SERVICE LEARNING
At Shipley, we believe that education extends far beyond the classroom. Our Service Learning program is rooted in our mission to develop students who engage in the world as compassionate participants—young people who grow intellectually, act compassionately, and lead courageously.
Discover Compassionate Participation at Shipley
Service learning at Shipley prepares students to make a difference—in their own communities and around the world. Schedule a tour to learn more about how we inspire students to act with empathy, care, and purpose.
Service Learning
From our youngest learners in PreK through our graduating seniors, students develop the skills, understanding, and heart to engage meaningfully with their communities—near and far. Through hands-on experiences with community partners, students explore issues of social responsibility, equity, and justice. They ask questions, reflect on their experiences, and discover how they can make a meaningful difference in the world.
| Lower School |
| Service learning in the Lower School is woven into the curriculum and community life. Students participate in stream studies, gardening projects, fundraising initiatives, and exchanges with partner schools. Fifth graders complete Think, Care, Act projects that challenge them to recognize their interests, identify a need, research solutions, and take meaningful action. |
| Middle School |
| Middle School students engage in service days that combine hands-on community work with reflection and learning. Through advisory programs and classroom connections, students begin to develop their own understanding of service and social responsibility. |
| Upper School |
| Upper School students complete 40 hours of community service as a graduation requirement, but our program encourages students to go far beyond checking a box. Seniors complete Senior Service Projects that combine sustained engagement with reflection and learning. A student-led Service Committee plans and leads service activities, and numerous clubs offer opportunities for students to pursue causes they care about. |
Signature Events & Traditions
Service learning brings our entire community together through beloved annual traditions:
| Super Saturday |
| Super Saturday — Our fall community celebration is organized by students and raises funds for The Brain Tree Primary School, our sister school in Uganda. |
| Turkey Drive |
| Thanksgiving Turkey Drive — Students across all divisions come together to pack food boxes for families in need, combining service with gratitude and reflection. |
| MLK Jr. Day of Service |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service — Students honor Dr. King's legacy through service projects that bring his vision of compassion and justice to life. |
Our Community Partners
Shipley's service learning program is made possible through partnerships with organizations throughout our region, including food pantries, environmental centers, animal sanctuaries, and educational organizations. These relationships allow our students to contribute meaningfully while learning from community experts and the people they serve.
Global Partnership: The Brain Tree Primary School
For more than 20 years, Shipley has partnered with The Brain Tree Primary School in Kampala, Uganda. This relationship exemplifies our commitment to global citizenship and mutual learning.
Our students exchange letters and connect via video with their Brain Tree peers. Upper School students have led enrichment programs in chess and coding for Brain Tree students. Faculty from both schools share professional learning around mindfulness, trauma-informed teaching, and student support.
Brain Tree's guiding principle, Bulungi Bwansi—"for the good of the world"—reflects the spirit of service and compassionate participation that connects our two communities across continents.
SEE WHAT MAKES SHIPLEY DIFFERENT |
| Ready to explore a school where academics are just the beginning? Visit us to experience how our approach to well-being, belonging, and compassionate participation helps students thrive—in school and beyond. |