Achievement in academics is one component of the CHA mission. Character development is another. The CHA student is well-rounded, active in both the classroom and the community. We expect our students to become active participants in the world, not merely observers. At every grade level, from preschool through eighth grade, the students participate in numerous service based learning projects. The goals of CHA community service projects are: gaining awareness of the needs in one's community; learning how to volunteer in one's community; developing life-long skills in helping others; and performing active service in the community.

School wide, there are several projects in community service. Canned food drives and clothing drives are annual activities where CHA students collect and deliver much needed items to local food banks and charities. CHA's school chorus performs at several retirement and assisted living homes during the holiday season, bringing music and smiles to the residents.

Within each of CHA's school divisions, students focus on particular service efforts. In our Early Childhood Division, the students have selected the Muscular Dystrophy Association in their community as their ongoing student service project. Each spring they raise money for MDA with a Hop-A-Thon. Our Early Childhood students have a lot of fun while hopping as many times as they can. The teachers and parents help the children understand that they are helping to raise money so that all children their age can one day hop and that money will ensure that muscular dystrophy will be non-existent in the world someday. In the Lower School, Pennies for Patients is a yearly event where students collect contributions from other students.

In Middle School, the students make a commitment to one particular organization or cause each year. Active service and fundraising are the two components of the year long effort. Special Olympics, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Operation Gratitude and M.E.N.D. (Meet Each Need with Dignity) are some of the recent programs for which the students performed service.

CHA students rally to provide relief when national or global disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita occur. Kid care packages were shipped to the Gulf Coast containing a personal note from a student along with a book, toy, and personal hygiene items. These packages were put together by students at all grade levels. The CHA Student Council orchestrated this effort. In addition, Katrina bracelets were sold to raise money for the Red Cross to aid victims.

At CHA, we firmly believe that these efforts in community service are an integral part of each student's education and development. While at CHA, students grow from young children into young adults and leave here as informed, intelligent and responsible citizens.

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