Purchase Community Dinner Tickets Today!

News

Thaden Students Establish Students of Color Union (SoCu)
February 9, 2023

Affinity groups are designed to be safe spaces for students who share a common identity. Thaden’s Student of Color Union (SoCu) will provide the opportunity for students of color to discuss their individual experiences, learn about their culture, reflect on their own identity development, and build communities of support. Thaden’s Student of Color Union is facilitated by two senior leaders, Jayleen Almaraz and Jordan Stewart-Mitchell, as well as two supporting faculty members, Christian Cauthon and Haiyan Fan. Thaden’s Student of Color Union will increase our student’s sense of belonging by providing spaces for renewal, dialogue, reflection, and action.

Christian Cauthon Appointed Thaden DEIB Chair
February 2, 2023

Christian Cauthon has been appointed to chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee.

Honoring Bessie Coleman
January 27, 2023
Thaden School is proud to honor the legacy of Bessie Coleman (1892-1926), the first African American and Native American woman to hold a pilot’s license. Going forward, our main office and reception area in North Hall will be known as Coleman. “Queen Bess” was a pioneering barnstormer whose courage and commitment to civil rights opened the skies for Louise Thaden and many other aviators.
Thaden Honors MLK with Service Day (Good Day NWA)
January 17, 2023

As the country honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., so did the students at Thaden. Several students and families spent the day volunteering in a day of service. Projects included restoring, repairing, and building bikes with Pedal It Forward; lot cleanup, fence staining, stocking shelves, and dusting for Habitat for Humanity; and more.

Interfaith Panel
January 13, 2023

Our first Interfaith Panel for upper school students encouraged discussion about interfaith cooperation and how diversity is essential to the quality of a Thaden education.

National SEED Project
January 11, 2023

For the past four years, members of Thaden School's faculty and staff have participated in the National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), which "partners with schools, organizations, and communities to develop leaders who guide their peers in conversational communities to drive personal, organizational, and societal change toward social justice."

Student Diversity Leadership Conference 2022
December 4, 2022

Six Thaden School students, Susanna Kelly '24, Jordan Stewart-Mitchell '23, Joseph Chen '25, Ava Gibbs '25, Jayleen Almaraz '23, and Mattie Smith '24, attended the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) offering students opportunities to form allies, self-reflect, and build community.

Diversity in the Workplace Award 2022
October 13, 2022

We are proud to be recognized by Arkansas Money & Politics readers as a Diversity in the Workplace Award winner for 2022.

Diversity in the Workplace: Taking the Initiative
October 13, 2022

Thaden School is recognized by the Arkansas Money & Politics for embracing the diversity, equity and inclusion in the classroom influenced by its architectural design that encourages meaningful conversations between faculty and students.  

Ozarks At Large Kayla Corcoran Fulbright Interview (KUAF)
August 30, 2022

Kayla Corcoran, History and Social Sciences Academic Chair and Faculty at Thaden School, was awarded a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program award. Ozarks at Large asked her about the courses she's developed and taught dealing with immigration, conflict and global trade. 

Thaden School students organize charity events for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (KNWA)
January 17, 2022

Students at Thaden School in Bentonville helped lead two community service projects to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Students put on a winter weather clothing drive and made greeting cards for residents and staff at the Primrose Retirement Community and the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter.

Diversity in the Workplace Award 2021
September 13, 2021
We are proud to be recognized by Arkansas Money & Politics readers as a Diversity in the Workplace Award winner for 2021.
Lessons From Little Rock: Facing History to Shape Our Future with Dr. Melba Beals
February 25, 2021
On February 25, Thaden welcomed Dr. Melba Patillo Beals to speak and facilitate discussion on the power of young people to change ideas of race and identity. Dr. Beals is best known as one of the Little Rock Nine, the group who desegregated Central High School in Little Rock in 1957. This paved the way for desegregating schools across America after the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.
Student Diversity Leadership Conference
January 5, 2021
Thaden School students attended the annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Led by a diverse team of trained facilitators, SDLC helps high school leaders from across the country develop cross-cultural communication skills, design effective strategies for social justice practice, and learn the foundations of allyship.
People of Color Conference
December 14, 2020

Eddie S. Glaude, James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and Chair of the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University, was the opening general session speaker at the People of Color Conference (PoCC), hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), last week. Thaden School faculty joined 8,000 attendees from around the world gathered to “provide a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.”

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Task Force
December 10, 2020
Thaden School Visual and Performing Arts Academic Chair Ian Heung serves as a member of the city of Bentonville's DEI task force. Bus driver Michael Duden also serves as a DEI ambassador. In their roles, Ian and Michael help to promote an inclusive community that reflects the rich and diverse experiences and cultures in Bentonville.