As part of their yearlong exploration of environmental justice through social studies and campus ministry, Mayfield Senior School’s sophomore class took their learning beyond the classroom by partnering with TreePeople for a meaningful day of service in Lynwood. This hands-on experience allowed students to engage directly with issues they’ve been studying, as they helped care for trees in a community impacted by climate and environmental challenges.

TreePeople’s Forestry Program empowers communities to restore ecosystems, plant trees, and expand Southern California’s urban canopy—work that deeply resonated with our students. Their service experience is a reflection of Mayfield’s commitment to learning through action, and is closely connected to their current work on their Social Entrepreneur Projects. These interdisciplinary projects ask students to research a social issue they care about and develop a nonprofit organization in response—blending academic inquiry with innovation, compassion, and real-world impact.

Throughout the sophomore year, topics like environmental justice are interwoven across disciplines, from classroom discussions to community partnerships. Whether through planting trees or presenting nonprofit solutions at our upcoming showcase, our students are learning how to be thoughtful changemakers—living out our Holy Child mission of “Actions Not Words.”