High School

Get Involved!

U-High students can get involved in various community engagement experiences:

  • Volunteer at one of our community partner organizations
  • Participate in service learning experiences offered by teachers
  • Sign up for group service opportunities offered on weekends and after school
  • Collaborate with community organizations for May Project

Sophomore Year of Service

Students’ sophomore year is uniquely dedicated to service, and successful completion of the program is a graduation requirement. Students who transfer to U-High after their sophomore year are asked to meet with the Service Learning Coordinator to determine a service plan.

At the beginning of their sophomore year, students will select a community organization where they commit to 30 hours of service over the course of the year. Students can select from an approved list of partner organizations or propose a new service site to the Service Learning coordinator. All service forms must be approved before a student can start his or her service. With the guidance of the Service Learning coordinator, students will be responsible for coordinating a service schedule that works for both the student and the organization.

Students in the Service Learning program are required to:

  • Participate in reflection discussions through advisory
  • Turn in a signed time sheet at the end of each quarter
  • Complete a written reflection in the middle of their service
  • Complete a reflection project following the second part of their service

Where students served in 2021–2022:

  • Hyde Park Refugee Project
  • Hyde Park Neighborhood Club
  • Plant Chicago
  • Eye to Eye
  • ACE Tutoring
  • America SCORES
  • FORA (Foraging Opportunities for Refugees in America)
  • Greater Chicago Food Depository
  • Habitat ReStore
  • La Rabida Children’s Hospital
  • MetroSquash
  • NKO Charter School
  • Southside YMCA
  • Sue Duncan Children’s Center
  • Vital Bridges
  • 6th Ward Alderman’s office
  • Chinese American Service League
  • Cedar Creek Health
  • Columbia Sailing School
  • Fed with Grace
  • Field Museum
  • Firebird Art Center
  • Gentleman’s Closet
  • Hunger Programs at Union Church
  • Jewish Enrichment Center
  • KAM Isaiah Israel
  • KEEN Chicago
  • Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry)
  • M3 Aquatics
  • Partners for Progress Therapeutic Equestrian Center
  • PAWS Chicago
  • Pilsen Wellness Center
  • St. Pius Food Pantry
  • South Suburban Humane Society
  • Temple Sholom
  • United People’s Group
  • Upcycling Colors
  • Working Bikes
  • XS Tennis & Education Foundation