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We believe that children from different ethnicities bring a lot to the table when it comes to education. For example, one of my kids' classmates is Mexican. She speaks fluent Spanish and English. She actually interprets for her parents (who speak no English). I think my kids stand to learn a lot from her over the next few years. She brings very unique experiences into a classroom setting, and I think that really benefits everyone. For example, she can help my kids with Spanish in a way that someone who does not speak Spanish as a first language cannot. She's also a bit of an inspiration in that she is fulfilling a dream that her parents must have had when they set out for our country. Plus, if my kids are lucky to be her friends, they'll get to experience a little bit of a different culture, and so will my wife and I.
Another example... One of my other son's friends is from Iran. Both my eldest sons went to this kid's birthday party. I got to go to their home and meet his folks. They served Iranian food. They were very hospitable, too. I learned later that this is a very Persian thing. Hospitality is a big big deal to them. That kid brings a very different view of life with him that is informed by his culture and his religion. If my kids are lucky enough to be friends with him, their minds cannot help but expand.
Contrast this to a system where everybody is pretty much exactly the same. Yes, you'll learn the same math and english and all that, but I would submit that (all other things being equal) the child from the diverse student body will have gotten a better education. Their view of the world will be different - probably more broad.
I admit it's an intangible kind of thing, but from my own experiences, I think it is important.
