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Upper Arlington Schools students serve and lead through service-learning

Service learning has long been a cornerstone of the Upper Arlington Schools educational experience—a year-long commitment for students and staff that connects learning with meeting real community needs. This tradition has spanned decades and will continue to grow as part of the district’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.

Through service learning, students tackle real-world challenges that directly tie to their classroom studies. They gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, learning the lifelong importance of service while honing academic skills in literacy, math, science, social studies and more.

Every year, extraordinary service-learning projects come to life across Upper Arlington’s schools. Here are a few recent examples of projects rooted in this long-standing tradition.

 

Buckeyes for a Purpose

At Barrington Elementary, the 4th Grade Progressive classes partnered with the multiple disabilities classroom for a meaningful service-learning project called Buckeyes for a Purpose, formerly Buckeye Bonanza. Focused on raising disability awareness and fostering inclusivity, this month-long initiative was inspired by their shared read-aloud, Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper, a powerful story about a young girl with cerebral palsy who strives to overcome societal misconceptions.

Students researched and created products to raise awareness about autism, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness and Down syndrome. Their efforts aimed to fund an adaptive bike for Barrington students with disabilities and support the launch of a Best Buddies Chapter at the school.

To enrich the experience, the students have engaged with organizations such as Special Olympics, Goodwill’s Adult Day Services, Adaptive Sports Connection and Best Buddies. This project exemplifies the transformative power of service learning — connecting classroom lessons to real-world impact.

 

Rock-a-thon collaboration

At Greensview Elementary School, the fourth grade classes have carried on a remarkable tradition for more than 20 years through their Rock-a-thon service-learning project. Focused on providing basic necessities to families in need in the Columbus area, this project exemplifies the power of compassion and collaboration.

This year, Greensview’s first grade classes joined in to support the effort by hosting a bracelet sale. The funds they raised from Greensview students and families were used to purchase items for personal care kits, which will be donated alongside the fourth-graders’ Rock-a-thon contributions to families served by the YMCA.

Together, these projects teach students the importance of serving others while fostering teamwork, creativity and a deeper connection to their community.

 

Veterans Day celebrations

During the month of November, Upper Arlington Schools students welcomed hundreds of current and former service members for annual Veterans Day celebrations. These events not only are a way to honor and thank veterans in students’ families and the community but also offer a deeply impactful learning experience for students. 

At Hastings and Jones middle schools, in particular, this long-standing tradition allows eighth-grade students to expand their knowledge about the role of veterans in American history. Middle school educators, students and veterans shared more about what this experience means to them in this video

“This is a huge honor for all the kids here to be around all these veterans that have helped our country and served our country,” Drew, a student at Hastings Middle School, shared.

Beyond their dedication to service-learning projects, Upper Arlington students consistently find ways to give back to others through community service outside of the classroom. In 2024 alone, students in grades 6 through 12 contributed more than 44,000 hours of service, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and strengthening their communities. This remarkable commitment highlights the generosity and drive of Upper Arlington students to serve and lead in their communities.

  • Barrington Elementary School
  • Greensview Elementary School
  • Hastings Middle School
  • Jones Middle School
  • Service Learning