Service Learning
Welcome!
Upper School Individual Service Hours:
Upper school students complete a minimum 15 service hours
for each year they are enrolled at the Overlake upper school. 10 hours per year
must be off-campus on behalf of a charitable organization other than Overlake; 2
hours per year may be on-campus service. Students self-report hours online for
verification and approval.
School-wide Service Activities:
Service Days: All Overlake students participate in
school-wide service days to build awareness and understanding of community needs
while helping to address those needs through group service activities. Middle
School service days are held in Fall and Spring; Upper School service day is in
Spring.
Service-Based Project Weeks: All students
participate in experiential learning through Project Week held each Spring.
Among the offerings are local, domestic and international service-based
experiences. In past years, Project Week options have included service to
nonprofits in the Seattle Metropolitan area, New Orleans Hurricane Relief,
Habitat for Humanity projects and teaching at Overlake’s sister school in
Pailin, Cambodia, among others.
Hopelink – Avondale Park Meal Service: For over a
decade, Overlake School has provided monthly meals to our neighbors in
transitional housing at Avondale Park. Teams of students, faculty and
administrators volunteer once a month to serve and share a hot meal with
residents of Avondale Park.
Research indicates that the most meaningful service
experiences are those that link student passion, interests and abilities with
community organizations and needs. Overlake encourages students to consider
skill and interest areas and apply their talents and energy in serving the
community. Thus, service opportunities are organized by type of service and
interest areas.