In the Lower school service learning is woven into the fabric of the school. From classroom curriculum to the art and music rooms, the PE fields, and the library, students are taught from their first days at school that they are part of a community that begins at Brentwood School and extends outward.

They learn that they have a responsibility as future citizens to know about the world around them and to respect and appreciate diversity. They also learn to identify problems and find resources to address these problems. Students report that helping others is rewarding and important and can be a lot of fun. Through service experiences students are introduced to new places and people and educated about issues in their community.

Each year as students move from Kindergarten to Sixth Grade their knowledge of their community grows. By the time today’s Kindergarteners enter the Middle School, they will have had seven years of diverse service experiences—cooperating, helping, caring, and demonstrating civic responsibility while also learning. They also will be familiar with many community organizations and diverse groups of people. One of the goals of the service learning program is to make students aware of their responsibilities to their community. Service teaches students values for citizenship including dignity and tolerance along with an appreciation of human diversity and a desire for social justice.

Program Description

Brentwood School is committed to being an active participant in the Los Angeles community. We strive to teach students that community participation and service are part of their responsibilities as good citizens. To this end, we hold a number of school drives throughout the year to help people in need living in our community and beyond. This year there will be a Backpack Drive in September, a Thanksgiving Food Drive in November, a Toy Drive in December, and a Tuna Drive in February.

Each grade participates in a service project linked to its classroom curriculum. In this way, students are able to apply lessons learned in school to real life experiences in the community (and vice versa). Recognizing the potency of learning through service, will provide students opportunities to reach out to those in need, as well as to address environmental issues. In the process, our children learn about important community issues and that they can make a difference at any age.