Richland District Two Service Learning Program
Lead Learn And Serve

Mission

To promote leadership, character development, civic responsibility and student achievement through academic-based community service learning experiences.

Richland Two’s service learning program, called Lead, Learn and Serve, has emerged as a cornerstone for integrating leadership, character development, and civic action into both co-curricular and curricular efforts within district schools. The best education practice is that which effectively integrates academic studies with character, leadership, and civic engagement (including service-learning) so that each effort supports the other.

Service learning is a common thread linking age groups, grade levels, and academic disciplines in Richland School District Two.  Each year, district staff members engage thousands of students in a variety of projects such as drug prevention education, mentoring and tutoring younger students, including those with special needs; spending time with and assisting the elderly; fundraising and conducting charitable drives; helping with environmental concerns, and many other efforts which address myriad social problems.

Richland Two is proud to offer service learning opportunities in more than twenty-five school sites from pre-kindergarten to adult education.  District schools have gained special recognition at local, state and national levels from numerous legislative, educational, civic and community partners that seek to strengthen and sustain service learning and civic engagement in our schools.

Studies indicate that service-learning positively influences young people's academic, social and personal development. When linkages between service and learning are intentional and quality practices are implemented, research suggests that students experience positive in the areas of

• Civic Responsibility
• Academic Skills
• Workplace Readiness Skills
• Personal and Social Skills (Such as respect for diversity, self-efficacy and resilience.

Billig, RMC Research, 2004 

District Mission

Richland School District Two in partnership with the Northeast Columbia community guarantees each student a quality education by providing appropriate and challenging learning experiences to equip each individual for life-long learning, responsible citizenship, and productivity in an ever-changing world.

District wide service learning efforts not only tie effectively into the District Two Mission, but also into education initiatives such as school-to-careers, character and citizenship education, as well as state and federal legislation focusing on meeting academic standards and raising achievement levels.  Therefore, these efforts play a natural role in helping meet District Two Strategic Aims.

• Excellence in Student Learning
• Meeting Diverse Student Needs
• Safe and Secure Environment
• Quality Teachers and Personnel
• Effective Leadership and Management Sources
• School, Parent, Student and Community Partnerships

Click here for a diagram of the Richland School District Two LLS Infrastructure.

Contact:   Beverly C. Hiott, Lead Teacher for Service Learning & Civic Engagement
                 Richland School District Two 6831 Brookfield Road Columbia, SC 29206
                 Phone: (803) 699-3500 ext 5823 Email: bhiott@svh.richland2.org