Preparing students for a lifelong commitment to learning and social responsibility is at the heart of the St. Luke’s experience. The School’s motto, Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve, inspires students to strive not only for academic excellence but also responsible citizenship and service to humanity.
Kate Parker-Burgard, Center for Leadership Director
We believe that character is developed when actions are done in service to the greater good. By using one’s strengths, service locations become laboratories for developing leadership as students gain confidence and develop their identities as people who can help."
Service at St. Luke's
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Middle School students collecting apples for local food pantries. -
Students sorting food at the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County -
Students making blankets for Circle of Care, which will give them to children diagnosed with cancer -
As part of their learning about food insecurity, 7th graders load a van with food for Filling in the Blanks
MIDDLE SCHOOL
St. Luke’s students are introduced to service throughout their Middle School experience. Service learning happens in a variety of ways: some may occur in class, as teachers connect their lessons to the work of inspiring nonprofits; some may transpire after school as we offer regular optional activities focused on helping nonprofits; and some may ensue when students pursue their interest in a cause by creating a club, raising awareness, or setting up fundraisers to support favorite organizations. All of these activities, from formal to informal, help create a service mindset for all of our students.
St. Luke’s students are introduced to service throughout their Middle School experience. Service learning happens in a variety of ways: some may occur in class, as teachers connect their lessons to the work of inspiring nonprofits; some may transpire after school as we offer regular optional activities focused on helping nonprofits; and some may ensue when students pursue their interest in a cause by creating a club, raising awareness, or setting up fundraisers to support favorite organizations. All of these activities, from formal to informal, help create a service mindset for all of our students.
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The annual toy drive collects toys for children at the Carver Center -
Students assemble hot chocolate jars to raise relief funds for those impacted by CA wildfires -
Students work on sprucing up one of the food distribution sites at Person-to-Person -
Students cleaning and organizing at the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants -
Our annual walkathon with Inspirica, a nonprofit that helps people who are housing insecure
UPPER SCHOOL
As our students mature, our community service program grows with them. In Upper School, we continue to offer a variety of grade- and school-wide service activities. We ask students to take responsibility for their own service by asking themselves, “What matters to me? What strengths or skills do I have to offer? How can I contribute to my community?” While required hours create “accountability,” most of our students wind up becoming deeply invested in their work. Through their initiative and our support, students develop their sense of responsibility, agency, and leadership.
As our students mature, our community service program grows with them. In Upper School, we continue to offer a variety of grade- and school-wide service activities. We ask students to take responsibility for their own service by asking themselves, “What matters to me? What strengths or skills do I have to offer? How can I contribute to my community?” While required hours create “accountability,” most of our students wind up becoming deeply invested in their work. Through their initiative and our support, students develop their sense of responsibility, agency, and leadership.
List of 3 items.
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20
Hours20 hours of service
per Upper School year required -
1
ReflectionOne reflection due no later than
spring break of senior year -
13,000+
HoursOver 13K student hours given since
COVID restrictions began (Mar. '20).
Spotlight on Service
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Andrea
Andrea volunteered as a buddy at Light the Night, a prom experience for people with special needs.
“She (my buddy) taught me how easy it was to make someone’s day and how it never hurts to ask somebody if they want to join. My overall takeaway from this experience came from my guest’s infectious smile and positive attitude at the prom. She made me feel welcome in an environment in which I thought I was supposed to take the lead.” -
Annika
Annika volunteered for several years with Appalachian Service Project, an organization that helps repair homes in Appalachia.“The relationships I have built with the people of the Appalachian mountain region have created a change in my way of thinking. Meeting these gracious yet incredibly impoverished people has broadened my perspective on what is required to attain happiness.” -
Teddy
Teddy mentors a boy with special needs in the Stamford foster care system.
“My relationship with Jack has opened my eyes…It is unfair that Jack has to struggle in ways that I could never have imagined at his age, let alone handle…I don’t know how I want to address the problems that Jack faces on a grander scale…I do know that I want to help, though. My biggest regret regarding my service is that I didn’t start sooner.” -
Karey
Karey volunteered with the New Canaan Mounted Troop Super Trooper Therapeutic Riding program, introducing equine care and riding to people of all ages with special cognitive, physical, and emotional needs.“Being able to share my love for the barn and the horses with those who struggle with disabilities is so rewarding and it has changed the way I interact with the local disabled community.” -
Brandon
Brandon volunteered with elderly residents at an assisted living facility where he helped in their recreation department.“Looking back at the service experience, it taught me that sometimes being in your comfort zone is good but eventually you have to get out of that to learn and do new things. I wasn’t expecting to really enjoy the service experience at Sunrise, but every day I would walk in and would be approached by smiles and hellos!” -
Reed
Reed coached tennis through Bridgehampton Youth Tennis, an organization that serves low-income families in the area.“As the summer went on, these kids had a major impact on me…As I’ve now been there for a couple of years, I have been able to watch these kids grow and create many memories with them. With many inside jokes, fun times, and the ability to watch them vastly improve their tennis skills, this experience has been one of the most rewarding of my life.” -
Zoe
Zoe went on the SLS Service trip to Washington, DC and worked with organizations that serve people who are housing and food insecure.“We hosted a dinner where we ate with members of the community which truly humanized the impoverished and struggling people. Had we not been put in a situation where we had to interact, I think I would have continued to think of these people as completely different from me. By sitting down to a meal…and just having regular conversations, suddenly it became clear these are just regular people having a hard time.” -
Jessie
Jessie devoted her time and attention to environmental issues through her work with Westchester Parks Association and Ambler Farm.“Ever since I started volunteering, I’ve kept asking myself questions like, ‘is this eco-friendly?’ or ‘is there more I can do to help the environment?’ Although I had a deep appreciation for nature before, the amount that I cherish and respect nature has grown so much more now. I will forever be grateful for those experiences.” -
Colt
Colt volunteered at the New Canaan Nature Center, doing everything from clearing trails to cleaning out storage areas.“Having done all this work and much more at the Nature Center, I have a new appreciation for nature and the organizations that work to inform the community about their surroundings. My time there also taught me about the positive ability human interaction can have with nature…Overall the Nature Center has redefined how I view the environment and has taught me to be a more sustainable person.” -
Matthew
Matthew volunteered with the elderly at a skilled nursing care facility, assisting in their recreation program.“Through this experience of dealing with senior citizens, I have developed greater compassion toward our older population and feel like they have a lot to add to the table due to their experiences in life. I will take these skills and compassion to my adult life and will look to continue cherishing the lives of our older citizens and making sure they have a larger role in society.” -
Angie
Angie volunteered with Lucky Dog Refuge in Stamford where she socialized and walked dogs.“Volunteering at Lucky Dog Refuge sparked my interest in what more people could do for animals at refuges and adoption centers. As I plan on majoring in Animal Science on a pre-veterinary track, animals hold a special place in my heart and I want to do whatever it takes to ensure care for their well-being.” -
Emilia
Emilia volunteered for the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge where she has done everything from animal care to educating visitors to helping with financial transactions.“Whether it’s wolves, bears, bald eagles, porcupines, lynxes, or any other animal we have at the Refuge, my knowledge about different species and their survival has increased exponentially. As a result of my volunteer work, I know more about the impact and damage people have on wildlife, and am proud that I can educate people about the preventable, human-inflicted injuries that the animals sustained.”
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St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving 25 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Center for Leadership builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
