At Lincoln Community School (LCS), a leading international school in Ghana, our dedication to the world beyond our classroom walls has never been stronger. In fact, thanks to the passion of our students, staff, and partners, our school was incredibly proud to win the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA)  Community Engagement & Learning School Program award earlier this year.

Aligning Our Words with Our Actions

To better reflect the high-level collaborative work our school is already doing, we are updating the language we use to be in line with the global framework set by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). We are officially transitioning our terminology from ‘service learning’ to ‘Community Engagement‘.

Why this language shift matters:

• Reciprocity and respect: It shifts the focus to co-creation. Our students do not approach local challenges as external “fixers.”
• Deep dialogues: They collaborate directly with community members to listen to their voices, understand local needs, and build sustained, equal relationships.

The Core Components of Our Continued Work

This updated language simply reinforces the rigorous, inquiry-driven process our students already practice daily at LCS:

• Inquiry: Investigating the complex root causes of societal issues rather than just treating immediate symptoms.
• Planning: Collaborating directly alongside community partners to co-design realistic goals.
• Action: Implementing projects symmetrically with the community, using classroom knowledge to make a tangible impact.
• Reflection: Continuously evaluating their own perspectives, assumptions, and growth.

Celebrating Active Citizens Today

Winning an award has proved that our students do not need to wait until graduation to become impactful civic contributors – they are leading the way right now.

By officially adopting the language of Community Engagement, we are making sure our terminology aligns with our highest standards. We want to thank our entire school community for their ongoing support, and we look forward to achieving even greater milestones together this year.

*Keep an eye on our website and social Media as we continue to spotlight our students’ incredible, award-winning community engagement projects!