Service-Learning

"Surely the end of all education is service to others." —Cesar E. Chavez

Reading a book to a child is service.

Studying art history is learning.

When high school art history students

• write stories about their favorite artist,
• illustrate their stories in the style of that artist,
• hand-bind their stories into books,
• read their books to young art students, and
• donate their books to the elementary school's art library,

that's service-learning.

Service-learning links classroom knowledge and skills with the care and concern students naturally have for their world. Students use what they are learning in class to address real-life community problems and needs.

Through investigation, planning, reflection, and youth-led action, students join with community partners to solve problems and make things better in their schools, their neighborhoods, and around the world.

In the process they master valuable 21st-century skills and global competencies.

Many MPS high schools offer courses that incorporate service-learning. Participating in a course that involves service-learning is one way high school students can meet the graduation requirement for online learning, service-learning, or community service.

MPS Service-Learning Experiences