ACADEMICS
Community Service
At the core of Albuquerque Academy’s mission is a belief in the fundamental importance of authentic learning and the need to help students use their knowledge to serve and contribute to the community and the world. The community service program at Albuquerque Academy provides a springboard for action, as students are required to integrate community service into their educational journeys. As students progress through the school, they are required to take a leadership role in matching community needs with their own interests and passions. This groundwork will help them take initiative and empower them to become service leaders.
Divisional Curriculum
6-7 Division
Teachers identify community needs and educational goals and establish meaningful service activities for students. Sixth graders will participate in a service-related activity in partnership with their Tech Apps class along with a half-day service project in their family groups and a few other activities during the school day throughout the year to learn about core concepts and the value of community service. Seventh graders will participate in a service project during their Urban Adventures program.
8-9 Division
The goal of the community service program in the 8-9 division is for students to have positive, engaging, and productive volunteer experiences with local community partners while learning how they can support issues they care about. Eighth-grade students participate in service projects with their advisers during the school day. Ninth graders participate in one off-campus service trip to a local non-profit organization, supported by faculty and scheduled throughout the school year. Both grades participate in the Community Service Symposium, an in-school event that introduces students to numerous local community organizations.
10-12 Division
By 10th grade, students are capable of taking full ownership of the shape and direction of their community service experience by considering how to best harness their own skills and passions to support local, national, or international needs. All students must complete a Commitment to Service project to graduate. Students can take a leadership role and initiate their own project, team up with others to address a community need, form a long-term partnership with an existing organization, or continue a regular commitment to an organization.
Community Service Recognition
Students are encouraged to expand their service beyond the Academy’s requirements.
- Students in the 8-9 division who complete a total of 20 additional hours of service in a school year are recognized in the Community Service 8-9 Honor Society.
- Students in the 10-12 division who complete a total of 40 additional hours of service in a school year are recognized in the Community Service 10-12 Honor Society.
- Students in grades 8-12 who complete 150 hours of documented service over the course of these years receive a letter in community service.