Service Learning connects our academic curriculum to community problem-solving. Meaningful volunteerism not only actively prepares our students to be civic leaders but also reinforces the curriculum.

Service is an essential part of learning and leadership. Through both local and international projects, students explore real-world challenges and discover how they can make a meaningful difference. Faculty play an active role in guiding these experiences—integrating service into the curriculum, fostering reflection, and helping students connect their learning to the needs of others. Whether volunteering in Chicago or engaging with global communities, students deepen their understanding of social issues and their own power to create positive change.

Students drive many of our community engagement projects, connecting their classroom learning to causes they care about. When they return from the field, they bring their experiences back into classroom discussions and reflections.

Our Service Curriculum culminates in a senior year grade-wide trip abroad. On past trips, students built shelters from recycled plastic bottles and concrete for local residents in the Dominican Republic and learned about organic coffee farming in Guatemala.

Center on Halsted
9th grade students addressed 100 envelopes for thank-you letters to donors and donated 80 handmade blankets by Wolcott students

Nourishing Hope Food Pantry
10th grade students prepared food boxes for clients and packed orders for Nourishing Hope’s Online Market, as well as other miscellaneous warehouse
tasks.

Presbyterian Church Meals Ministry
11th grade students prepared 350 bagged lunches for the Meals Ministry Program run through Fourth Presbyterian in Chicago.

Cradles to Crayons
12th grade students organized and delivered donations that included the
following items: baby clothes, board books, picture books, new arts and crafts supplies, new diapers, wipes, baby hygiene items, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush. Wolcott served over 300 kids with their donations.

One Book-One Wolcott

Every summer, our entire school community reads the same book. On opening day, we turn the whole school over to exploring it—guest speakers, hands-on activities, lively discussions, and surprises throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite traditions because it brings everyone together around shared ideas before the routine of classes begins. It’s an energizing tradition to kick off the year.