In June 2020, shortly after George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white police officer who pinned Mr. Floyd’s neck under his knee, setting off protests across the country, school leaders wrote to the community about their approach.

“St. John’s, as an institution, must be antiracist and eliminate racism of any type — including institutional racism — within our school community and beyond,” wrote Mark Desjardins, then the school’s headmaster, and John Moody, the chairman of the board of trustees.

A statement on community and inclusion, approved by the board in 2018, says the school ensures “cultural intelligence and proficiency” for all community members. It also incorporates “cultural proficiency, diversity, global awareness and inclusivity into all facets” of the curriculum.