Community Service is more than just a requirement for students in grades K-8. Students at all levels, faculty/staff, and families in the St. Stephen’s community are involved in some type of activity that benefits those in need—giving back is just a natural part of the St. Stephen’s culture.

Service is also a part of our Episcopal Identity.  As our hand book states--We teach our students the value of utilizing their gifts and talents for the greater good and benefit of others.  We encourage our students to develop the habit of service because we believe that community service is one of the ways we all make the world a better place in which to live. By meeting and serving those who are less fortunate than ourselves, we better understand the world around us.

All-School Service Events
Students participate in various degrees of service activities depending on their grade level, and there are many service opportunities that are school-wide. One event that garners much attention each year is Base Camp Mission. Generally held in late October, Base Camp is a way for us to come full-circle in teaching our children the St. Stephen's philosophy of servant leadership.  Our goal is to raise $40,000 for the Susan B. McArthur Scholarship Fund for student scholarships. For two days we work various missions on and off campus including a food drive for El Buen Samaritano and mission trip to El Buen also.  Another school-wide service event is the St. Stephen’s Community Service Days in which the whole school: students, members of the school board, parents, parishioners of St. Stephen’s Church, faculty, and staff come together to help “spiff up” the school.  We believe these activities help encourage pride and a sense of ownership in our school.

Community Service in the Pre-K and Intermediate School
The St. Stephen’s Community Service Program for pre-K through 5^th grade is voluntary. Students participate in school organized on-campus and off-campus service activities. At Christmas needy families from the community are adopted by the classes of St. Stephen's.  The students send Christmas cheer to these families with gifts, food and their love. Individual teachers set up opportunities for their students to provide outreach to our soldiers, our elderly, other children, and individuals in need. Kindergarten students decorate a Christmas scene and tree at the Emily Ann Theatre and collect cookies and candy at Easter for the Crisis Breadbasket.  Students also look for opportunities to send goods and school supplies to children around the world.  The Intermediate School hosts quarterly birthday parties honoring the senior members of the St. Stephen's Church. The students plan the parties, create invitations, decorate the parish hall for the event, serve lunch to the guests and spend time visiting with and loving the Seniors who come.  Our hope is that our students learn the joy that comes from giving and carry that with them throughout their lives.

Community Service in the Middle School
In the Middle School, students are asked to complete at least 33.3 hours of service in the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades for a total of 100 or more hours. Students have the opportunity to sign up for an elective community service course during our elective period.  At that time students engage in campus “spiff up,” recycling and/or class mentoring.  They are able to volunteer as study-buddies or help with pre-K activities. Students can also attend organized service trips through St. Stephen’s, or they can volunteer on their own at area shelters, churches, or other non-profit organizations with prior approval from the Middle School Team Leader.  Another service opportunity is the eight grade field trip to Galveston in which the students volunteer to help out at St. Vincent’s pre-K and work there on repair and maintenance.  Also the 8^th graders work with the preschoolers of El Buen Samaritano in southwest Austin. They were able to buy nonperishable goods and educational equipment for El Buen Samaritano and hope to continue this service project in the coming years.  Those students who complete 100 or more volunteer hours graduate from the 8th grade with distinction. Funding for supplies for this student work is from The Meadow’s Foundation.