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Dr. Jacqueline Arce |
Service Learning
Service Sits At The Very Heart Of The Middle School Experience
At Worcester Academy, service learning is a vital part of the Middle School curriculum that changes the way students see themselves and their place in the world.
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Service Is Different Here
Our students don’t volunteer, they engage in meaningful, ongoing exchanges with our local community partners. They learn first and foremost that, to make a real difference, they must understand the genuine needs of the people and communities they are servicing. By identifying how they can add real value, they cultivate true partnerships.
Through this uncommon approach, our students are empowered to drive the process in a way that is mutually beneficial. As a result, they discover their capabilities, gain real-world skills, and witness the rewards of their service first-hand.
Our Program
Global goals, local action
Service learning at Worcester Academy is based on the United Nations’ 17 globally-targeted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serve as the springboard from which students create meaningful service partnerships with local Worcester organizations. Their work could take many forms, such as advocacy within the Worcester Academy community, hands-on projects like building wildlife habitats, drives for resources, or even development of digital marketing materials.
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The service program kicks off with our Launch Day Assembly, where students research and select their SDGs of interest, which are then used to match them with their service group for the year. During Service Day, students engage in inspiring workshops, meet their community partner, and learn about types of service like advocacy, volunteerism, action, and social entrepreneurship. They also learn how to conduct a needs assessment and how to avoid saviorism in service. Students collaborate with their partner organizations 1-2 times a month to develop and implement service plans, fostering sustained and ongoing partnerships with local organizations. Some choose to work with the same organization for all three of their Middle School years, allowing them to develop deep connections and witness the direct, sustained outcomes of their service. Throughout their work, students gather feedback, reflect on outcomes, suggest improvements, and acquire skills in monitoring progress and addressing unforeseen challenges. They share these assessments as part of their student portfolio presentation to peers and parents at the end of the year. |
Building Real-World Skills
Going beyond fundraising, students submit grant proposals to our Middle School director that outline and justify expenditures. If approved, they are given the funding to execute on their endeavors, learning valuable real-world skills in the process. They also develop citizenship, cultural sensitivity, and a deeper understanding of our commitment to equity and inclusion.
Spotlight: Why Me
The Why Me organization houses families while their children are undergoing cancer treatment. Worcester students discovered that what these uprooted families really needed was better access to their new city. Utilizing their knowledge of Worcester, online research skills, creativity, and tech savvy, students revamped the organization’s decades-old guide, giving families an updated insider’s take on all that our city has to offer.
Spotlight: EcoTarium
The EcoTarium science museum wanted to make their experience more inclusive for neurodiverse individuals but didn’t have the budget to hire a consultant. With the help of Worcester Academy’s learning specialist, our students curated sensory packs so that neurodiverse children could enjoy their museum experience with more ease.
