Experiential Learning

SERVICE LEARNING

Service Learning is an instructional method that fosters student learning and service to one’s community. Students apply knowledge and skills developed in the classroom to service opportunities in the community. In turn, the service experiences help create conditions for students to succeed in the classroom and in life.

Service should be a journey with our brothers and sisters in need. As one enters into this journey with people whose life experiences are different from our own, both participants and society are transformed. Service is internalized and becomes a mission. Villa Maria wants our students to joyfully take this journey and, in doing so, to reach the following objectives:

• to provide further opportunity for students to discover and use their God-given gifts and to share these gifts with others,

• to connect the academic curriculum with an educated, meaningful response to the needs of the community so that students use their academic and social abilities to improve the community,

• to educate students on and encourage reflection on issues of social justice and their responses to them in accordance with Catholic social teachings

• to provide further opportunity for students to develop as leaders, problem solvers, and women of God, and as such to remember the words of St. Alphonsus Liguori: “He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things.”

905-908 Service Learning 9, 10, 11, 12 

Grade 9-12 

Pass/Incomplete/Fail

Service Hour Requirements

SENIOR CAPSTONE

Senior Capstone is a culminating learning experience that encourages critical thinking and research, promotes conversation and problem solving, and results in real-life application of prior and acquired knowledge. Students will concentrate on areas of personal interest. Using an inquiry-based method, they will connect their acquired knowledge to life experiences, thus deepening their awareness of what they have learned.  The Senior Capstone Experience involves critical thinking, investigative research, problem solving, written reflection and application of prior and acquired knowledge under the guidance of a mentor and through documented field experiences and/or service. The goal of this learning activity is not only to sharpen and expand the students’ method of research but to develop interpersonal and communication skills and to encourage personal growth. Ultimately, the students will learn how to learn, and hopefully will enjoy the process. In lieu of final exams, all seniors are required to submit written summaries which connect their Capstone experiences to their curricular work. The project culminated in a two-week-long mentorship experience in the professional world.

Another required element of the VMA senior Capstone Experience is their senior Business Etiquette Conference, a day preparing for and simulating the demands of the working environment. Workshops on resume building, interview skills, and business dress and decorum are included with this required event.  

873 Capstone Experience 

Grade 12 

Credit 1.0

An inquiry-based experience, driven by student interest, the Senior Capstone Experience is required for graduation. It involves critical thinking, investigative research, problem solving, written summary and application of prior and acquired knowledge through documented field experiences and/or service. Fulfillment of graded assignments, a culminating assessment, and participation in the Business Etiquette Conference and mentor experience are required for graduation. This course must be fulfilled to meet all graduation requirements.