Pace Academy Announces Partnership with the Center for Civil and Human Rights

Pace Academy faculty and staff visited the Center for Civil and Human Rights on Dec. 15. The visit marked the launch of a partnership between the school and The Center. Credit: Pace Academy

Staff Report

As part of Pace Academy’s mission to create prepared, confident citizens of the world, the school has joined forces with the Center for Civil and Human Rights, a relationship that marks The Center’s first affiliate partnership.

The Center opened in downtown Atlanta in June of 2014 and connects the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s Global Human Rights Movements. Through engaging exhibitions and programming, it strives to “empower people to take the protection of every human’s rights personally,” a mission that resonates with Pace Academy’s core value of “respect for others and their unique ideas and beliefs.”

The multi-year agreement will create a collaborative environment between The Center and Pace Academy’s faculty, staff and students, providing opportunities in the areas of education, special programming, customized experiences and professional development.

“Pace Academy and The Center share a deep commitment to fostering a love of learning, promoting innovation and attaining high standards of achievement,” says Pace Academy Director of Diversity Rick Holifield. “This partnership will support the goals of our Diversity Action Plan by nurturing multicultural teaching, multicultural curriculum, and cultural dexterity for our faculty and students. I look forward to building a close working relationship that is sure to benefit both organizations.”

Specifically, the partnership will include frequent, age-appropriate visits to The Center for Pace Academy students, as well as admissions and membership discounts for Pace Academy families. Pace Academy teachers will participate in The Center’s professional development programs, and students and alumni may apply for Pace Academy internships within The Center’s Interpretation Department. In addition, The Center will assist Pace Academy faculty with curriculum development, and the school will benefit from The Center’s ties to individuals and organizations on the forefront of civil and human rights debates.

On Dec. 15, Holifield, Head of School Fred Assaf, members of the school’s administration, and Lower, Middle, and Upper School faculty and staff visited The Center to kick off the partnership and learn more about the many resources available to them as a result of the relationship.

“The Center strives to educate and inspire future generations so that they may go on to be the next change agents of our society,” says Doug Shipman, CEO of The Center. “We are thrilled to join in partnership with Pace Academy to help empower the next generation of civic leaders and human rights defenders in the fight for equality for all people.”

The partnership reinforces Pace Academy’s commitment to diversity and supports its Diversity Action Plan, which fosters a supportive, inclusive, and equitable school community through teaching and learning; faculty and staff recruitment; admissions practices; school culture; and community outreach. The partnership also enhances Pace Academy’s Isdell Center for Global Leadership, a collaborative, cross-divisional program that ensures a well-rounded global education for every graduate. Learn more at www.paceacademy.org/icgl.