Community Service

Community Service is at the heart of life at Saint Mark's. Each grade has its own special way of participating in the greater community, from Kindergarteners working together with their eighth grade buddies to make cards and small gifts for the elderly to Upper School projects that promote environmental awareness and foster global partnerships.

The program culminates in seventh and eighth grades. Students rotate through six different types of agencies - food kitchens, environmental agencies, senior homes, disabled institutions, animal shelters or training facilities and preschools - and spend a full day volunteering in each type. At the end of seventh grade, students spend a week working at the agency of their choice.

Students take on a substantial holiday responsibility, such as participating in the Adopt A Family program or supporting Ritter Center families, in order to reach out to the local community. The focus of Mentors groups' community service becomes global in the second half of the year. They raise money for AIDS orphans, the eSibonisweni preschool and the primary school in Maputoland, through student-organized activities such as Trivia Night.

Students take on a substantial holiday responsibility, such as participating in the Adopt A Family program or supporting Ritter Center families, in order to reach out to the local community.

Students also support other international relief efforts, such as collecting toiletries and other necessary items for people in Haiti.

As a community, Saint Mark's continues to support and expand its ongoing relationship with eSibonisweni School in South Africa. The program, currently in its seventh year, provides a rewarding bonding experience for everyone as we work towards changing our relationship with the school from one of community service to one of partnership.