Service Learning

As stated in our mission, Gilman School seeks to help boys grow into men of character and integrity who have the skills and ability to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and work. We believe that the qualities of honor, leadership, dedication, and service to others must be emphasized and reinforced through all aspects of the School community.

The opportunities for service learning at Gilman are diverse and include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Collecting non-perishable food items for the Donald Bentley Food Pantry and toys and clothing to benefit Metro Kidz and Our Daily Bread Employment Center.
• Helping harvest produce at First Fruits Farm for food banks throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
• Making peanut butter sandwiches for distribution at Manna House.
• Reading books as part of the Lower School's annual Read-a-Thon to raise, on average, over $25,000 each year for various charitable organizations.
• Shooting baskets in the Middle School's annual Hoops for Habitat fundraiser.
• Helping organize and run the Upper School's annual American Red Cross Blood Drive on campus.

Service learning activities are not limited to current students, either! Each year, current parents and families and alumni organize special events with each other or with students in order to maximize their impact across generations.

Objectives, Requirements, and Opportunities by Division

At Gilman, boys of all ages participate in service learning activities. In the Lower School (grades pre-k–4), the seeds for service learning are planted, and boys see helpers in the community and identify themselves as community helpers as well. Beginning in Middle School (grades 5–8), Gilman asks that students participate in group service learning projects, often organized by the School. In the Upper School (grades 9–12), students must begin to take the initiative, dedicating a minimum of 50 hours of consistent involvement to one service learning project that takes place outside of Gilman's campus.

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Service Learning Leadership and Team

As a program under the Office of Community, Inclusion, and Equity (CIE), Gilman's Service Learning efforts are led by Office of CIE members and supported by divisional coordinators.
Questions or ideas? Please get in touch with Tangie Mason or your student's divisional coordinator(s).

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