Community Action

At Seattle Academy, we believe that one person can make a difference, collective action creates powerful change, and effective service begins with listening. Through our Community Action program, students engage with the world in ways that foster empathy, critical thinking, and purpose. They make a meaningful impact through respectful engagement and seek the voices and needs of communities first in order to build solutions together. Guided by our mission, students explore how their passions can translate into meaningful service.

What is Community Action?

Philosophy of the Program

We strive to instill three key principles to encourage our students to become life-long contributors:

The service of one individual CAN and DOES impact others.
As a team, together we can make a significant impact.
Our approach to serving starts with seeking the community perspective regarding the need. We believe we can best serve by beginning with this show of honor and respect. We understand we cannot enter into a community believing we have all of the answers and know what that community needs. We believe we must listen and engage in a dialogue with community members about their needs to serve effectively.

SAAS-Sponsored Service Opportunities

Students may earn up to 40 hours for the following school-based roles:

Teacher Assistant (TA)
Athletic Team Manager
Arts Department or Stage Production Assistant
Peer Tutoring
Student Facilitator or Event Support (e.g., Open House)
Community Action Club (CAC)
South Park Summer Program

Note: These roles may be repeated, but only 40 hours total may count toward the graduation requirement.

COMMUNITY ACTION OPPORTUNITIES

Community Action

To foster respect for diverse people and cultures, we ask all students to engage in meaningful community action. We help them identify their passions and explore ways to turn those passions into action. Through service, students gain perspective, reduce entitlement, and better understand social injustices—ultimately promoting equity and inclusion.

Middle School

Middle School

In Middle School, students are introduced to the concept of service through intentional, grade-level activities. These experiences are designed to spark reflection, foster empathy, and plant the seeds of lifelong engagement.

One hallmark experience is the Seattle Challenge experience, a three-day capstone experience for 8th graders to deepen their understanding of community, identity, and service. In small groups, students navigate the city, often relying on public transportation and their own collaborative skills, to visit and volunteer with a wide range of organizations that support people on the margins in our city - those who may be experiencing poverty, homelessness, or food insecurity, and the elderly.

Seattle Challenge

Seattle Challenge

Upper School

Upper School

SAAS students learn that serving others is essential to understanding what it means to fully participate in society. That’s why all Upper School students engage in meaningful service to both local and global communities during their time at SAAS gaining confidence, perspective, and a deeper understanding of the impact they can make in the world.

To graduate, students must complete 120 Community Action hours. Adjustments may be made for transfer students or in special circumstances.

Key guidelines:

At least 60 hours must be completed outside the SAAS community (with adjustments for students entering after 9th grade).
All hours must be submitted and verified in Mobilserve within six months of completion.
Hours cannot count if students receive pay or class credit.
Students are encouraged to earn at least 30 hours per year to stay on track.
Hours earned the summer before 9th grade do count toward the requirement.

SAAS Volunteer Opportunities

Students can earn up to a MAXIMUM of 40 hours serving as a Teacher Assistant (TA) for SAAS faculty, an athletic manager, or an art department stage/production assistant. Although students may work more than 40 hours, ONLY up to 40 hours count toward the graduation requirement. Students can do any of the activities mentioned above multiple times, but only a maximum of 40 hours will be recognized toward the graduation requirement. Additional hours credited toward the graduation requirement include peer tutoring and volunteering for SAAS events like Open House and as a student facilitator. One hour spent in the activity will yield one hour of Community Action credit.

Questions about Community Action?

Contact:

Rachel Leavitt-Baron

Community Action Program Coordinator, Upper School Study Skills Teacher

Upper School, All School

Community Action News

Post RSS Feeds Subscribe to Post Alerts

Seattle Academy Student Launches Service Project

Seattle Academy Upper School Students Donate to Bloodworks Northwest!

Community Engagement Organization Hosts Bake Sale to Benefit Seattle Humane

Early Risers? These Volunteers Don’t Mind: SAAS Students, Alumni and Parents Spend Thanksgiving Morning Giving to Seattle’s Homeless

Cardinals Travel Far and Wide For Unique Experiences

Class of 2022 Families Hold a Community Service Weekend