As an academically rigorous community where girls are valued and known, it is Linden Hall School's goal to provide an environment that fosters curious and independent leaders who are prepared to contribute as compassionate global citizens.

• Scholarly achievement
• Character development
• Cultural awareness
• Physical wellness

We hear you, and we stand with you. Linden Hall was founded on The Ground of Unity, a Moravian doctrine dating back to the 1400s which opposes any discrimination and is embracing of all. Our origins are accepting, inclusive, and celebrate diversity– including the empowerment and education of girls during a time when they had no voice. Today, 276 years later, we continue to deepen our understanding of access, inclusivity, and justice, staying true to our mission of educating women not just for school, but for life.

It is time for the Linden Hall Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and administration to reaffirm our commitment to diversity. Our community includes students from 28 countries and 15 states with a myriad of ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, rich in social and cultural platforms and traditions that provide an opportunity for emotional and intellectual growth within our school and the Lititz community. We are proud of our students, alumnae, and faculty who have chosen to stand up and speak out against racism. We cannot grow as a community if we give our energy only to the things that are comfortable and convenient. We all must do the hard work required to change society to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion; eliminate bias; and reject the status quo.

As a school, we are taking this time to examine and correct our own unconscious bias and create a space where our students, faculty, and alumnae feel heard, safe, and valued. In keeping with transparency, here are some action-oriented steps Linden Hall will take now and into the future:

• Formed a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Task Force that is comprised of Board Members, Teachers, Staff, Administrators, Parents, Students and Alumnae. Our DEI Task Force is charged with advancing conversations about diversity at Linden Hall and ensuring our students’ differences are celebrated and are inclusive of our founding principles.
• Reexamine our hiring process and policy to attract employees who reflect the rich diversity of our student body.
• Recognize, produce, and incorporate more inclusive content on our social media and website platforms that are consistent with our mission and the diverse faces of Linden Hall.
• Further embed anti-racist education and community engagement as a part of our commitment to recognize and counteract systemic racism.
• Revisit our vendor policy and include use of local, black-owned businesses and other minority owned businesses in Lancaster County as priority partners of Linden Hall.
• Provide open and safe spaces that nurture and educate our students to use their voice, to be heard, and to honor their individuality.
• Seek diverse speakers as a part of our speaker workshop series, to address race relations, gender equality, cultural sensitivity, socioeconomic equity, domestic violence awareness, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ rights.

We recognize this is just the beginning of our journey together. But we are listening, we are learning, and we will continue our commitment to diversity knowing no boundaries, in the spirit of our Moravian roots.

Linden Hall School for Girls admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, religion, handicap or disability, and any person who uses a guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, handicap or disability, or on the basis of using a guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic and other policies and programs.

Impetus for the creation of this philosophy: In a 2019 Town Hall held with Linden Hall faculty, the Board was asked about their views on spirituality at the school and the requirement for the girls to participate weekly in chapel. Some of the faculty came from a viewpoint of having no faith belief and expressed that requiring chapel was impinging on the rights to those who may not have a spiritual life or who may have a faith belief other than Christianity.

History:

“…[The Moravian Church was] founded, under the leadership of Gregory the Patriarch, with a three-fold ideal of faith, fellowship, and freedom, and a strong emphasis on practical Christian life rather than on doctrinal thought or church tradition….

Thus today the [Moravian Church], which has asserted throughout its history that Christian fellowship recognizes no barrier of nation or race, is still an international Unity with congregations in many parts of the world.

The [Moravian Church] cherishes its unity as a valuable treasure entrusted to it by the Lord. It stands for the oneness of all [humankind] given by the reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Therefore, the ecumenical movement is of its very lifeblood. For five centuries it has pointed towards the unity of the scattered children of God that they may become one in their Lord.” (Book of Order, Moravian Church Northern Province)

On the occasion of Linden Hall’s 250^th anniversary, the following was written: “The Moravian ideals of education are deeply rooted in the church’s history and have been at the heart of Linden Hall since its founding in 1746. From the earliest Moravian settlers to the more modern educators who have led Linden Hall into the twenty-first century, this heritage has been a valuable resource.” The article acknowledges that “during the last half of the 20^th Century, there were some loosening of the ties with the church [primarily concerning the appointment of Trustees and their responsibilities], and although Linden Hall cannot be considered a parochial school, the relationship between the Moravian Church and Linden Hall has been renewed and enhanced.” The article concludes with this thought: “This is a legacy that cannot, and will not, be forgotten.” (1208 Book of Order Moravian Church Northern Province)

LINDEN HALL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 

An Act to Incorporate Linden Hall Seminary at Lititz, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

            Section 2. That  the  Trustees  already  appointed,  or  who  shall  hereafter  be  appointed,  in accordance with the fundamental statutes which govern the Church of the United Brethren  aforesaid, shall  have the care and management of the said School and its estates and properties, and shall  have power  to  make  all needful bylaws and regulations for the appointment of  competent  Professors  and teachers,  for   the  fixing  and payment of all salaries, for the fixing of prices  of  board  and  tuition  of students,  for  the  studies  and  exercises of the students, and for the  general  well-being  of  the  said School;  provided,  that  the said statutes, bylaws and regulations shall not  be  inconsistent  with  the Constitution and Laws of this Commonwealth or of the United States, or the enactments of the Synods of the said Church of the United Brethren.

Board of Trustees Philosophy:

As an incorporated entity of the Moravian Church, Northern Province, Linden Hall has, as part of its legacy, the obligation to provide for the encouragement of the spiritual growth of its students consistent with the Moravian Church’s three-fold ideal of faith, fellowship, and freedom. In addition to the emphasis on those ideals within the school’s courses of study and extracurricular activities, Linden hall requires attendance at a weekly chapel gathering in order to encourage reflection on the individual’s spiritual life and/or religious preferences while gaining a greater appreciation for Linden Hall’s diverse community and the world as a whole through a wide variety of formats, presentations and lectures relating to different spiritual and religious practices, or lack thereof.

Chapel is an experience that is intended to feel welcoming, safe, respectful and supportive. It is a time to encourage ethical practice and moral development; to support students from all traditions in their spiritual formation, practice and search for meaning and to foster multi-faith dialogue. It is a place for reflection where all expressions are honored and cultivated and the physical, mental and emotional health of all are supported and nurtured.

Linden Hall’s philosophy holds true to the Moravian ideals and honors the core of their conviction:

In essentials, unity;

In nonessentials, liberty;

And in all things, love.