- Community
- Engagement
Community service has been a bedrock of GDS’s educational mission since the school’s founding. We firmly believe that independent community service helps prepare GDS students for life. Students who interact within and outside of their communities, who have engaged with —and learned about—a variety of individuals, and who have had to think critically about real-world problems, leave GDS prepared for the 21st century with better communication and collaboration skills, an ability to think creatively about the world’s challenges, and tools that empower them to address the systemic inequities that exist in the world.
Goals
Through a focus on community engagement, GDS students will...
- Gain a deepened understanding of inequities and injustice in the world.
- Develop relationships with communities beyond our campus.
- Realize individual and collective agency in meeting the needs of others.
- Advocate for social justice issues through words, art, and action.
- Engage in ongoing reflection.
Signature Programs
HS COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
GDS uses a combination of instruction, service, real-world collaboration, and reflection to inspire students to become fully engaged citizens in diverse communities. Students must complete 60 hours of approved service by senior year.POLICY & ADVOCACY INSTITUTE
For four weeks during June and July, students learn about pressing social justice issues, such as veteran homelessness and affordable housing. Learn More »
CENTRONIA PARTNERSHIP
Third graders visit their buddies from CentroNía (a bilingual preschool) multiple times throughout the year before hosting a final celebration at GDS, building relationships and learning about each others’ languages and cultures.
FAQs
- What makes community engagement different at GDS?
- How is community engagement different from community service and service-learning?
- Is community service required?
- How do we identify opportunities for partnership?
What makes community engagement different at GDS?
How is community engagement different from community service and service-learning?
Is community service required?
How do we identify opportunities for partnership?
Our Stories
In an effort to welcome GDS students in the new year with joy and purpose, we introduce Joyful January x CAN-uary.
High School students were featured yesterday in The Washington Post for their efforts to sign up area students to serve as poll workers on Election Day.
The MLK Teach-In Day takes place in February. STEAM Day kicks off in March. Spring is an exciting semester for rich, all-day experiential learning. So when the Middle School Community Engagement team first met over the summer, we wondered: What mission-aligned experience can we contribute to the fall semester?
Student Action Committee members take on the youth vaping crisis.
Anoushka Chander ’21 and the GDS Student Action Committee move our country forward.
Meet the Team
"Leigh" Tait
Your dedication in making sure students engage in the GDS mission is much appreciated! #ChangeMakers #FutureSocialJusticeLeadersParent of Alum '19
The program fosters important connections between people and helps to develop students as mature, aware individuals.
Ananya, Class of 2018
The Policy Institute was a true gift, providing hands-on experience and intensive work in an area so hard for young people to grasp otherwise.
Susan, Parent of Student '20
Service-learning is important because I am able to connect with communities I don't necessarily see everyday.
Maya, Class of 2022
I was making a real impact in the world.
Talia, Class of 2020