Community-based learning creates engaged citizens. Getting students out of the classroom and into the community ensures that learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends, but spills over into their lives. Biology classes explore real ecosystems like the local tidepools and estuaries. Government classes attend town meetings and get involved with real public policies. Community connections also include volunteering with local organizations like Community Outreach Services on food drives or Rachel Carson Reserve preserving cottontail habitat. In addition to going out into the community, we invite community members into the school on a regular basis: community members serve on Graduation Committees and LEAP Night Feedback Teams.