Community Service at Seven Hills School

We wish to promote a value of service to the community, which will last throughout the lives of our students.  At Seven Hills School, we ask our students to become aware of whom they are within the wider community and find ways to make the community better.  In addition, we are working towards the nurturing of the idea that “community” includes any and all things we have in common as people; that strong community benefits everyone, and helping to create it offers great individual reward and satisfaction.  Each student is required to complete 10 hours of community service per academic year, yet most average over 20.  This is a part of the graduation requirement.

The emphasis in our program will be projects and activities that are student generated, address student concerns, and give students the tools necessary to take action when a need is perceived in the community.  Advisors will give the students guidance and support, brainstorm ideas, and offer suggestions.  Advisory groups will use time to help students think through their ideas, and process their experiences.  We will also organize several group activities and projects during the year.

Last year the Middle School students put in over 2601 hours of volunteer community service.  Nearly 62 different organizations benefited from the commitment of our students.  These were all student inspired, student organized and student run projects.  Our students observed needs in their community and designed ways to remedy it.  The organizations ranged from UNICEF, Heifer International, the American/International Red Cross, Save the Children Fund, and Books For the Barrios, to smaller organizations such as the Battered Women’s Alliance and the Alexander Lindsay Museum.  The Seven Hills Middle School was named outstanding service organization by Loaves and Fishes for the third year in a row.  In addition, our students worked to clean up beaches and local trails, volunteered as tutors, and provided companionship at retirement and convalescent hospitals.  Lastly, our students wrote letters to government and business leaders advocating a change or action.  For a complete list of the organizations helped by our Middle School, please check the Community Service bulletin board in Hunt Hall.

At the conclusion of three years in the Middle School, the student will have a portfolio of their work that has been completed in the community.  This will be a tangible record of accomplishment, as well as an impressive testimony to the all around character of the student.

If you have any additional questions about Community Service, please contact your child’s advisor.  Thank you in advance for all of your positive support to this worthwhile program.

Scott Espinosa-Brown