Service Learning

The St. Mary's Service Learning programs foster the development of an intrinsic mindset in each student to connect and engage with communities, locally or globally.  As students identify and work to address a given community’s needs, they grow socially and spiritually, and develop strong leadership skills.

Through instruction and guidance in the classroom, Preschool through Grade Five teachers provide the initial introduction for students’ connectivity and related responsibility to their community. Teachers actively connect curriculum with community projects in order to provide a meaningful and relevant learning experience for all students.  Through role modeling from teachers and other members of the community, students will learn concrete examples of the processes involved in creating, planning, promoting, and executing a project or service.

Service Learning provides for the transfer of ownership in developing community projects from teacher to student.  In Middle School, Grade Six through Eight students are capable of taking complete ownership of their learning as they develop all aspects of a project, from inception to completion, with support and guidance from their advisor over the course of the Middle School experience.  This process allows St. Mary’s students to boost academic achievement, foster a commitment to civic involvement, develop personal and social skills needed for the global work environment, and apply knowledge of content and curriculum.

Through Service Learning, all of our students are given opportunities to use practical skills associated with higher order thinking such as analysis, synthesis, and critical thinking while developing character traits and leadership skills.  Service Learning is an effective way of promoting higher levels of learning while simultaneously linking students’ academic and career goals with service to the community.  The immediate result of the program is student interest and ownership, while the long-term effect is an increased level of citizenship, self-worth, character and leadership traits in the students.

St. Mary’s commitment to our Service Learning programs allows students the opportunity to create a meaningful representation of their complete education while positively affecting the community and developing essential life skills.