Service-learning emphasizes both service and learning and requires participants to use their knowledge and skills to address real-life needs in their own communities. At Oak Crest Academy, students will achieve this goal by following the four phases of the service-learning process: investigation, planning, taking action, and reflection. When led through this collaborative process, students share and invest their ideas and skills and feel truly committed to the project and to making a difference. Service-learning expands a student’s world and ties what is taught in the classroom to the community. Service-learning connects community service with academic skills, and for our students, creates a deep connection between helping others and learning.
Service-learning is the application of the values we teach. Our students have the opportunity to exercise civic responsibility, compassion, kindness, leadership, and a duty to others.
Each trimester, Oak Crest Academy students participate in a community service learning project. A new cohesive theme is explored and students take part in service field trips that directly tie into the cohesive theme and community segment area of emphasis. Each trimester the students will focus on People, Animals and Earth. Service-learning projects include working with a local food bank, working on a farm, recycling, stuffing bags for My Stuff Bags, making lunches for a homeless program, collecting and packaging donations for soldiers abroad, participating in beach clean up days, visiting the local animal shelter, working at a local thrift store for charity, and more.
In addition to teaching values, service-learning also enhances the personal and social skills Oak Crest Academy is trying to develop in our students: working with and for others, communication in verbal and written forms, problem solving, logical thinking, organizational skills, and forming lifelong habits such as helpfulness, graciousness, and generosity.
