Upper School
Upper School
Service learning is a powerful and important part of students’ education at Lakeside Upper School. The program enables students to respond to real needs in the community while cultivating compassion, developing a sense of social justice, and engaging in meaningful self-reflection. Each Upper School student must complete 80 hours of service through the program to graduate (or 20 hours for each year of attendance).
The strength of the Service Learning program comes from deep and sustaining partnerships between Lakeside and community organizations. Each partner offers students the opportunity to engage in direct, on-site engagement with that partner’s mission, focused on systemic problems such as structural inequality and environmental issues. A variety of service opportunities allow students to cultivate relationships with partner organizations while intentionally going outside of their comfort zones to meet new people, try new things, learn from community leaders, practice humility and empathy, and reflect on what they’ve learned.
For more information, see our Service Learning page.
Student Voices
When volunteering for Lifelong, it was the weekly, two-minute encounters that leave the greatest impact. There was a mutual connection established with the predictability of the service. The people we delivered meals to relied on us for food and social interaction, while we looked forward to checking in on them. It is amazing the depth of connection you can develop with someone who you see for two minutes per week. – Jennifer F. '24
Middle School
Middle School
Lakeside’s Service Learning Program seeks to develop the desire and ability to give back to one’s community. Through service learning, students come to understand that we all can learn from each other; that it is never too early to have an impact; and that the common good is everyone’s responsibility.
Middle School service learning is conducted in grade-level groups, four times a year. Specific projects may shift from year to year, but they all involve active learning, benefit the community, and culminate in meaningful, guided reflections. Students work side-by-side with their teachers, which promotes a sense of shared purpose and community. Learn more on the Service Learning page.
