Programs Service Learning
Mission and Goals
DEFINITION: Service-learning is a teaching strategy that connects classroom curriculum with service projects. Service-learning engages students in projects that serve the community while building social, civic, and academic skills.
MISSION: Service-learning will deepen and extend classroom instruction for CPS high school students in all subject areas to improve academic achievement, build social skills, and develop civic skills and attitudes. Through participation in curriculum-integrated service-learning projects, students will be have opportunities to work toward the common good as they develop a strong sense of social responsibility and civic awareness.
GOALS: All schools generate opportunities for classroom-integrated service-learning experiences with students. All students participate actively in service-learning experiences to build higher order academic skills, strengthen relationships, and develop civic skills. Community organizations partner with schools to provide authentic service-learning experiences.
Visit our Guidelines page to view service-learning outcomes.
SERVICE LEARNING GRADUATION REQUIREMENT SUMMARY:
- Students must spend time preparing for and reflecting on the service-learning experience in order to receive credit toward promotion and/or graduation. Students participating in classroom-integrated projects must participate in classroom preparation and reflection activities.
- Students completing service-learning hours on their own must complete the pre-service preparation and post-service reflection form. Students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of service between 9th and 12th grade in order to graduate.
- All sophomores must complete a minimum of 20 hours of service in order to be promoted to junior status.
- All service-learning projects and experiences must be pre-approved by the school's Service-Learning Coach. Service-learning hours will not be granted for projects that have not been pre-approved.
HOW DOES SERVICE-LEARNING WORK?
Each service-learning project must have three components: Preparation, Action, and Reflection. Students can complete service-learning projects in one of three ways: Classroom-based projects, after-school projects, or individual or small group projects scaffolded into classroom experience. Visit our Guidelines page to find out more information.
Each school has at least one trained Service-Learning Coach whose responsibility it is to work with teachers and students to develop service projects. Teachers play an important role in developing classroom-based service experiences that are linked to curriculum and standards. More than 250 community organizations provide service opportunities for students. Parents can encourage and motivate their children to participate in high quality service and can also help teachers implement projects. Principals and other administrators help to promote the Service-Learning initiative and guarantee high quality service and academic rigor.
To obtain the Service Learning Hours Form Click Here.
Service Learning Coach - Mrs. Teresa Helm-Rogers
For more information, contact the Service-Learning Coach or school principal in your neighborhood or Jon Schmidt, Service-Learning Manager, at 773/553-6391 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .