All-School Service Learning Project Engaging Students in Community-Based Impact

Each spring, St. Margaret’s brings together students, faculty, and families for its All-School Service Learning Project, a cornerstone program designed to connect learning with meaningful service. The initiative is intentionally structured to address authentic needs identified by a community partner, foster collaboration across divisions, and unite the school around a shared purpose rooted in empathy, dignity, and action.

This year, the school has partnered with Unidos South OC, a San Juan Capistrano–based nonprofit dedicated to cultivating a resident-led movement toward a thriving neighborhood. Founded in 2017, Unidos works primarily within the Capistrano Villas neighborhood and is guided by four key distinctives: being neighborhood-based, data-driven, faith-fueled, and resident-led. 

Now midway through the four-month project that began in November, students across all divisions are actively engaged in learning experiences and collaborative service efforts that connect classroom instruction to real-world impact.

The focus of this year’s partnership is supporting one of Unidos South OC’s most pressing needs: the creation of a dedicated gathering space for adolescent youth. In addition to Casa Unidos, which currently serves as both staff housing and a programming site, Unidos recently purchased a second property that will function as a staff residence, programming hub, and youth gathering space. The organization is working closely with neighborhood residents to renovate the property in a way that reflects their needs and voices—an effort St. Margaret’s students are helping to support.

As part of St. Margaret’s student contributions have been a collaborative tile-design project. Working through cross-division groups, pairing Lower School and Upper School students, small teams are designing decorative tiles intended for installation in the new youth lounge. Inspired by global traditions in which tiles tell the story and spirit of a home, students were invited to consider what message of welcome and belonging they would want someone to feel upon entering the new space. The completed tiles will be sealed and shared with Unidos for use in the renovation.

A unique addition to this year’s service learning project is a pilot integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) that are a significant part of Lower School programming. The Global Goals have been woven into student learning across divisions to help frame local service work within a global context.

For the Unidos partnership, St. Margaret’s students are exploring five specific goals:

During community time, student leaders have been guiding peers through questions such as which Global Goals align with Unidos’ work and why having a shared gathering space strengthens a neighborhood. Through these discussions, students are connecting the organization’s local, resident-led work to broader global efforts toward equity, health, and community well-being.

John Chapman, Co-Executive Director of Unidos South OC, remarked on the impact of the partnership. “The highlight is the students,” Mr. Chapman said. “Seeing the students present Unidos South OC at the All-School assembly, as they articulated the vision and understanding of the importance of approaching our neighbors with dignity and love, made it clear they are grasping the values.” 

Mr. Chapman continued to express how the service learning project is more than a service project. “It engages students not in a one-time action to feel good, but in a lifelong commitment to playing their part in making the world a better place for all to thrive, no matter their economic status, education level, or country of birth.”

As the project continues through March, St. Margaret’s students across all divisions will develop a deeper understanding of what it means to serve their community. The All-School Service Learning Project will conclude in March at the All-School Spring Service.