Service-learning is a component of education that incorporates service projects into the classroom. It strives to educate students of all ages on the importance of serving their communities throughout their lives and to inform them about democracy and citizenship. Students not only directly participate in community service but are also encouraged to reflect, understand, and learn from their experiences.

Service-learning programming contains two components: school-based and community-based, as both schools and organizations are able to implement and obtain funding for service-learning programs. Projects implemented by these groups are also very diverse reaching out towards different populations and responding to the distinctive needs of their own community or state. Some programs involve community service classes, while others may be an after school program or an additional component incorporated into the school’s curriculum. Service-learning can be integrated into every level of schooling from kindergarten to college.