Service Learning
- How do we live in relation to each other?
- How can I contribute to the community?
- How can I help others?
Overview
Because a WIS goal is to prepare students for a life of active, responsible world citizenship, community service is a key part of the curriculum. Students engage in numerous and wide-ranging service endeavors from fundraising activities for the younger students to environmental efforts in the middle grades, to involvement with local and international service agencies worldwide by those in Grades 11 and 12. Through these efforts, students gain insight into the problems faced by others less fortunate and the satisfaction of knowing they may have made a difference.
Primary School
In the Primary School, all-division activities include a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF coin drive and the sale of bracelets for fundraising Room to Read. In addition, students have raised monies for disaster relief (tsunami). Individual grade activities include bulb and tree planting on the campus and in the community, organizing recycling drives, raising monies for an adopt-a-rainforest program (Rainforest Alliance), visiting sick children at Georgetown University Hospital, and participation in the Jump Rope for Heart activities, organized by the American Heart Association.
Middle School
In the Middle School, students raise monies for disaster relief (tsunami), UNICEF, and the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. They also participate in a Rock Creek clean up and an environmentally friendly car wash in connection with their science curriculum on the health and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay water system. Eighth graders undertake a special advisory unit on hunger—local, national, and international—and work at the Capital Area Foodbank.
Upper School
Students are required to perform a minimum of 80 hours of service in Grades 9 through 12. Upper School placements range from the Coalition to Stop Handgun Violence to Georgetown Hospital to individual ESL and academic tutoring and other volunteering throughout the greater Washington metropolitan area and internationally. The Class of 2005 performed more than 5,122 hours of service both locally and internationally, 84% completing more than the requirement.