Bosque’s Upper School Service Learning program encourages student involvement in the community in a way that compliments individual interests, with the long-term hope that service becomes a permanent part of students’ lives well beyond graduation.  The self-select program model allows students to join a group that addresses a community issue they care about. Throughout the year, they learn about that issue and take action towards addressing it through outreach projects, special events and awareness campaigns. 

 

Participation in service learning is a requirement of ninth through eleventh graders, but the program gives students considerable independence by offering a dozen groups from which to choose.  Students who are motivated to pursue their own service project can initiate an independent study by submitting a proposal and learning goals for approval.  All students are supported by faculty sponsors and exposed to up-to-date content through expert guest speakers, articles, films and other resources.  In addition, ninth graders participate in two class-wide service projects during the school year, and twelfth graders participate in the Senior Service Symposium, a three-day culminating immersive event prior to graduation.

 

• Upper School Service Learning Requirements and Assignments

 

Upper School Service Learning Groups

	Amnesty International  –  This student-led group tackles human rights and equality issues and works to raise awareness about violations of human rights across the world. They also work to support the rights of the wrongfully incarcerated.
	Barrett House – These students organize a clothing drive and volunteer to support Barrett House, a non-profit organization that houses and aids women and children in NM, who have been affected by alcohol, drugs, domestic violence, and many other issues.
	Bosque Outreach Performing Program (BOPP) – Steeped in a love of music, students will learn about the benefits of music in social, emotional and academic development and perform concerts at pre-schools, senior centers and other community groups.
	Green Group - Participants focus on sustainability and environment in and around Bosque School. Interest has centered on composting, gardening, energy conservation, and recycling related to the school dining room.
	Harry Potter Alliance – This group is affiliated with a non-profit organization that encourages young people to be inspired by the books they read and the movies they watch to make the world a more “magical” place.  Our chapter of the HPA will focus on literacy issues in greater Albuquerque.
	Independent Projects- Establish an idea and outreach project based on a student’s particular area of interest (reading to kids, adopt a highway, working with animals, One Million Bones, Adaptive Ski Program at Sandia Peak, etc.). Students must submit a written proposal and participation is subject to committee approval.
	Jr. Civitan partnered with a local adult organization that services Bernalillo County.  Projects in the past years have involved the Boys & Girls Clubs, Carrie Tingley Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and other organizations serving children.
	Mayor’s Office of Volunteer Engagement (MOVE) – MOVE was started to bring a sense of leadership and community to the lives of New Mexicans every day.  This group is run by students in partnership with the City of Albuquerque Mayor’s office.  MOVE’s main focus is to assist a variety of different service groups each month throughout the city.
	Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) – After significant training students provide medical care to sick and injured Bosque School community members. MRC members also provide medical care to the general public through participation in community events, and they are part of the state's disaster preparedness response program.
	Operation Smile - This group is partnered with Cibola High School in providing operations to children with cleft-palates around the world. Operation Smile offers leadership training and opportunities to travel abroad to assist in medical missions.

 

As reflected in our Core Values, helping students develop a sense of empathy and an ethic of service to our community is very important to Bosque School.  Thus, participation in the Service Learning program is a graduation requirement of all students.  First semester, students will receive a progress or incomplete grade and second semester a pass or fail grade.  In upper school, all 9th through 11th graders are required each year to:

 

• Choose a Service Learning group or design and implement an independent Service Learning project;
• Attend and actively participate in the Service Learning group (or Independent Project group) meetings during Community Block throughout the year;
• Participate in the group’s volunteer/advocacy/education activities throughout the year.  This participation will vary by group as some groups have specific requirements, but all students are expected to engage in activities beyond the required meeting; and
• Complete midterm and final portfolio reflection assignments assigned by the Service Learning faculty.  See above for upcoming assignments. 

 

Failure to complete one or more of the above requirements could result in students needing to participate in additional service responsibilities during the school year or into their senior year, based on the review by appropriate faculty.  Since Service Learning is part of the Bosque School’s curriculum, students do not have the option to fulfill the above requirements though summer volunteer work.

 

Seniors are exempt from the full-year program; however, they are encouraged to participate if they choose.  The Senior Service Symposium, a three-day end-of-year culminating immersive event, is a requirement prior to graduation.