Dalton School's "obsessive" focus on race and diversity draws national scrutiny

In December 2020, faculty members at Dalton School issued an eight-page manifesto with 24 “anti-racist” demands. Many of the Dalton School’s “anti-racism” initiatives appear to have been designed and implemented by Pollyanna, a diversity consulting firm; these programs led to parent concern over the divisiveness of the programs.

On January 28, 2021, a group of concerned parents sent an open letter to the Dalton Community regarding the school’s “anti-racism curriculum,” with classes with an “obsessive” focus on race and diversity, “racist cop” reenactments in science, “de-centering whiteness” in art class, learning about white supremacy and sexuality in health class, “wildly age-inappropriate” issues, according to the parents.

On Friday, February 26, 2021, the Dalton School announced that Domonic Rollins, the school’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, would be leaving the school.