Benefits for Students

Children increase their motivation to learn when they see their capacity to make a difference in the world. Full-Circle Learning infuses purpose into every aspect of learning. Each project reinforces the current habit-of-heart and culminates in a local or international service project. For instance, when the habit-of-heart is sacrifice, math/science lessons include buying fruit to raise the blood sugar of those who make the ultimate sacrifice—voluntary blood donors.

The integrated lesson plans encourage students to develop social skills, bonds and leadership capacities that prepare them for success as tomorrow’s compassionate leaders. They help students develop habits of lifelong learning and giving as they experience new fulfillment in discovering and applying their talents. Full-circle learning helps them link academic work and arts to real-world service projects and the study of ethics.

Benefits for Communities

Training children to give back to society presents benefits for adults as well. Personnel at each site customize the program to meet real community needs, often linking people of varying ages and backgrounds with students in meaningful ways. For instance, seniors can serve as mentors and adopted grandparents who share their own life experience.

Guest presenters and thematic, service-based trips expand the children's horizons and sense of their own potential. Families develop leadership skills as parents learn from the children. Volunteers find fulfillment as they model the traits and goals needed for an ever-advancing civilization.

Monitoring Progress

The original full-circle learning site, sponsored by the Children’s Enrichment Program, has measured its success in several ways:

• Pre- and post- academic assessments (WRAT-and Gray Oral Reading) at the pilot site consistently show that at least 75% of the students improve grade equivalency over their first year; more than half increase by multiple grade levels over two or more years.
  
  
• Summer school parent surveys suggest growth in virtually every student either academically, socially or in both ways over just one summer school session.
  
  
• Public school teachers indicate higher accountability, leadership, and conflict resolution skills for their students enrolled in the program over the years. They often recommend the program for students struggling either socially or academically. A social case worker commented that foster children enrolled in the program multiple years thrived more than any clients she had ever had.