In Upper School, the ASH Rosary Center for Social Justice (CSJ) recognizes the following areas of service learning. 

1. Religion & Spirituality: 
Examples of religious and spirituality service projects include altar server, choir member, lector, Eucharistic minister, Youth ministry board member, Catechist, and social ministry board member. These positions are of leadership quality due to training and the learning of skill set towards leadership. They likewise serve the Church community on a weekly basis.

2. Community Service:
his area covers direct service of all volunteering by students with an agency or organization that directly works with and helps the poor or vulnerable with meeting their needs. Examples would be Soup Kitchens, food and clothing pantries, distribution of food to the homeless and those in temporary shelters, working with differently abled people, and visiting Senior Citizens. Likewise, all camp counseling, mentoring and tutoring programs and projects are considered direct service to others.

3. Environmental Projects:
This area encourages and recognizes students to be good stewards to the Creation, the world in which we live alongside other sentient beings in the ever-connected web of life. We are called to stewardship and to live in harmony with all of God’s creation! Projects that promote environmentalism and the care and up-keep of creation will be accepted as service hours: recycling, beach, canal and bayou clean-ups, planting of trees and plants for beautification projects, animal care, cleaning up neighborhoods, and graffiti removal or mural/painting projects, are just a few examples of accepted service projects.

4. Advocacy Projects:
Some examples of Advocacy projects could be environmental in nature, pertain to issues of homelessness and poverty, education or healthcare, racial, gender or abilities concerns. We strive to facilitate a “critical awareness” of social issues that affect all of us. We hope to refine our skills of facilitators of dialogue in the midst of deep division and diversity of opinions. Continuing education on crucial social and political issues are conducive to open dialogue and respect of differences.

The Community Outreach program in the Upper School aims to shape young women who are compelled to share their gifts and talents for the good of all, especially those who suffer from injustice and oppression locally and globally. With special attention to Goal 3, a social awareness which impels to action, the Upper School offers opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and parents to engage in service and grow in social awareness issues and the needs of our community.

• In the spirit of Goal 4, the building of community as a Christian value, all Upper School students complete service to our school community during each of their four years at ASH. These opportunities are offered by the Alumnae Office, Institutional Advancement Office, Liturgical Committee, Dean’s Office, and individual teachers.
• The eleventh grade participates in an in-depth service commitment in conjunction with their Religion III course. A minimum of 50 hours must involve direct, personal contact with disadvantaged individuals.
• Opportunities for indirect service are led by student leaders supervised by Upper School administration, faculty and staff
• Campus Ministers promote opportunities to participate in numerous outreach events offered through the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Catholic Charities.
• The Network of Sacred Heart Schools Summer Service Projects, now Hearts Projects, have been in existence for more than 25 years. Students are encouraged to apply for these opportunities, sponsored by the Network and various Sacred Heart schools. Lasting friendships are made with other Sacred Heart students, and emphasis on living the love of Christ is made real. 
• Traditionally, the Upper School has been able to offer a mission trip each summer.
• Service learning experiences are offered in various courses throughout the school year

Time Frame of Service Requirement:
The CSJ expects Juniors to begin their service hours during Sophomore summer and Junior year and/or during the summer before Senior year. Thus, some Juniors will begin during Junior year and work to complete their hours before entering Senior year. Others, will work to complete their service hours during the summer before Senior year.

Throughout the year, Middle School students live out Goal 3 through a series of meaningful activities focused on service and social awareness. Each year, students participate in initiatives that raise awareness and funds for our Sacred Heart school in Uganda, as well as support global efforts through Catholic Relief Services.

In addition, each grade level designs an annual day of service, allowing students to engage with and serve our local community through partnerships with organizations such as St. Michael’s Special School, Second Harvest Food Bank, the Youth Empowerment Project, and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. These experiences help our students embody Goal 3, developing a deep sense of social awareness and a genuine commitment to taking action in service to others.

Middle School students may be eligible to apply for Network HEART Projects, immersive summer service opportunities hosted by Sacred Heart schools across the country. Information and applications are shared by the Dean of Students. Most programs are designed for Third and Fourth Prep students, with additional opportunities available for Upper School participants. Applicants are notified of acceptance by the Network in the spring.

As a Child of the Sacred Heart, Preschool and Lower School students “help those in need” by participating in a variety of carefully scaffolded, developmentally appropriate and meaningful experiences. In doing so, age four through age ten children not only serve, but learn to serve. 

A key aspect of the Preschool and Lower School program is engaging with our community. Through intentional partnerships, faculty and staff design and facilitate service, service, learning, and community engagement experiences. Therefore, the highlight of Preschool and Lower School service, service learning, and community engagement are the community partnerships that are fostered and the collaborations that bring the school community together with the larger community of New Orleans.  
 
In this way, our children learn most importantly that serving is reciprocal, as we serve we learn from others and receive from others. 

Examples include:

• Snack Shack
• Smock Patrol
• Oral History Club
• Blessing Bags
• Sophie's Spirit
• Books from the Heart