Program
Signature Programs

Service Learning

List of 1 items.

  • Cultivating Compassion

Service learning programs from ECLC-Grade 8 support our guiding principles and our mission to prepare students to be engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders. Through studying various subjects related to conservation, sustainability, poverty & inequity and more, students gain empathy for others, while understanding how they can personally make an impact through service in the community.

List of 10 items.

  • Preschool/PreK: Caring for Animals in Need

    Working with the Dumb Friends League, students learn about advocacy and awareness of shelter animals. Students also practice how to interact with dogs safely with visits from the Dumb Friends League “Ambassadogs.”
  • Kindergarten: Stewards of Sustainability

    Kindergarten focuses on the importance of reusing, recycling and composting. They learn how to sort their waste into items that can be returned to the earth (composting), items that can be reused (recycling) and items that go to the landfill. They read about how other communities are repurposing plastic bags, and use plastic bags to stuff their rodeo horses!
  • Grade 1: Birds Enthusiasts

    First graders study all about birds during a comprehensive unit that includes science, Spanish, math, literacy and service. They visit the Bird Conservatory at Barr Lake to experience and participate in bird conservation efforts and work to make the Graland campus more bird-friendly.
  • Grade 2: Pollinator Garden

    Second-grade scientists learn about the importance of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds. They use this information to plant and care for a campus pollinator garden throughout the year.
  • Grade 3: Understanding Who Comes to Colorado and Why?

    Throughout the year in Grade 3, students learn about immigration, refugees, and the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect. During this process, students learn to conduct interviews with empathy before meeting and hearing the stories of immigrants in our community (and beyond). As an outreach element, third graders work with Project Worthmore to create care packages filled with household and hygiene necessities for local refugee families.
  • Grade 4: Disability Awareness & Allyship

    In Grade 4, service learning focuses on both physical and cognitive disabilities. Fourth graders learn to speak comfortably and respectfully about disabilities and partner with non-profit organizations, such as Sammy’s Buddy Program, Freedom Service Dogs, and Special Olympics. In addition, students meet with activists, authors, and disabled community members to digest different perspectives and study the Americans With Disabilities Act to learn the direct link between accessibility and inclusion. Successful participation in the program inspires fourth graders to be lifelong allies.
  • Grade 5: Growing a Tower Garden

    Fifth-grade students learn how to grow a variety of produce in science class and determine how to use this knowledge to support the community.
  • Grade 6: Understanding the Plight of Poverty

    In their math, science, art, English, and history classes throughout the year, sixth graders examine the themes of poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity by engaging in discussions and outreach projects such as serving at the Jewish Family Service's Weinberg Food Pantry. Students then take the information they learned into the broader community by working alongside local non-profits. To end the year, sixth graders host an event known as “Empty Bowls,” which showcases beautiful ceramic bowls they create in art class and raises money for those experiencing hunger in our community.
  • Grade 7: Befriending Elders

    In class, seventh graders learn about the science and impact of Alzheimer’s and honor an elder in their life by creating a visual display that encapsulates their story. Outside of class, students partner with a local organization, A Little Help, to assist seniors with outdoor and home improvement projects.
  • Grade 8: Global Citizens

    In connection with their capstone project, eighth graders collaborate with local organizations that work to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals in our community and beyond.

Other Service Learning Opportunities

In addition to opportunities at each grade level, students can enjoy more service activities throughout the year:

  • Middle School service councils become advocates for various causes such as environmental stewardship.
  • The Graland Parent Association organizes outreach opportunities for our community. 

Eagle Fund Change Makers

Each year, Middle Schoolers have the opportunity to join a year-long class called "Eagle Fund: Change Makers." This class aims to give students a hands-on experience where they collaborate with one another and non-profit leaders to make a lasting impact in the community. The Eagle Fund was founded by eleven Graland alums in 2002 with the common goal of giving back to the Colorado community.

Graland Country Day School

Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.