Independent schools are tied to the broader community and nation in a variety of ways. But what level of commitment should schools make to the world beyond their campuses? And what form should the initiatives take?
To better understand how independent schools have been working with their communities through community service programs, service learning, green/sustainable projects, partnerships/collaborations with other schools, summer programs, and other outreach initiatives, NAIS surveyed member schools. The results are highlighted in the 2013 NAIS Study on Public Purpose at Independent Schools.
The survey report, written by Amada Torres, vice president for research at NAIS, includes descriptions of programs at independent schools, the challenges schools face when implementing programs, the levels of student participation, the degree of success at integrating programs into the curriculum, and the overall beneficial outcomes of the programs — among other topics.
The findings show that virtually all of the 402 schools that responded to the survey offer public- service programs of one kind or another. These programs vary in nature from green/sustainability projects and social service work to partnerships with local nonprofits, summer programs, and teaching and mentoring relationships with students from other schools.
Most school officers responding to the survey view public purpose as an integral part of their schools' missions. Sixty-seven percent say that public purpose programs are reflected in their schools' strategic plans. For more than half of the schools (56 percent), community service of one kind or another is a graduation requirement.
How do these schools view the benefits of these service programs? Most frequently cited answers include: preparing citizen leaders, expanding the school's impact in the community, increasing school awareness, better understanding of the challenges faced by communities, and developing leaders who demonstrate service ethics.
For more details — including the funding, administration, and evaluation of public-purpose programs — read the 2013 NAIS Study on Public Purpose at Independent Schools at www.nais.org.