Want your child to be more successful in the classroom and ultimately in life? Don't just tell them to hit the books—excessive studying leads to burnout. Instead, tell them to head out into the community to help others.
While completing community service projects, students develop real-world skills that will help them succeed in middle school, high school and beyond. They practice:
Most importantly, students learn that the work they do can make a real impact in the world. By getting involved in community service at a young age, children also:
Volunteering is an essential part of preparing students to "take responsibility as open minded, principled citizens in a global community." While performing community service, children have the opportunity to see first-hand just how much their work can have an impact on the world. Many of our students at Invictus volunteer locally at food shelves, animal shelters, in retirement communities, and even at orphanages abroad. They get to interact with people who have vastly different backgrounds, and learn patience and empathy as they develop a global perspective.
Community service gives students an opportunity to explore academic interests through a real world lense. If a child is intrigued when he or she learns about recycling in school, for example, they can pick up recyclables from local businesses and take them to a local recycling center to see the impact firsthand.
Our students connect what they're learning in school to issues that actually matters in real life, they throw themselves into learning. Research also back this up. Studies show that students who give back to the community perform better in school, particularly in subjects such as math, reading, and history. Furthermore, students who participate in community service are also more likely to graduate from high school.
When Invictors get involved in community service, they not only help others — they expand their worldview, develop empathy and leadership skills, and realize how their actions can have a positive impact. They also return to the classroom realizing how what they’re learning applies to the real world, which reinvigorates their passion for learning.
That’s why we believe community service is important for students. Not just for the positive impact they can make on the world — but also for the positive impact volunteering has on them.