Service Learning

Our service learning program begins in kindergarten, where students learn how to be supportive and productive members of a class community. As they grow older, students take on more responsibilities within their classroom and their school, learn to care for shared spaces, and empathize with people of different perspectives. Finally, students venture out of the classroom and into the community to work on service projects that support people and places throughout the Baltimore region.

School Service

Before students conduct service activities in their local community, students first learn how to work as a team in service of their school community. Students in grades four through eight work on multi-grade cleaning teams, led by an eighth grader, to keep the cafeteria clean after each lunch period. Students learn first-hand how to lead by example, balance their teammates wants and needs, and the impact their actions have on other members of their community. Students naturally develop greater conscientiousness, patience, and empathy as they work together in the spirit of community care.

Community Service

Students in grades seven and eight make regular trips to Paul’s Place community resource center, where they greet guests, serve meals, wipe down tables, sort donations, and assist guests in selecting donated items. Twice a year, seventh and eighth grade students also organize a donation drive for Paul’s Place to collect the most needed clothing items from the school community. Students and families in all grades participate by providing the items to be donated. In addition, students in kindergarten through grade eight spend at least one morning per year working collaboratively with their buddies to create bagged lunches with hand-written notes to be distributed by eighth graders at Paul’s Place. Our comprehensive, K–8, community-wide support for Paul’s Place helps students understand the power of relationships to foster lasting change and uplift our entire community.