• MYP Service Action and Community Service

    Both action (learning by doing and experiencing) and global engagement are central to IB philosophy and practice. Encouraging principled action is a key feature of the MYP and, when closely affiliated with sustained inquiry and critical reflection, it can result in students developing these attributes of the IB learner profile. Student action through service with others can take many forms.  Action can occur at the local or global level, individually or in groups, and take place over short or long time periods.  One of our most important goals is to empower students to participate in service within the community.

    Every student must complete independent service action each school year. Students should extend classroom learning into independent service action in an area of personal interest. While students are given a minimum number of hours as a starting point, the number of hours performed is secondary to the reflection and personal growth that results from service action.

    With appropriate guidance and support, MYP students should, through their engagement with service as action, achieve the following:

    • become more aware of their own strengths and areas for growth;
    • undertake challenges that develop new skills;
    • discuss, evaluate and plan student-initiated activities;
    • persevere in action;
    • work collaboratively with others; and
    • develop international-mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism and intercultural understanding consider the ethical implications of their actions.

    Community Service By Programme Year:

    Year 1 (6th grade) students will complete a minimum of 2 hours per quarter.

    Year 2 (7th grade) students will complete a minimum of 3 hours per quarter.

    Year 3 (8th grade) students will complete a minimum of 4 hours per quarter.

    8th Grade Community Service Project:

    In addition, 8th grade students are required to complete a Community Service Project.

    Upon completion of each service action experience, students must complete the “Service Action Documentation and Reflection” form and return it to the IB Coordinator. The reflection form and a list of service action ideas are available on our website.   Students not completing the designated service action hours will be ineligible to participate in quarterly celebrations and grade-level field trips. 

    Parent/Guardian Commitment

    The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program emphasizes the benefits of young people helping to improve their immediate community.  Parents/guardians play a key role in the educational process as well.  Below is a list of possible ways parents may volunteer to help a student become successful and support our school. * Students may not collect money as part of their community service.

    • Attending SAC or other school committees
    • Helping in the media center, front office or on field trip
    • Assisting with fundraisers, Renaissance, dances, or other social events
    • Supervising students while they volunteer at community events
    • Helping with school clean-up activities
    • Assisting with a special project such as Science or History Fair
    • Volunteering for our after-school clubs
    • Sharing talents or knowledge in the classrooms, designing a bulletin board
    • Helping with our school newsletter or yearbook
    • Translating for students or teachers