buildOn's Mission: The mission of buildOn is to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education. We empower urban youth to transform their neighborhoods through intensive community service and to change the world by building schools in some of the economically poorest countries in the world.

At the IA: Every year students from the International Academy travel to an illiteracy-plagued country to assist in the construction of the school. In the past three years we have gone to Nicaragua, Haiti, and Malawi, and are most likely going to Guatemala this year.

We promote service and fundraising opportunities to encourage students to place a higher value on their education and contribute meaningfully to both their local and international communities. In fact, buildOn students contributed a total of 1.7 million service hours since 1993. Once sufficient funds for a school are fundraised, student representatives travel to the country, stay with host families, and work alongside villagers in the construction of the school.

We are eligible to distribute the Presidential Volunteer Service Award to any members with the required hours! (Log hours here)