PSV PROGRAMS
PILLAR 1: RACIAL SOCIALIZATION
Racial socialization prepares children for anticipatory experiences, builds cultural pride, and educates about racial inequalities. PSV provides opportunities for children to see more of themselves—children experiencing the same unique school dynamics, albeit perhaps at different schools—through myriad community activities and events. By providing opportunities to socialize or convene around a topic or activity of interest (e.g., college, hair, the n-word, arts, etc.), PSV helps parents know their children will be surrounded by a community of peers who understand their daily school experience while learning about what it means to be a person of color. These regular opportunities to gather, share resources, and provide education are priceless in the fight against isolation and in positively impacting self-esteem.
PreK-8th Grade Level Social Pods
Grade level social pods are parent led and grouped by grades. They meet at least 4-5 times a school year (if not more, depending on volunteer leadership). Clusters of pods enjoy activities to give children opportunities to connect while also building cultural pride and knowledge. Available in Los Angeles/Pasadena.
High School Leadership Program
The PSV High School Leadership Program has two core areas for Black high school students in grades 9 through 12. This includes: High School Executive Board and High School Student Ambassadors. These interconnected areas work to support, resource, and educate students across private schools by increasing racial socialization, building community pride, and identifying ways to help prepare students for anticipatory experiences when in predominantly white institutions. Includes the HS Sneaker Soiree, Black College tour and Alumni College Panel. Available in Los Angeles/Pasadena.
Community-Wide Annual Events
From the Back-to-School Picnic, the Parent2Parent Mix & Mingle, and PSV Honors to adult social gatherings, PSV creates important spaces that foster cultural pride, celebrate tradition, inform and empower stakeholders, and support a sense of belonging among the private school community. Available in select communities.
PILLAR 2: RACIAL LITERACY
Racial literacy is “a form of racial socialization and antiracist training” used to prepare and protect against racism. PSV works to help families understand how to identify, counter, and cope with racially stressful situations. A practical and intentional effort designed to prepare and empower students so that they can manage real-world racialized experiences in schools with confidence, PSV provides ongoing racial literacy education in an age-appropriate way. Through guest speakers, skill-building sessions, and turnkey practice, PSV strives to proactively educate and arm families, from the earliest moments of joining the private school community, so that they are protected and prepared to thrive despite racial situations that often arise.
Racial Literacy Skill Building Sessions
In partnership with credible organizations and experts, PSV provides opportunities for parents, students, and administrators to learn about racial literacy and build this powerful, life-long skill. Whether its hearing from experts or a more practical training sessions or classes such as the Black History from a Decolonized Perspective, PSV knows that racial literacy skills are essential to thriving in private schools. Select sessions are available virtually (nationwide).
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PILLAR 3: REPRESENTATION
In addition to the educational value of having differences in thought, culture, and experiences for all students, representation is especially important in school because children are forming their understanding of identity and self. In the absence of it, non-Black and Brown students formulate ideas from media and entertainment, which often portrays cultural stereotype. Black and Brown students most certainly hear the message that their culture, their heritage, is not as important as white culture and heritage simply because representation is low in every aspect of private school life. PSV works to increase representation by hosting special gatherings for prospective families to learn about the private school option and via our partial scholarship program for elementary-school aged low-income Black and Brown students.
Parent Ambassador Program
(Signature Program)
The PSV Parent Ambassador Program empowers parents to successfully partner and advocate for children, reinforces the pride and power of community building and support, and it highlights our shared belief in a strong family-school partnership which is optimal for student achievement. Available in Los Angeles/Pasadena, NorCal, Philadelphia.
The Village Scholarship
The Village Scholarship (TVS) is a partial scholarship for outstanding elementary school private school students from low-income households. The Village Scholarship provides direct financial assistance to families that identify as underserved or from an underrepresented community. Available in Los Angeles/Pasadena.
PILLAR 4: RESEARCH
PSV works to improve the understanding of Black and Brown families and students in private schools and supports and expands existing research initiatives that inform data around this unique experience. PSV periodically initiatives parent climate surveys to better understand Black and Brown families’ experiences in private schools. PSV hopes to measure progress over time, identify collaborative possibilities in the areas of greatest need, and educate parents and caregivers about the best ways to support their children through the experience. Information of interest is in the number of Black or Brown teachers a child has had, whether affinity spaces are offered and impactful, the number of Board of Trustees who are Black and Brown, how parents respond to microaggressions, the financial aid experience, and more.
Parent/Student Climate Surveys
PSV is continually interested in learning more about the private school community and will continue to regularly gauge needs, challenges, experiences and more through regular parent and student climate surveys. Available nationwide.
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Independent School Archival History Toolkit
In partnership with The Klingenstein Center at Columbia University's Teachers College and Author and Educator Dr. Michelle Purdy, the toolkit will provide independent schools with a framework to conduct archival and oral history research. In partnership with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and alumni, the framework will also help schools to organize and share their findings, engage their communities in dialogue, and incorporate new understandings into their school cultures and traditions. The toolkit piloted during the 2025-2026 school year with a small group of schools. Available nationwide.
Interlaced Across All Pillars: Somos PSV
Somos PSV
Somos PSV is a sub-community of support within Private School Village for Latinx/Hispanic private school families. In 2022, Latinx/Hispanic parents and administrators formed an advisory group to begin to bring the community together. Still in its early stages, Somos PSV hosts social gatherings and conversations centered around the needs of the community. Like PSV, Somos PSV started a parent ambassador program as its inaugural program. Available in Los Angeles/Pasadena.