Community Learning Program

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Community Learning Program

The Community Learning Program is an opportunity for students to engage in a meaningful experience through sharing time and talent with community members outside of The Laboratory Schools. In exchange the students gain a greater awareness of life experiences different from their own. Successful completion of this program is a graduation requirement. The program consists of two parts:

Two consecutive quarters of community learning field experience with a written reflection after the first quarter of service and service project reflection following the second quarter of service
a year-long weekly seminar

The program is generally completed during the student's sophomore year.

Community Learning Field Experience
Course Number: 2010
Credit: None
Pre-requisite: None

Community Learning Field Experience consists of two consecutive quarters of weekly involvement at a community institution, school, service agency, church, or hospital for a minimum of an hour visit each week. Students can:

select a site from a group of sites with which the school has an established a relationship or
students may design their own service project with prior approval of the Community Learning Coordinator.

Please indicate on the registration form which quarters you intend to complete your field experience:

Fall
Winter
Spring or
Summer between freshman and sophomore year

Community Learning Seminar
Course Number: 2020

The Community Learning Seminar is a weekly course that is presented through the sophomore advisory program. The course involves discussion, journal writing, role-playing, and other experiential activities that facilitate reflection on the relationship between the individuals and the community.

Peer Leaders will be the facilitators for these weekly seminars. Peer Leaders are juniors and seniors who have completed their program requirements and have received additional leadership training.

NOTE: The Community Learning Coordinator will assist any student who expresses an interest in service.

Community Learning Program - Peer Leaders
Course Number: 2009
Credit: None
Limit: 24 students
Pre-requisites: A junior or senior who has fulfilled his/her community learning requirement, has submitted an application, has been interviewed, has been selected by the Community Learning Coordinator, and is available during freshman/sophomore advisory period

Peer Leaders are juniors and seniors motivated by their interest in experiential learning and a desire to promote community awareness and involvement among their peers. They facilitate the Community Learning Seminar on a weekly basis in conjunction with the sophomore advisory program and provide support and guidance to the students fulfilling their graduation requirements. Peer Leaders educate the school's student body about current social issues through a variety of events and activities.

Peer Leaders are individuals who demonstrate strong leadership, facilitation and communication skills and are able to work alone, as well as work as a team member.

Applications are available during the months of December and early January. Students cannot sign up for this course without the written approval of the Community Learning Coordinator.

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