A diverse student body will likely have unique academic needs that must be addressed in order for students to succeed. Schools must be able to respond to language barriers, among other issues. If a school lies in a district with a large Hispanic population, for example, it may necessitate the hiring of bilingual teachers or at least devoting a a curriculum that reflects the needs of students who know little or no English. Aiming for an inclusive curriculum by devoting portions of history courses to teaching the history of African or Middle Eastern cultures, for example, is another way to incorporate a diverse student body.
Extracurricular activities are essential in promoting unity and teamwork among a diverse student body. Clubs of all kinds offer students from a variety of backgrounds the forum to engage in positive and constructive activities together. A student body with a significant population of Indian or Malaysian students, for example, could benefit from the addition of a club cricket team whereby they could help other students learn the game. School-sponsored service opportunities are another way a diverse student body can interact to not only build relationships but also to benefit the community.
Hosting a culture day dedicated to promoting all of the cultures that your student body represents is a great way for students to learn about the cultures that are around them every day. You should encourage students to wear the traditional dress of their cultures, as well as bring in foods, cultural artifacts, or family heirlooms that help define their respective cultures. Each culture can have a booth dedicated to explaining the history of that culture so that other students can learn more about them.
The members of a diverse student body need to know that they can contribute their thoughts and beliefs without fear of criticism from their peers and teachers. An open environment where teachers value the comments of their students helps show acceptance to other cultures and beliefs. Using small groups to interpret and evaluate what is being taught in the classroom is an effective way to incorporate a diverse student body into the curriculum.