Embracing all the world's people with compassion.
Community Service
MICDS prepares young people for higher learning and for lives of purpose and service. Community engagement and service-learning are all-School initiatives with the aim to foster a culture of compassion, empathy, and active citizenship, and to equip our students with the tools, values, and mindset necessary to make a positive impact on the world around them.
We believe our students can and should strive to understand and address local, national, and global needs. By fostering their sense of social responsibility, nurturing their compassion, and empowering them to take action, we prepare them to become active, engaged, and responsible citizens and lifelong advocates for positive change.
Service Projects
Turkey Train
Our annual Thanksgiving community service project is the largest provider of frozen turkeys to the St. Louis Area Food Bank each year, collecting more than 7,500 pounds of turkey and 3,000 pounds of non-perishable food—enough to provide more than 8,000 Thanksgiving Day meals.
Service Projects
Pennies for Peru
Since 2007, MICDS has held an annual collection for the Peruvian American Medical Society to help rebuild a medical clinic following an earthquake in Chincha, Peru, and subsequently, to purchase a dental x-ray machine and outfit its dental unit. MICDS students volunteer at the PAMS Clinic in Chincha through the MICDS Peru Service Learning Program.
Service Projects
Lower School Community Day
Students participate in various service-learning activities. They read books about what it means to be grateful, decorate kindness rocks, create Birthday Bags for children in need, and more.
Service Projects
Coaches vs. Cancer
MICDS basketball coaches, players, and fans come together each year to support the American Cancer Society. Together, their efforts have resulted in raising more than $200,000 to fight cancer.
Service Projects
Service Travel
MICDS leads service travel trips for students to places including Peru and South Africa.
Service Projects
Student-Led Efforts
Students are the ones who lead projects, take action, and educate the MICDS community about issues and challenges meaningful to them.
Service Projects
Upper School Service Clubs
Current student-initiated service clubs include: an African-American Mentoring Program; cross-divisional mentoring programs; MICDS Amnesty International, Best Buddies, Doorstep Donations, Period, and Red Cross chapters; Sustainable Futures environmental club; online tutoring; penpal partnerships with senior citizens in nursing homes; MIST (Mental Illness Support for Teens); Peer Tutoring; BJC Hospice.
Service Projects
Service Hour Requirement
8th Grade: 20 Hours | Upper School: 45 hours over four years. There are many opportunities available through the School, but students are encouraged to find opportunities that reflect a true personal interest or passion.
Service Projects
Upper School Community Service Committee
A branch of the Upper School Student Government that supports the MICDS mission to foster lives of purpose and service in the Upper School. These elected student representatives speak in assemblies to spread awareness and manage a website with volunteer opportunities open to the entire Upper School community.
"Service not only teaches us the importance of giving back to this wonderful community we live in, but, more importantly, helps us discover our values and find out what in our life is most important and meaningful."
Palmer Mihalevich ’20MICDS Student and St. Louis Zoo Volunteer
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Standing for what is good and right
Upper School students are invited to participate in the President's Volunteer Service Award Program, the premier volunteer awards program in the United States that encourages citizens to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national recognition.
