Service Learning

Think global, Act local

Service learning provides opportunities for students to understand their capacity to make a meaningful contribution their community and society. Through service learning, students develop and apply academic knowledge, personal skills and social skills in real-life situations involving decision-making, problem-solving, initiative, responsibility and accountability for their actions.


Aims of Service Learning:

  • develop and apply knowledge and skills towards meeting an authentic community need

  • develop as leaders who take initiative, solve problems and work collaboratively with others

  • enjoy the experiences of both learning and service

  • develop a sense of caring about, and a responsibility for, others

  • gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their community and society through meaningful reflection

  • enhance and strengthen their experience with the existing school curriculum

Student requirements:

  • all students are required to engage in a service learning program. Completion of service learning is based on student achievement of the five service learning outcomes.

  • all students are required to maintain and complete a service learning portfolio as evidence of their engagement with service learning. While not formally assessed, the portfolio gives students an opportunity to outline and reflect on their service learning experience.

  • students engage in three interviews with their service learning coordinator. First interview at the beginning of the service learning program. Second interview at end of the year 1. Third interview at the end of the service learning program.

  • students are expected to devote a minimum of 50 hours to service learning. Some service learning hours are built-in to the Personal and Professional skills course, but some hours will be required outside of the school day.

The 5 learning outcomes articulate what CP students are able to do at some point during their service learning program.

Learning outcome 1 Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Students are able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, of which some are more developed than others.

Learning outcome 2 Demonstrate participation with service learning experiences

Students can articulate the five stages from investigating and conceiving an idea to executing a plan for a service learning experience or series of service learning experiences. Students may show their knowledge and awareness by building on a previous service learning experience, or by launching a new idea or process, or by advancing the work of others. This may be accomplished in collaboration with other participants.

Learning outcome 3 Demonstrate the sills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Students are able to identify and critically discuss the benefits and challenges of collaboration gained through service learning experiences.

Learning outcome 4 Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally or internationally.

Learning outcome 5 Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Students show awareness of the consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out service learning experiences.

Student requirements:

  • Students will have three formal interviews with a supervisor to discuss planning, progress, and any concerns that might arise.

  • Students also must complete the Reflections on planning and progress form (RPPF) at the conclusion of the reflective project