City Academy Service Learning

City Academy was one of the first charter schools in Utah and is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.

100% of City Academy students participate in service learning. Service learning is much, much more than volunteering; it is another means of accomplishing big learning. Service learning combines service tasks with structured learning opportunities that link the task to s

elf-reflection and self-discovery, and to the acquisition and comprehension of knowledge, ideas, values, and skills. At City Academy service learning is required for graduation. Students have opportunities to participate in school sponsored service learning in at least four different ways. Student service learning committees provide service for the school community while providing students the opportunity to learn about the area of service they are providing. Academic service learning opportunities arise in classes across the curriculum when a controversy or issue emerges from the course of study. Students learn about this multifaceted concern and are then asked to develop a solution or resolution to the issue based on their study. Students perform a service when they communicate their solutions to those in the larger community directly dealing with the issue, or when they take action themselves on the issue. Additionally, 10th through 12th grade students participate in internship placements of their choosing in non-profit or government organizations in the community. Students learn about the causes and issues of the organization within which they are serving. The student intern then helps the organization implement some of the interventions they have helped develop. Each year there is also several whole school service learning activities where the student body learns more about a particular community need and then acts to help resolve it. In the Service Learning Internship, the student learns more about this issue and helps develop ways to work on it. The student then helps implement some of the issues-based work and reflects on the experience. Service learning is a win-win situation: the student learns “on the job” and the organization benefits from the service. City Academy Graduation Requirement
− At least one Academic Service Learning project. Each project counts for .5 CTE credit and a student may
do 2 projects or continue an existing project as needed for their required 1.0 CTE credit. (Note: even if you
have earned 1.0 CTE credits in other ways, you will still need to do 1 service learning project for
graduation)
− Minimum 36 hours on site service, certified by on site field supervisor(s).
− Satisfactory reports from Field Supervisor as submitted to Service Learning Coordinator (including
performance evaluation on the job and attendance, etc.)
− Completion of answers to the 3 Essential Question reflection papers and a final project with exhibition as
outlined below. These papers and final exhibition will be assessed for level of demonstrated competency in
reflective experience-based learning.
− More hours and projects