Urban Montessori is a K-8 charter free public school located in Oakland. Our school is based on the teachings of Maria Montessori, in combination with Design Thinking, and Arts Integration. We are actively creating a truly inclusive school community reflective of the racial and socioeconomic diversity of Oakland. We recognize that maintaining a respectful community where all students achieve, differences are valued, voices are heard, and power is shared requires constant dialogue and hard work; that we must create the safe spaces to openly check each others’ biases and assumptions, and talk openly about power and privilege, in order to model the society and community we wish our children to become part of.