Creating Community at Laurel Hill School
A School with Heart, Purpose, and Global Perspective
At Laurel Hill School, we believe that education should not only develop the mind, but also cultivate the heart. Creating community—within our school and beyond—is a central part of our identity. Through purposeful social action and rich thematic study, students learn to be compassionate leaders, thoughtful citizens, and powerful changemakers.
Social Action Projects
Laurel Hill students don't just learn about the world—they act in it. Through organized social action initiatives, our students work together to support local, national, and global communities in meaningful, hands-on ways. Guided by their teachers, students engage in real-world issues, learning about the people and places affected by each cause through classroom lessons, storytelling, and case studies.
Our students have proudly:
Supported the Heifer Project to advance farming education around the world
Raised funds for families affected by natural disasters
Built a schoolhouse and funded a teacher in a remote village in Madagascar
Provided daily lunches for 100 children in Ethiopia for an entire year
Funded home schools for girls in Afghanistan where education is otherwise denied
Purchased the freedom of chattel slaves in Mauritania
Donated to local food pantries, hospitals, and hospice organizations
Collected and delivered essential supplies to first responder rescue workers
Organized charity drives and community outreach campaigns
Through these projects, Laurel Hill students come to understand the impact of empathy, the value of initiative, and the true meaning of global citizenship.
Thematic Studies: A School-Wide Learning Adventure
At Laurel Hill, education is more than segmented subjects—it’s a shared journey. Thematic Studies are annual, school-wide curriculum enrichment projects that bring students together across grade levels to explore important ideas through literature, history, science, and the arts.
Each theme is immersive, interdisciplinary, and deeply engaging. Past themes have included:
Black History & Social Justice
Students explore the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Black Americans through history, activism, and culture. Lessons focus on equity, civic engagement, and the power of voice.
Poetry
From Robert Frost to Langston Hughes, students study the great poets—and then become poets themselves. Original work is recited, published, and celebrated in a school-wide anthology.
Earth Day & Environmental Stewardship
Students dive into ecology, sustainability, and the natural world. Through science projects, community clean-ups, and Earth Day celebrations, they become advocates for our planet.
Election Year "Great Debates"
A hallmark of Laurel Hill’s thematic programming, this event transforms students into young statesmen and stateswomen. Assuming the roles of real political figures, students research, prepare, and present formal debates on key national issues—developing public speaking skills, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation of civic life.
Classic Classics
An imaginative journey through beloved childhood literature, this theme explores the timeless power of stories. Students analyze structure and voice, write in the style of master authors, and bring characters to life through performance and art.
Shakespeare
The Bard comes alive at Laurel Hill! Students study hallmark Shakespearean plays, then write and perform original pieces using Elizabethan language. Partnering with professional teaching artists, students build literacy, drama, and confidence—all while having a great time on stage.
Whether they are writing poetry, engaging in debate, planting gardens, or raising awareness across the globe, Laurel Hill students learn the power of community. They discover that their voices matter—and that their actions can change the world.
