Notre Dame San Jose includes Community Service Learning as part of its graduation outcomes to prepare each young woman to be socially responsible and answer the call to be a person of justice. We constantly strive to create a mutually beneficial program for the community and our students, and to connect Notre Dame’s curriculum with service that our students understand. What they learn in the classroom not only highlights areas where social activism would benefit the community, but also prepares them for the task of service. Our Community Service Learning Program meets Notre Dame’s mission, the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and teaches our students what they need to know for life - and the importance of giving to the community in which they live.

Program requirements are determined at each grade level. Students are expected to serve at one approved agency for the school year. Direct service with clients is required.

Freshman Year

Freshmen attend the Frosh Day of Service and provide 10 hours of service with women and children. Activities can include tutoring, teaching, mentoring, and providing service at an agency event. Filing or grading papers does not count towards required hours. For a list of approved freshmen agencies, click here.

Freshman Service Fact Sheet
Freshmen Intent to Serve Form

Sophomore Year

Sophomores provide 15 hours of service with marginalized and vulnerable populations during the school year. Students serve with the elderly, the differently-abled, refugees, or migrant workers. For a list of approved sophomore agencies, click here.

Sophomore Intent to Serve Form

Junior Year

Juniors complete 20 hours of service at one agency addressing a local issue of the student's choice (i.e. environment, health care/hospital work, immigration, literacy, or poverty). 10 hours may be completed during the summer prior to junior year. Activities include park or beach clean-ups, planting trees, participating in an advocacy campaigns, volunteering at agency events, volunteering at a hospital, and serving meals to the poor. For a list of approved junior agencies, click here.

Junior Intent to Serve Form

Senior Service Learning Project

Every Notre Dame senior is required to participate in the Senior Service Learning Project. Students are strongly encouraged to begin work or complete the project during the summer between junior and senior year.

The project will provide students the opportunity to:

• Gain experience in social activism and advocacy
• Grow in understanding of justice and personal formation as members of a community beyond Notre Dame
• Use talents and knowledge to fullness in service for others
• Become more open to growth and pursuit of leadership
• Understand how one walks with two feet of justice.

For SSLP information and documents please click here.