MS Experiential and Service Learning
One of the many unique and innovative attributes of a Parish education is our commitment to Experiential and Service Learning in Middle School. These programs offer specific opportunities for students to enhance their learning beyond the classroom and to cultivate a sense of leadership and service through exploratory trips and purposeful activities.
The cohesive programming of experiential and service components, our strong academic curriculum and the development of each student’s strengths and passions through ParishLeads creates a dynamic environment that helps prepare every student to be a young person of impact.
The experiential education curriculum is purposely designed to focus on a different issue in each grade that aligns with what the students are learning in the classroom.
- 5th Grade: Hunger
- 6th Grade: Literacy
- 7th Grade: Sustainability
- 8th Grade: Elderly, Veterans and Leadership
5th Grade: Hunger
| Experience | Leadership or Service Activities | Connection to Curriculum |
| Collin County Adventure Camp Anna, TX |
Team Building |
Social skills, bonding |
| Enterprise City | Leadership Skills |
Math, Spanish, Humanities |
| North Texas Food Bank* | Food Drive Volunteering time at NTFB |
Humanities - poverty |
*The focus on hunger supports our long-standing relationship (more than 30 years) with the North Texas Food Bank.
6th Grade: Literacy
| Experience | Leadership or Service Activities | Connection to Curriculum |
| Group Dynamix Event Center Carrollton, TX |
Team Building |
Communication |
|
Hindu/Buddhist Temple |
Cultural background to India, China |
Humanities |
| Dallas Museum of Art |
Japanese studies, Art of Asia & Pacific |
Art |
| Perot Museum |
Rocks & Minerals, Energy, Weather |
Science |
7th Grade: Sustainability
As students reach 7th grade their experience becomes more sophisticated; their class trip is a unique experience on Catalina Island off the south coast of California. The Catalina Environmental Leadership Program educates the students on sustainability and Fosters Innovation in Teaching and Learning by leveraging technology, personal relationships and community partnerships.
Here's a video glimpse into our Catalina Trip
| Experience | Leadership or Service Activities | Connection to Curriculum |
| Catalina Environmental Leadership Program Catalina, CA |
Parish Sustainability Program |
Science - life sciences, sustainability |
|
|
Local environmental studies |
Service, Science, Math |
| On-campus | Earth Week, Parish Garden, composting, year round education |
Science - botany, invertebrates; Math - measurement; service; sustainability |
|
|
8th Grade: Elderly, Veterans and Leadership
As students reach 8th grade their experience becomes more sophisticated; their class trip is a long-standing Parish tradition of traveling to Washington, DC and supports all of the principle attributes Parish seeks to instill in its students, especially Living in a Culture of Integrity by reaching out to people in need.
| Experience | Leadership or Service Activities | Connection to Curriculum |
|
Highland Springs |
Partner with Elderly |
Service to others |
| Nation's Capital Washington, D.C. | Firsthand experiences and information gathering; honoring veterans at Arlington National Cemetery |
Social Studies - American History Humanities - Holocaust literature |
|
George Allen Courthouse |
Mock Trials |
Humanities |
| On-campus |
Collection for Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas ParishPals, on-campus mentor program with 5th grade |
Social Studies - 20th & 21st centuries, American Wars Lead with integrity Service |
Catalina Island
In 7th grade, students visit Catalina Island at the end of October and participate in the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program (CELP).
At CELP, students are guided through a series of land and sea explorations, each aimed to bring about a greater understanding and connectedness to self, others and the environment.
Washington D.C.
In 8th grade, students travel to our nation's capital in March. They visit museums, memorials and participate in a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.