Lancaster Country Day School | Service Learning

Upper School

Service Learning is a method of teaching through which students apply their academic skills and knowledge to address issues in their own communities. By solving real problems and meeting real needs, students learn to apply classroom learning to an authentic context. At the same time, students provide valuable services to schools and communities.

LCDS has many opportunities for our students to participate in service projects. The Refugee and Immigrant Service Education (RAISE) club participates in a yearly cultural exchange with the Refugee Center at Reynolds Middle School. Once a week, students from Reynolds and LCDS come together to play games, tackle science experiments, and learn from each other. Service learning provides authenticity and encourages student leadership. This year, a sophomore student spearheaded the “Bears for Care” drive, which collected stuffed animals so that children entering a new foster home can receive a furry friend to accompany them in their transition.

All of these projects allow our students to feel the impact of their simple yet meaningful work. Our philosophy is to “create a community of outward-looking, lifelong learners.” These types of service learning projects are just one example of how LCDS fulfills its philosophy and mission.

Middle School

Service to the community and the school is an integral part of the Middle School experience at Lancaster Country Day. Sixth-grade students can assist in maintaining the landscaping and learning gardens that enhance our school. The students in seventh grade have pre-K buddies and participate weekly in educational games, read together, and generally providing positive role models for our youngest students. Each trimester, the eighth-grade theatre class performs for a local retirement community, extending the role of service to the community at large. In addition, seventh and eighth graders are invited to volunteer with our Horizons program, which serves low-income public school students from the School District of Lancaster in the summer and on Saturdays. Advisory groups regularly participate in service projects, such as book and food drives to benefit community organizations throughout Lancaster.