The Clayton School District will roll out new anti-hate programming from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), including mandatory antisemitism training for all staff and the adoption of the No Place for Hate® initiative at two of its schools.

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, Wydown Middle School and Clayton High School will join the national No Place for Hate® network, a school-based program aimed at improving school climate and promoting inclusion. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the district to address identity-based bias and hate.

In May, two juveniles were taken into custody in connection with a vandalism incident at Glenridge Elementary School, located at 7447 Wellington Way in Clayton, where antisemitic and racist graffiti was discovered, according to the Clayton Police Department. The graffiti, which included antisemitic and racist symbols, was not visible from nearby streets, police said. While the exact content of the graffiti was not disclosed, the Clayton School District condemned the act in a letter to families and staff at the time, emphasizing the district’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and respect.

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The required staff training at Clayton will focus on understanding Jewish identity and antisemitism, and will be integrated into the district’s HR compliance program. Educators and staff will be trained to recognize and respond to incidents of bias, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive school environment.

The ADL reports that antisemitic incidents in K-12 schools have risen significantly in recent years, prompting a growing number of districts to take preventative steps. Clayton officials say the initiative marks an important step in equipping staff to respond effectively to these challenges.

“This approach pairs student education with professional development for staff,” said Jordan Kadosh, regional director of ADL Heartland. “It’s designed to build lasting change within school communities.”

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District officials say they plan to expand the training in the coming years to include other forms of bias and identity-based hate.

Clayton School District serves about 2,700 students across seven schools.

No Place for Hate® is used in schools across the U.S., with participating campuses often reporting improvements in school climate and a reduction in bias-related incidents, according to ADL.