Academics
Service Learning
Service Learning Principles
Giving Back
The Service Learning program is a critical component of a CCES education. As a Christian school, CCES is committed to developing a servant attitude in our students through service learning. The Service Learning program at CCES strives to develop within all students a personal value system of responsibility to the community. In each division, students are exposed to many different service opportunities, allowing them to explore their own personal gifts and interests.
For additional information, please contact Elizabeth Jarrett, Director of Service & Experiential Learning at jarrette@cces.org.
Starting in the Earliest Grades
The Service Learning program at CCES focuses in four critical areas: health, education, culture, and environment. Students start in the earliest grades by learning to serve their school community, then step out to make a difference in the wider Greenville community. Ultimately, they begin to address global needs. Through this approach the lifelong practice of “giving back” becomes part of the moral development of every student at the school.
In the Lower and Middle Schools, students participate (beginning in 2nd grade) in service at the grade level, with small groups going into the community each week. Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th also participate in a day of service. The Service Learning Coordinator plans and implements age-appropriate projects for each grade. In addition, schoolwide service projects, such as visiting and helping families in need during the holiday season, reinforce the emphasis on serving others throughout the year.
A Requirement for the Upper School
Upper School students have many different avenues for involvement in community service. All students are required to volunteer 15 hours a year with service projects approved by the Service Learning Coordinator. In addition, ample opportunities are provided throughout the year for the students to participate as a group. Each year, we have a Junior Service Day, a Senior Service Day and an All School Service Day during Homecoming Week. The Special Olympics has become the primary focus for Junior Service Day. Seniors go out in groups to volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, United Ministries, and other non-profit organizations.
Giving Back as a Lifelong Practice
The premise of the Service Learning program at CCES is fairly simple: we want our students to realize that they have a responsibility to take care of themselves, take care of others, and take care of our environment. We provide them with opportunities to give back to the community and to reflect on that experience. Our ultimate goal is to develop students who are engaged and empowered to play their part in changing the world.
Student-Initiated Service Projects
Many times students will see a need in the community and respond to it on their own or with the help of their classmates. For example, after visiting a local soup kitchen, students realized the importance of simple items such as soap. They came back to school and started a collection of travel-size soaps, shampoos, and other hygiene items.
Service projects are also used to expand what students are learning in the classroom. For example, third-graders visit Waterstone Memory Care to play games and help with crafts with the elderly Alzheimer’s patients as part of their study of the brain.
Service projects are also used to expand what students are learning in the classroom. For example, third-graders visit Waterstone Memory Care to play games and help with crafts with the elderly Alzheimer’s patients as part of their study of the brain.
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Service Learning Newsletters
Thank you for reinforcing & instilling the spirit of giving & philanthropy in Brooks at such a young age in the Lower School through Meals on Wheels delivery. One of my favorite aspects of CCES is the community service involvement throughout all three divisions. Teaching young adults to be empathetic & give selflessly of their time changes not only the lives of those they minister to but their own lives as well. Thank you for being a part of the process & changing lives!
CCES Parent, Susan Wienke
Activities by Grade Level:
List of 3 items.
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Lower School
Activity Grade Level Meals on Wheels 2,3,4 CCEP 2 Waterstone Assisted Living 3 Child's Haven 4 -
Middle School
Activity Grade Level Project Host 5 Meals on Wheels 6 Loaves of Fishes 6 Pleasant Valley Headstart 7 Washington Center 8 -
Upper School
Adopt A Road: 12th grade CCES students clean-up along Wenwood Road several times throughout the school year.Humane Society: Students volunteer by cleaning cages, walking dogs, and whatever else is needed.Bethel Breakfast Ministry at Triune: Students prepare and serve hot breakfasts to Greenville’s homeless and needy once a week.
Harvest Hope Food Bank: Students help sort and organize cans to be given to people in need in the community.Ecuador: This trip are a combination of culture, service and global education. Students build relationships with ministry sites through Vacation Bible School, Youth Ministry, Sports Ministry, and some construction.
Serenity Place: CCES students visit this residential addiction treatment center for mothers and their children, and volunteer with children whose mothers are undergoing therapy.Special Olympics: Our students serve as buddies and chaperones to the young athletes participating in these games, held annually at Furman University.
Thrive Upstate: Students help with activities with the disabled adults and work in the garden.YouthBase and Neighborhood Focus: Our students participate in a community after-school program, tutoring, helping with homework assignments, and playing games with elementary-school-age children.United Ministries: CCES students sort food donations at the pantry and participate in the Walk for the Homeless.
Washington Center: Our students intern with teachers at the center.
Christ Church Episcopal School (“CCES”) admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at CCES. CCES does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, scholarship or other programs, or athletic or other school-administered programs and activities.