Arizona’s International Baccalaureate schools joined forces for the fourth annual IB Day of Service on Nov. 15, marking a day of service-oriented learning across the state.

Led by the Arizona International Baccalaureate Schools, this year’s IB Day of Service engaged nearly 30 IB World Schools in community-focused projects designed to help students experience the real-world impact of service, according to a news release.

A highlight of service projects included Chandler High School’s community efforts, as about 80 CHS students helped gather and distribute 1,500 food bags at United Food Bank, a local partner close to the Chandler High campus.

This hands-on experience provided students with insight into the needs of their neighbors and fostered a deeper sense of compassion.

“The IB Day of Service helps students connect with the community in meaningful ways,” explained Kelsey Brown, Chandler High’s service learning coordinator. “It opens their eyes to the real-life challenges people face and fosters compassion. Students also learn more about themselves, discovering what they enjoy and where their strengths lie —whether it’s assisting people directly or working behind the scenes.”

Service is a fundamental principle of the IB programs, aiming to develop young, caring members of their communities. IB schools challenge students within its programs to be active participants in addressing the needs and opportunities of their local environments.

Chandler High has held an International Baccalaureate designation since the early 1980s. It’s one of more than 600 IB programs in North America and about two dozen in the Phoenix metro area.

The Chandler Unified School District announced in June that Andersen Elementary School has earned an IB designation as well.

Summit Academy in Chandler has had an IB-authorized middle school program since 2009.

Through service, the IB helps students broaden their understanding of community participation as well as their global role as unique and present individuals.

Governor Katie Hobbs has officially recognized IB Day of Service as an annual event.

Brown said when students face real-world challenges, like problem-solving when supplies run low, it shows them the need to navigate situations and think on their feet.

“Ultimately, they gain a deeper understanding of their community and their own potential,” Brown said.

For the first time, Chandler High extended its IB Day of Service to include all students in service-related activities during lunch. Activities ranged from creating encouraging messages for senior citizens to learning heart-health techniques from the American Cancer Society, ensuring every student had the chance to contribute.

Chandler’s diploma program coordinator, Patricia Bodroghy, said students and parents are told about participating in the IB program, it’s explained that it’s not about completing a task, earning a grade, or meeting a specific benchmark.

“It’s about teaching them to be competent, well-rounded, holistic human beings who are ready for the real world, whatever direction that may take them,” Bodroghy said. “Everything that the IB program teaches students in the classroom applies to the real world. Students are able to take what they are learning through the IB philosophy and truly apply it to their communities.”

Through their involvement in the IB Day of Service projects, DP and CP students also had the opportunity to mentor primary years program students at Andersen Elementary.

Together, they wrote heartfelt letters of gratitude to local firefighters, police officers, and military personnel stationed overseas.

“The high schoolers’ enthusiasm for teaching and working alongside our younger learners perfectly exemplifies the IB practice of cross-grade level grouping and collaboration,” said Christen Morton, IB Primary Years program coordinator at Anderson Elementary.

Through their involvement in the IB Day of Service projects, students developed skills in leadership, empathy, and problem-solving.

“We emphasize that service through action is one of the most meaningful ways to understand our global communities. By encouraging students to step beyond their immediate surroundings, we help them recognize that they are part of a vast, beautiful world,” stated Chandler’s CP Coordinator, Courtney Kemp. “It’s easy for young people to focus on instant gratification, but engaging with and contributing to our community fosters a broader perspective and supports the common good. This focus on service helps students see the bigger picture and understand the impact they can make.”

Some students apparently learned, through the IB Day of Service, how easy it is to make a difference in their neighbors’ lives.

“In just a couple of hours, 20 people were able to feed 80 families,” DP student participant Judah Knipmeyer said. “It’s incredible to see how a small effort can have such a big impact, and that inspires me to keep doing it. It’s about growing a sense of responsibility and understanding each person’s role in supporting their community. I also gained valuable skills in communication, especially with children, and learned how to use my time more effectively. The IB program has helped me become more prepared for college by teaching me how to think critically and solve problems — skills that go beyond education and will stay with me for life.”

“The IB Day of Service taught me that there are so many people with different needs, and it really opened my eyes,” said Kiley Jacobson, a CP student at Chandler High. “Volunteering at the food bank showed me that we can all do more for our community. Being around the kids reminded me to stay positive and recognize the importance of helping the generations that come after us. We all have a role to play, and even small actions can make a big difference.”

Andersen Elementary students connected with Chandler High’s IB students through a meaningful letter-writing project. Together, they crafted letters of gratitude for local firefighters, police officers, and military personnel stationed overseas, fostering empathy and understanding across grade levels.

This year’s day of service got the attention of designated IB World Schools from other states, who expressed interest in replicating Arizona’s initiative, the news release states.
Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate program pioneered a movement of international education and now offers four programs to students aged 3-19.

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