The following identifies Bellingham School District's Essential Student Learnings and their alignment with the teaching strategy of Service Learning. 

Bellingham School District graduates will be:

who successfully apply academic, intellectual, artistic, and practical learning to create quality products and performances.

Correlation with Service Learning: Students engaged in Service Learning apply classroom-learned knowledge and skills to the world outside leading to the creation of quality products that meet their needs and the needs of the community. Student products include journals, portfolios, murals and other artifacts identifying their personal learning progress. Community products include creating community gardens, building shelters, and refurbishing structures.

who apply their communication skills and processes effectively and in a variety of ways and settings.

Correlation with Service Learning: All Service Learning projects engage students in communication in a variety of ways and settings. Most projects are done within small groups and demand communication and decision-making skills. Creating and implementing community needs assessments require students to communicate with a broad range of individuals and organizations and to determine processes and corresponding products. The reflection activities require communicating in a variety of methods (e.g., writing, presenting to small and large audiences, etc.)

who are able to think analytically and creatively, solve problems and make decisions.

Correlation with Service Learning: Service Learning engages students in group processes requiring them to solve problems and make decisions with community partners. Processes such as needs assessments, project development plans, reflection, and assessment require analyzing information from various sources in order to solve the problem or make a decision.

who can work successfully with diverse individuals and groups.

Correlation with Service Learning: Service Learning requires students to interact with in-and out-of-school groups to assess community needs, identify existing resources, and develop effective partnerships. Outcomes of Service Learning include a greater recognition of individual and group differences and the celebration of their diverse assets and complementary needs. Service Learning provides opportunities for students to work with others who may be different from themselves (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, etc.). More importantly, the value of such collaborative efforts may be clearer when the work is real and has a positive effect on the community.

who are informed and apply knowledge to improve the quality of their lives and communities.

Correlation with Service Learning: The nature of Service Learning orients students to become responsible citizens. Students learn to be active participants in community problem-solving and are encouraged to create projects that develop long-term solutions. Corresponding reflection sessions require students to engage in the "what?" and "why?" of their work.

who are self-directed and apply learning confidently and successfully to new and different situations and tasks in preparation for a changing world and workplace.

Correlation with Service Learning: Service Learning encourages students to be self-directed and apply their knowledge and skills to new and different situations. Reflection activities require students to consider multiple and long-range applications in response to changing circumstances.