Service Learning
Purpose
Tower Hill provides a service learning program for students in Tower Tots through 12th grade, as developing character and citizenship is central to our mission. Integrating meaningful community service with education and reflection enriches the learning experience, prepares our students to be responsible citizens and fosters an ethic of service.
Philosophy
Forming sustainable service learning partnerships creates environments for reciprocal learning and allows students to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Experiences that require students to step outside of their comfort zones can have very meaningful and profound impacts on their lives. Learning about themselves and others fosters empathy, breaks down barriers and stereotypes, enhances personal growth and brings about change in the world.
Tower Hill provides regular community outreach opportunities and supports student-driven service projects such as food collections, community clean-ups, book drives and small fundraisers. We have ongoing partnerships with the following organizations:
Boys & Girls Club
DFRC
DFRC
First State Squash
HERC (Hope Educational Resource Center)
Friendship House
Habitat for HumanityHERC (Hope Educational Resource Center)
Lutheran Community Services
Nativity Prep
New Castle County Head Start
Serviam Academy for Girls
Examples of Service Learning Programs
Lower School
Sea Turtle Conservation
Each year the Tower Tots explore the lives of sea turtles in a fun, interdisciplinary unit that incorporates science, art, literacy, dramatic play and service learning. After learning about the sea turtle habitat and hatchlings’ perilous journeys from the nest to the sea, students hold a bake sale to raise enough money to adopt a sea turtle nest and aid conservation efforts. The ongoing project was inspired by teacher Jean Snyder’s experience rescuing sea turtle hatchlings as a volunteer in North Carolina.
Middle School
A hallmark of character education in the Middle School is the yearlong disABILITIES Awareness program for the entire seventh grade. The objective is to present the “ability” side of a “disability” by creating opportunities for seventh-graders to make connections with children and adults in our community with physical or cognitive disabilities. Students take children with special needs bowling, engage in conversation with invited speakers and hold a Sprint Into Spring fundraiser to benefit DFRC.
Learn more
Upper School
DFRC Blue-Gold Club
Tower Hill has been a longtime partner with the Delaware Foundation for Reaching Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities (DFRC), the founders of which were alumni and THS parents. DFRC shares a message of diversity and acceptance throughout Delaware high schools through awareness events including the annual Blue-Gold all-star football game. At Tower Hill, Upper School students hold an annual fashion and talent show to raise funds in support of DFRC.
Learn more
Student Service Spotlight
1/20
