That spirit continues all year. The Upper School Service Club, led by librarian Laura Koepp, seeks “activities in which students actively work together and provide service to the community.” Members have baked cookies for homeless teens, made blankets for the Ronald McDonald House, and helped at local parks. Other clubs contribute as well—Señor Cruz’s Spanish Club, for instance, tutors children at La Casa de Esperanza and Bruce Guadalupe School and sells handmade goods from Central America to support indigenous artisans.

Service also flourishes in the Lower and Middle Schools. Ms. Bories-Demmon’s Lower School French students exchange letters with a student in Senegal, learning that “they are connected through the language we study…but also the importance of giving of ourselves and communicating in a global world.” In the Middle School, Mrs. Rebecca Auskings encourages students to see that “while some projects are big and flashy, it’s the small acts of being a good citizen of the world that make the difference.” Her club has collected socks for veterans, shoes for Soles for Africa, and handmade hats and blankets for hospice patients. Students also participate in Five Star Service Week, a summer program devoted entirely to service projects.

Even our youngest learners experience service as part of daily life. Mr. Richard Raney, Primary School Head, explains: “We help children take ownership of their spaces—keeping classrooms tidy, clearing hallways, helping friends, and inviting others to play. Even small things like wiping down a lunch table or holding a door help them see the value of caring for their school and one another.”

Across all divisions, students are guided through stories, discussions, and lived practice to see service as an essential virtue. In the Lower School Heritage books, such as The Quiltmaker’s Journey and Shaking Things Up prompt reflection on kindness, generosity, and responsibility to others. In the Middle School and Upper School, every text prompts discussion of moral issues often of responsibility and service to community. The results are visible every day: visitors frequently comment on the helpfulness, courtesy, and warmth of our students. 

Service is a key aspect of our Star of Character. At Brookfield Academy, it is taught both overtly and subtly—but always intentionally. Through joyful effort and humble action, students learn that true school spirit shines brightest in the service of others.