Tutoring, providing services for the elderly, collecting donations for charities, maintaining the school’s website, starting recycling programs, and holding school fundraisers – these are just a few examples of community service projects completed by Linworth students. Even planning rock concerts for the Open Shelter can contribute toward community service hours.

From the very beginning, a part of Linworth’s philosophy has been to encourage students to perform community service and give back to the community and world. As with most things at Linworth, Community Service opportunities do not come from a menu. In order to meet the expectation of 20 hours logged each year, students are encouraged to seek out interests of their own and pursue them.

At times, groups of students have become involved in ongoing group projects. Worthington’s curbside recycling program has its roots in Linworth. The St. John’s tutoring program and Hamilton Avenue Elementary After School Program are examples of Linworth projects that initially involved a few students which then expanded to include large numbers over many years.

Community service is one of three organized strands of experiential education at Linworth, and in some ways is the most personal. Students choose the programs to which they will give their time and selves, and what they gain from their involvement goes beyond what credit they may receive for the hours they log. By their choices, students direct their curriculum; by the experiences they have, the curriculum may direct the students.