Leadership and Responsibility
Our Teen Action Program (TAP) strives to address real community needs while sparking in our students a commitment to education, leadership, social responsibility, and personal discovery. Students, teachers, and administrators engage in various projects at more than 30 agencies, schools, and non-profit organizations throughout Santa Fe.
Santa Fe Prep students contribute over 6,000 hours of service to the community each year, and we are very proud of the quality and quantity of their work. The organizations we work with are equally impressed with our students and grateful for their commitment to community service.
Students gain an enriched sense of themselves and others through experiences that span different cultures, generations, economic levels, and environmental issues. Students are given the opportunity to select a TAP that sparks their interest. While a majority of students engage in a TAP during service afternoons, students who are inspired to contribute to a project outside of this set time are encouraged to do so. Faculty advisors track student engagement and provide opportunities for reflection.
Independent TAP Program
As students progress through Prep, they are asked to take on more ownership of their TAP experience. Juniors are encouraged and Seniors are required to complete Independent TAP Projects. Independent TAP requires students to take the initiative in designing, planning, and participating in an independent service project that targets a need in our community. This takes more time than regular TAP and a great deal of maturity. The huge upside is that students may be able to tap into (pun intended!) areas in which they are passionate. We have emphasized that it is the student’s job to do research, phone calls, and of course, the application.
Another aspect of all TAP projects is the requirement for reporting and reflection each semester. It’s always gratifying to see how these reflections help students know more about themselves and their roles in their community.
TAP and service learning are a proud tradition, and a key part of a student’s Prep experience. We are proud of its legacy, and excited about its future.