NAIS Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM)

The Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) has been a flagship tool at NAIS for nearly two decades. It is a unique opportunity for independent schools to hear from their communities (including students, teachers, administrators, and trustees) and gain a deeper understanding of the climate of inclusivity on campus. Through guided support from NAIS and the option to choose from a suite of different packages, the AIM process is tailored to suit the needs of your institution's strategic equity goals. 

Open and Close Dates for the 2023-2024 School Year

• Participation shell w/ open and close date
• School logo
• Optional additional demographic questions

Important Dates:

Due to office holiday closures and the NAIS People of Color Conference, we will pause all AIM trainings, Online Climate Survey launches, AIM Online Climate Survey preview links, and final reports during the following dates: November 13, 2023-January 9, 2024.

We will resume launching surveys on January 16. Schools will receive their preview link on January 9. Please note that you must have all required materials submitted (see list above) by January 2 to launch on January 16.

Please reach out to the NAIS Equity and Justice Team at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Why Use AIM?

In many organizations, the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion are viewed as intangibles—
good things to have, to do, and to profess, but not necessarily the grounds for structured processes and accountability. The quantitative and qualitative data gleaned from AIM can convert your thoughts and ideas into tangible goals and attainable benchmarks along the way. 

The evaluation can help shine a light on your school's current climate of inclusivity and take a deep dive into topics including:

• Progress in meeting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals
• Success in existing diversity and multicultural programs and initiatives
• Your school's current level of inclusivity as perceived by multiple constituencies
• Areas of need, whether in curriculum, infrastructure, governance, or services
• Engagement processes that illuminate patterns, multiple perspectives, and opportunities for improvement

The AIM Online Climate Survey engages your community in a confidential analysis designed to elicit feedback on school climate and culture. Again, members of all constituent groups are given access to the online survey, and upon completion, the school receives summarized results. These results come in an easy-to-digest format the school can put to use in strategic planning and in follow-up training and programming. 
 

Choices That Work for Your School

AIM is a tremendously beneficial tool for helping schools do what they do best—create vibrant, engaging learning communities that elicit peak achievement and performance from all involved. 
Schools have the following options:

• Package I: Online Climate Survey and School Self-Assessment
• Package II: Online Climate Survey
• Package III: School Self-Assessment
• Optional: Younger Student Climate Survey

Steps for AIM Process

1. Appoint an AIM Site Coordinator for your school who serves as the primary point person during the duration of the AIM process.
2. Complete the AIM registration form (must be signed by the Head of School).
3. Upon confirmation of purchase, you will receive a welcome letter from NAIS to your school’s AIM Site Coordinator via email within two weeks. It will include the following:
   • AIM User’s Manual
   • AIM School Self-Assessment Guide
   • AIM Online Climate Survey Participation Rate Shell
   • AIM Climate Survey Constituent Category Definitions
4. The AIM Site Coordinator and other designees will take part in training via online video conference or pre-recorded webinar in preparing you to implement the processes and tools.
5. Submit AIM Online Climate Survey Participation Rate Shell and school logo in .jpeg format to [email protected] for your preview link to be built out.
6. Once AIM Site Coordinator and other designees review preview link, coordinator then will send written approval to receive the published link.
7. Once your survey windows have closed, NAIS will send your school’s Online Climate Survey Report. 
8. If the school as opted to complete the self-assessment, you will conduct focus groups called “Discovery Committees.” Your AIM Site Coordinator and other designees will facilitate logistics for the completion of Discovery Committees.
9. With the AIM data, the (the internal School Self-Assessment Report and/or Online Climate Survey Report) in hand, the AIM Site Coordinator and other designees can compile a Final Report.

Resources

• Talking with Your Community About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work