St. Stephen’s service learning program encourages students to serve the vulnerable and underserved in meaningful and concrete ways, and to internalize the school’s mission to develop a “…spirit of service so that each of our students lives a life of meaning and enriches the world.”
We believe that developing a “spirit of service” is most effectively approached through education, service and reflection. Through service learning students work with marginalized human and animal populations, and vulnerable areas of the environment within a student’s local, national or international community. Service to others strengthens both the character and worldview of each student that not only empowers students to make a substantial difference immediately, but also equips them to effect positive change in the longer term.
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Middle School students participate in service learning through curricular projects that occur during the academic day. Working in advisory groups, classes, and clubs, students learn about societal issues including homelessness, global poverty, issues facing animals, isolation and vulnerability among elders, food insecurity, and the ecological crisis. They have the opportunity to respond to these issues in age-appropriate ways. Eighth graders participate in a service learning capstone for middle school experience where they have the opportunity to take a deeper dive into a societal issue and engage in meaningful service and reflection with their classmates.
Upper School students are required to complete a minimum of ten hours of service per year. Once they have completed their hours, students are asked to reflect by writing responses to a series of questions. Students must engage in service that meet certain criteria that prioritize service to vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved populations among human, animal, and environmental groups. The Service Learning requirement is a graduation requirement. Upper School students who demonstrate exceptional involvement in one area of service can apply for Service Learning Distinction.
St. Stephen's partners with more than a dozen nonprofit organizations in the Central Texas area including Austin Pets Alive, Caritas, the Central Texas Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and Mobile Loaves & Fishes. They provide a multitude of off-campus opportunities for Middle and Upper School Spartans to make a difference in the lives of others. Highly engaging service learning trips happen nearly every weekend during the school year.
