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