Community Service at Hyde serves as a vehicle for change and character development in a number of ways. Participating in service through our organization not only gives students opportunities to better their own neighborhoods; it exposes them to larger societal issues and allows them to develop a connection to and concern for those issues. Through volunteering, students are often able to learn quite a bit about themselves, perhaps discovering a unique potential.

In order to graduate from Hyde, all students must complete at least 200 hours of service and meet the established benchmarks each year.  Our Community Service program includes hands-on service, as well as critical reflection periods and conversations. Students may get involved in service in a number of different ways -- through class project, larger one-day service projects that are organized and scheduled by Hyde a couple of times a month; or by volunteering for organizations on their own time.

Past class projects have included tutoring at local elementary schools, regular nursing home visits, organizing school-wide drives and service-oriented events, and individual placements in Hyde school helping various administrative offices and teachers. 

There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities in and around Washington, DC. If students do not know what they are interested in doing or do not know where to find such opportunities, they are welcome to speak with a member of the Serving-Learning staff who will gladly offer suggestions, contacts, and even specific locations of organizations in need.