders of the time.
Our student body represents the diversity of our nation and our world, with almost half of our families hailing from various international locations. It is important that we acknowledge and celebrate our local, national and international identities.
Buckhead Local History
Atlanta International School recognizes that what is now Buckhead was once the thriving African American community of Macedonia Park which began in the late 1800s.
The area was informally renamed from Macedonia to Bagley by the members of the community to honor William Bagley, a local grocery store owner who became the neighborhood's community leader of the 400 families that settled there. Through discriminatory and racist practices, this community was eradicated by 1952.
At AIS we seek to honor the existence of the Bagley community and the legacy of William Bagley through the education of our community.
Guided Initiatives
-
Community & Belonging Workshops
-
Restorative Practices Workshops
-
Intercultural Development Inventory Workshops
-
Student Affinity Groups
-
Faculty Affinity-based Groups
-
Community Cultural Commemoration & Celebration Events
-
Community Building Circles
-
Day Trip to Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery
-
Local Off-campus Experiential Learning Opportunities
-
Parent Organization Programs
-
People of Color Conference