We Strengthen Communities
Independent schools take an active role in their communities, encouraging children to contribute to the greater good.
Independent schools take an active role in their communities, encouraging children to contribute to the greater good.
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Bolles Community Helps Clean Up After Irma
Numerous students, parents, faculty, staff and administrators volunteered their time on September 12 to help clean falling branches and other debris on the San Jose, Whitehurst and Bartram Campuses in the wake of Hurricane Irma. The entire girls’ and boys’ boarding program joined the efforts along with day students and parents from various grade levels. […]
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The Girls' School of Austin Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Community Service Challenge
The 2017 – 2018 school year marks the 15th anniversary of The Girls’ School of Austin. To mark the occasion The Girls’ School of Austin launched a ’15 Years, 15 Hours’ challenge to their community. Students, teachers, and parents have each been challenged to complete fifteen hours of community service over the course of the […]
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Connecting with Nepalese Students
Grade 4 students worked with children in Early Childhood Program (ECP) classes today to create Dal Bhat, a staple food and national dish of Nepal. The dish is made from steamed rice and a cooked lentil soup. Students are also creating create food flash cards to send with two of our teachers who will travel […]
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Students at Woodland School in Portola Valley, CA Standup Against Bullying
Together, with their teachers, Woodland School students signed a pledge to be “upstanders,” not bystanders. When a local school experienced a bomb threat, they chose to stand up and speak out against this and other types of bullying. Will you join them?
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Long-Established Exchange Program Lets Students Explore Varied Cultures, Develop New Perspectives
Every spring for the last 20 years, Oak Hill School teacher Armando Morales escorts a group of 10-15 Spanish language students (grades 7-12) to his hometown of Guanajuato, Mexico, in the heart of the Sierra Madre. They’re welcomed into local families and, with their new Mexican brothers and sisters, go to the same middle school—Benito […]
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A Design Thinking Approach to Community Service
Students in Mrs. Diane Richards’ Intro to Design Thinking class are introduced to a five-step plan of creative problem-solving based on a human-centered approach. Last year, Mrs. Richards and students Michael Vanelli ‘19 and Maggie Pearson ’18 learned The Ricketts Center, the local Olivet boys’ and girls’ club, was not usually open on Saturdays due […]
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Eighth Grade Campaign Competition Brings Benefits to All
At Hillel, we believe in giving back to the community. Over the past few weeks, the eighth grade has dedicated hours of time to doing just that. Teachers Lauren Sterling and Shelby Wallach dreamed up a project that not only gives back to the community, but also teaches many essential Language Arts tools. Thus the […]
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Bringing Science to Life to Local Community Children through Interactive STEAM Days
As a high school for young men in grades 8th-12th, it’s not too often you see 50 first through eighth grade students running around Grand River Academy’s campus – let alone participating in academic lessons in on a Saturday morning! However, three times a year, these children from around the community join GRA faculty and […]
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Art and Service Collide at Kent School
Kent School is hosting an Empty Bowls event to benefit The Kent County Food Pantry. Empty Bowls is an international project to fight hunger, personalized by artists and art organizations on a community level. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Guests will enjoy a variety of homemade soups and breads […]
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Community Cubed: A Public Art Project Captures Big Ideas
For more than a week in October, a 12-foot-tall cube became a community canvas. Art classes painted on the walls. Middle Schoolers contributed squares for a mosaic. Faculty, parents, and visitors wrote their wishes on multicolored tags, which hung from the structure and fluttered in the breeze. Creativity, meaning, purpose, and community found expression here. […]
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Spring Break Experience Changes Perspectives, Fosters Civic Responsibility
A dozen or more high school students from Greenhills School annually forego a stereotypical spring break vacation of sunny beaches or snowy ski slopes, choosing to spend a week unplugged living in Detroit, learning about the city’s history and the challenges it faces, and engaging in community service projects. The Alternative Spring Break program reflects […]
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Global Partnerships Forge Deep Relationships, Shift World Views
Mark Day School uses a global lens to broaden horizons and deepen students’ educational experience. The school’s Global Partnership Program builds relationships with local and international schools and organizations; the program was founded on the idea of reciprocity—everyone involved has something to learn and something to teach. Last summer, 15 students in grades 1-8 and […]