At Acton Academy Columbus, community service is more than just an extracurricular activity—it’s a fundamental part of how we nurture empathy, leadership, and a sense of responsibility in our learners. Recently, our entire school came together for a heartwarming project: making blankets for foster children through the organization My Very Own Blanket. This all-school initiative allowed learners of all ages, from the Spark Studio (ages 4.5–7) to the Adventure Studio (middle schoolers), to collaborate and create 14 blankets that will bring warmth and comfort to children in need.

The project was a beautiful example of what makes our school special: older learners mentoring younger ones, all while working toward a common goal. The Adventure Studio Eagles stepped up to guide and assist the Spark Studio Eagles, embodying the values of leadership and compassion that are at the core of our mission.

Learning Through Service: Why It Matters

At Acton Academy Columbus, we believe that community service is a powerful way to teach learners about the importance of helping others. Through hands-on projects, they not only learn practical skills but also gain a deeper understanding of the world beyond their own experiences. Engaging with service projects helps learners develop empathy, strengthen their communication and teamwork abilities, and recognize the impact they can have on their community.

Making blankets for foster children through My Very Own Blanket was an especially meaningful experience. These blankets are more than just functional items—they’re a message of care and love to children going through challenging times. Knowing that their efforts would make a difference in someone’s life made the project deeply personal for our learners.

The Acton Difference: Collaboration Across Studios

What made this project particularly unique was how it brought together learners from all of our studios—Spark, Growth (lower elementary), Discovery (upper elementary), and Adventure (middle school). Collaboration across age groups is a hallmark of the Acton model, and this project showcased how powerful that can be.

Our middle schoolers in the Adventure Studio were instrumental in mentoring the younger learners, guiding them through the steps of creating the blankets and ensuring that everyone could contribute meaningfully. The Spark Studio Eagles, many of whom are still developing fine motor skills, were thrilled to have “big kids” helping them tie knots and assemble the blankets. The Growth and Discovery Studio Eagles worked diligently alongside their peers, demonstrating teamwork and focus.

This inter-studio collaboration not only strengthened relationships within our community but also reinforced important life skills like patience, encouragement, and the joy of teaching and learning from one another.

A History of Service at Acton Academy Columbus

While the blanket-making project was a highlight, it is just one example of how we prioritize service at Acton Academy Columbus. Over the years, our learners have been involved in a variety of initiatives, each designed to give back to the community while fostering personal growth.

• Seeds of Caring: On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, our learners participated in a special Day of Service in partnership with Seeds of Caring. They engaged in meaningful activities designed to help children understand the values of kindness, inclusion, and justice that Dr. King stood for. This event gave learners an opportunity to reflect on his legacy and practice giving back in tangible ways.

• Dublin Food Pantry: Learners have organized food drives and volunteered to sort and distribute items, learning about food insecurity and the importance of addressing hunger in our local community.

• Feed the Kids Columbus: Through this program, learners have helped prepare meals for children who might otherwise go hungry. It’s a hands-on way for them to understand the impact of their efforts and the realities faced by many families in our city.

• The Confetti Foundation: One of our most creative service projects involved making handmade cards for children in the hospital. Learners poured their artistic talents into creating cheerful, personalized messages to brighten the days of young patients.

These projects not only teach our learners about social issues but also provide them with opportunities to take action and see the results of their efforts. By engaging with organizations that address different needs, our learners gain a well-rounded perspective on the many ways they can contribute to their community.

Service as a Core Value

Community service is woven into the fabric of our school because it aligns with our core values of empathy, leadership, and contribution. We want our learners to understand that they are part of something bigger than themselves and that their actions, no matter how small, can make a difference.

Service projects like making blankets for foster children help learners connect their personal values with real-world action. They learn that kindness isn’t just a word—it’s something you do. Leadership isn’t just about standing at the front—it’s about lifting others up.

Reflection and Growth

An essential part of every project at Acton Academy Columbus is reflection. After completing the blanket-making project, learners took time to share their thoughts about the experience. For many, the most memorable aspect was knowing that their efforts would directly benefit children who needed comfort. Others reflected on the joy of working together and the new friendships they formed while tying knots and chatting about their days.

One Spark Studio Eagle shared, “I liked when the older kids helped me. It made me feel like we were all a big team.” An Adventure Studio learner added, “It felt good to do something for someone else, and I liked teaching the younger kids how to tie the knots.”

These reflections show how much the learners gained—not just in terms of skills but also in understanding the importance of service and the value of teamwork.

Looking Ahead: More Opportunities to Give Back

Our commitment to service doesn’t stop here. As we look ahead, we’re excited to explore new projects and partnerships that allow our learners to continue making a difference. Whether it’s volunteering, fundraising, or creating something with their own hands, we know that these experiences will shape them into thoughtful, compassionate leaders.

At Acton Academy Columbus, we’re not just preparing learners for academic success. We’re preparing them to lead lives of purpose and meaning. Service projects like the blanket-making initiative and our partnership with Seeds of Caring are a reminder that when we come together as a community, we can create something truly beautiful—for ourselves and for others.

Through these experiences, our learners learn an invaluable lesson: the joy of giving. And in giving, they discover their own capacity to change the world, one small act of kindness at a time.