The NYC Department of Education's Service in Schools initiative began in August 2010 in partnership with NYC Service, Office of the Mayor.
Service in Schools works to increase the number of students doing community service and service-learning. We believe these experiences enable students to use their voices, skills, and critical thinking abilities to make a positive impact in their communities and the world.
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During the 2018-2019 school year:
- 359,191 students participated in at least one school-led service and/or service-learning activity
- Students performed more than 9,259 school-led service and/or service-learning projects
- An overwhelming majority of responding schools reported that school-led service and/or service-learning activities had a positive impact on their students’ development and ability to benefit their community
- Approximately 90 percent or 1,052 responding schools, reported that they accessed resources and/or partnered with at least one external organization to support their service initiative
Service-Learning
Service-learning combines meaningful community service with classroom curriculum. Learn how to get students started with service-learning projects.
Community Service
Through community service, students use real-life solutions to help communities. Learn how to get a community service project started.
High School Leadership Institute
The Service in Schools Leadership Institute is an exciting opportunity for NYC public high school students in grades 10-12 to build their leadership skills over the course of a five-day Institute during spring break. It culminates in the planning and implementation of the Youth Service Summit for elementary school students.
Email Service in Schools with questions.
Service in Schools Kids Action Team
Elementary school students can form a Kids Action Team at their school. The team meets at least once a week and carry out a service-learning project that meets a community need. Through the Kids Action Team, students brainstorm, plan, and gain experience presenting their work to both peers and adults. Find out more about Kids Action Teams.
Race Against Waste
Race Against Waste, a collaboration between Service in Schools and the Office of Sustainability, supports teams of middle- and high-school students as they investigate waste in their community and develop a service-learning project to address it. It is an after-school program that meets weekly from December through May. Through Race Against Waste, each Green Team will plan, carry out, and document a service-learning project that serves a community need. They will also learn from experts in the field of waste reduction.
Talk to a teacher about how to bring a Race Against Waste Green Team to your school. Youth Service Summit
The Service in Schools Youth Service Summit is a day of service to mobilize elementary school youth across the city. Students engage in service projects led by high school student leaders that address local and global issues. These can include homelessness, hunger, health, the environment, and animal welfare.
The summit culminates in a celebration in which students reflect on the power of youth to make change in their communities on a school, neighborhood—even worldwide—basis. Learn how to take part in the Service in Schools Youth Service Summit.
Partners
Many organizations work with New York City public schools to engage students in community service and service-learning. Learn about youth service organizations in NYC.