Middle School Service

In Middle School, service is homework for every student. The reasons are threefold.

• First, the homework format provides the flexibility for each student to find the nexus between her unique interests and the needs of the community.
• Second, students learn the lessons of service on a fundamental level when they invest their own time.
• Third, it encourages a student to take personal responsibility for doing good.

Each middle school student is responsible each academic year for serving the number of hours that corresponds with that student's grade level.

• 8th grade - 8 hours
• 7th grade - 7 hours
• 6th grade - 6 hours
• 5th grade - 5 hours

Service is defined as doing something to help someone else without getting paid. We encourage students to give at least half of their hours off-campus, out in the community.

Service Distinction

Some students want to work toward a more considerable service goal. We created the entirely optional "service distinction" track for these students. Service distinction is earned by giving the required hours in triplicate.

• 8th grade - 24 hours
• 7th grade - 21 hours
• 6th grade - 18 hours
• 5th grade - 15 hours

Service with distinction is not determined until all hours are submitted in May. Students can switch to and from distinction throughout the year. There is no need to commit to a certain track during the year.

During the academic year, each 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade class will take 3 service field trips throughout the year. Over the years, our students have served Beck Cultural Center, FISH Pantry, KARM, Mobile Meals, VMC, Second Harvest Food Bank, Random Acts of Flowers, and Beardsley Farm.

Fifth grade students visit the VMC and serve lunch once a month in groups of 3 in addition to participating in middle school service days.

Seventh grade students also participate in a 3 day long service trip each spring. Students stay at Grace Point Camp and travel to volunteer at Girls, Inc. in Oak Ridge while also volunteering and working at Grace Point Camp.

Portfolio Service

Eighth grade students participate in a self-directed service whose focus reflects the topic of a year long capstone Portfolio Project.