The Context

‍St. Michaels University School (SMUS), a leading Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 independent school located in Victoria, BC, is home to a vibrant and diverse student body. With the recognition of the importance of a safe, inclusive environment for all students, families, faculty, and admin staff, SMUS made an institutional commitment in 2021 to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).

As part of this work, SMUS engaged Dacia, founder of Foxfire Collective, to guide and support a sustained, multi-year journey through organizational learning, cultural transformation, and structural change. This ongoing partnership has spanned all levels of the school, from the Senior Leadership Team to educators, administrative staff, and students across the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools.

The Opportunity‍

From the outset, SMUS demonstrated a commitment to meaningful change rooted in learning. Rather than jumping to performative action, school leaders wanted to understand where they stood – and what change would require. Our approach began with an in-depth discovery process, surfacing the lived experiences, systemic gaps, and promising opportunities within the school’s culture and operations.

Together, we developed and launched an EDI Action Plan, grounded in the school’s values and framed around three strategic domains:

1. Leadership and Accountability
2. Teaching and Curriculum
3. School Culture and Environment

From there, we scaffolded implementation across all divisions through reflective planning sessions, professional development, inclusive practice reviews, and coaching. Each part of the school – Junior, Middle, and Senior – is supported with tailored approaches, while cross-divisional sessions strengthen shared understanding and momentum.

The work also extended to senior leadership, helping shape institutional strategy, governance conversations, and contributions to broader standards.

The Impact‍

Now in Year Three, SMUS is in a new phase of EDI work, defined by integration, reflection, and accountability. The EDI Action Plan is not a standalone document, but a living framework influencing hiring, curriculum design, professional development, and student engagement.

Key outcomes include:

• A three-year EDI Plan to guide ongoing work.
• A benchmarking and assessment process to track progress across key indicators.
• Division-specific planning sessions to support implementation and consistency across the Junior, Middle, and Senior schools.
• Contribution of EDI insights and progress to the school’s national accreditation body, affirming alignment with national standards.
• Ongoing staff learning and growth through customized professional development sessions, community events, and internal resource development.

This work continues to unfold through a deliberate balance of action and reflection, ensuring that EDI is not a checklist, but a sustained commitment woven into school culture and leadership.

The Foxfire Difference

‍What distinguishes this partnership is its depth and duration. Rather than “deliver a plan and walk away,” Foxfire Collective has remained a consistent, embedded partner in SMUS’s learning journey, evolving alongside the school’s needs. Our systems-oriented approach connects strategy to implementation, vision to metrics, and values to lived experience. The result is a school community equipped to recognize inequities, respond with courage, and cultivate an environment where every learner belongs.

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