Service Learning
At PS1 Pluralistic School, service is not a single project or requirement. It is a mindset. From Kindergarten through Sixth Grade, students learn that their actions matter, their voices carry weight, and they have the power to make a real difference in the world around them.
Why Service Matters at PS1
Service Learning helps students develop empathy, purpose, and a lifelong understanding that they can be helpers, advocates, and change-makers. By applying what they learn in meaningful and hands-on ways, students come to see themselves not just as learners but as contributors to their community, people who know how to engage, collaborate, and care.
At PS1, giving back is more than a project. It is a practice rooted in our mission. It is one of the many ways our students learn to build a better world, one thoughtful action at a time.
Meaningful Connections to the Community
Service Learning at PS1 connects classroom learning with purposeful action, helping students understand social responsibility, empathy, and stewardship through authentic, community-centered experiences. Service Learning is woven across the curriculum and grounded in the belief that students learn best by doing. Throughout the year, classes engage in projects that support organizations and communities across Santa Monica and Los Angeles. These projects introduce students to local needs, encourage problem-solving, and inspire a sense of agency and compassion.
Over the years, PS1 students have partnered with many local nonprofits and community groups, including:
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Santa Monica Animal Shelter
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Salvation Army
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Step Up On Second
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Ocean Park Community Center (OPCC)
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SOVA Food Pantry
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Boys & Girls Club
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Sunshine Retirement Home
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Access Books
From advocating for animals to assembling food donations to supporting children’s literacy, students learn that small actions made with care create meaningful and lasting impact.
Student Leadership and Family Partnership
Service at PS1 is a shared effort between students, families, and the school community. Two key groups help bring this work to life:
The Community Service Committee, led by parent volunteers, partners with local organizations and helps coordinate school-wide drives, donation efforts, and hands-on opportunities for families to get involved. Their work strengthens the connection between PS1 and the larger Santa Monica community and ensures that outreach remains thoughtful, responsive, and community-driven.
The Student Leadership Committee brings student voice to the center of service work. Students identify needs, brainstorm project ideas, and help organize schoolwide initiatives including packing care kits, creating cards for seniors, and hosting donation drives. Through leadership roles, they practice collaboration, problem-solving, and the confidence that comes from seeing their ideas make a difference.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.Margaret Mead