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At Savannah Country Day, each student lives by the motto, Service Through Knowledge and Character. That’s why community service is an essential component in the education of each Savannah Country Day student.

Service learning gives students the chance to see beyond themselves and their close-knit families and groups of friends to see the larger world of which they are a part. Community service experience also serves to reinforce what is learned in the classroom.

But service isn’t a requirement. It’s an expectation. And our students never fail to meet that expectation. Whether it’s organizing a blood drive and then lining up to donate, or traveling over spring break to build houses with Habitat for Humanity, our students treat their community service commitments with the same determination and professionalism that they treat their studies.

And just as the rewards reaped from diligent study and high academic performance are many, so are those reaped from helping others. Perhaps even greater, if you ask our students.

Student Service Trips

Savannah Country Day has recently partnered with Shoulder-to-Shoulder, a non-profit that partners with schools, to create dynamic, experiential summer courses that focus on service and global citizenship. Students serve “shoulder-to-shoulder”, with expert non-profit leaders and their communities and work directly on projects to make a long-lasting impact. 

All interested Savannah Country Day students should contact Rob Curran or Christine Hefner for more information.

 

News

MLK Day of Service
MLK Day of Service

What an incredible morning of service learning in honor of MLK Day of Service! For the third year in a row, students of all ages partnered with nearly 30 Savannah-area nonprofits for hands-on projects on and off campus. From making dog treats for One Love Animal Rescue to stocking shelves at Over the Moon Diaper Bank, our Hornets lived our mission of “Service through Knowledge and Character.” A huge thank-you to our community partners for inspiring our students to serve with grateful hearts.

Annual Orchestra Service Trip
Annual Orchestra Service Trip

Upper School Choir and Orchestra students spent the weekend in Pasco County, Florida, on their annual service trip supporting Farmworkers Self-Help, Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering migrant farmworker families through education and community programs. After spending last week’s school-wide MLK Day of Service learning how to teach music to others, students put those skills into action by teaching music, leading activities, and creating arts and crafts with children in the community, highlighting how the arts can be meaningful tool for connection and service.

Shoulder-to-Shoulder Program
Shoulder-to-Shoulder Program

SCDS and Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder are moving into the fourth year of partnership, supporting the school’s commitment to developing students of character, integrity, and service. Upper School students have the opportunity to participate in thoughtfully designed learning experiences that extend well beyond travel.

Through Shoulder-to-Shoulder, students:

  • Work in small, tech-free groups with close mentorship
  • Collaborate alongside community leaders on real-world challenges
  • Develop empathy, leadership, and a strong sense of responsibility
  • Earn meaningful service hours through authentic, community-based engagement

We are pleased to announce that Christine Hefner, Upper School Art and Service Learning Coordinator and returning Shoulder-to-Shoulder course mentor, will lead the Nepal Program in summer 2026. Applications are open now (rolling admissions through May 1st), but programs fill quickly. Click here to explore 2026 programs and apply today.

Literary Savannah Class Service Project
Literary Savannah Class Service Project

As part of their summer reading, students in the Literary Savannah elective read The Kingdoms of Savannah, a novel that explores the experiences of the city’s unsheltered community. To connect the text to real-world service, students gathered in the Triol Cafeteria to prepare sandwiches for Emmaus House Shelter. The effort was guided by Emmaus House representative and Hornet alum Jordan (Neely) Chase ’96, who shared insights into the organization’s mission. This project was a powerful reminder of how knowledge and service go hand in hand. 

Service Learning Coordinators

Mrs. Courtney Aliotta

Ms. Christine Hefner