Fortezza, Umilitade, e Largo Core (Courage, Humility, and Largeness of Heart) is the motto and guide for all who join the Oldfields community. Our active Community Service Committee embodies these words, impacting lives far beyond campus. It began in the home of our founder, Anna Austen McCulloch, who, upon seeing a need to educate local children (girls in particular) after moving to rural Maryland, opened her home to students. We continue spreading that legacy near and far—from feeding the homeless in Baltimore to tackling period poverty in Thailand. At Oldfields, you can make a difference every day through becoming a conscientious citizen of the world, an engaged community member, and one who uses your gifts and voice to take action and better the lives of others.
What moves you?
We are never more aware of humanity’s connectedness than when we are doing for others. At Oldfields, you will experience weekly opportunities to partner with numerous outside organizations—changing lives for the better, including your own!
Oldfields School partnered with non-profit The 6th Branch to clean up a vacant lot in Baltimore City so that it can be repurposed as green space for local residents. This all-school event left everyone physically tired but spiritually full.
Effect climate change via our Green School movement by championing recycling initiatives here on campus, getting your hands dirty in our community garden, harvesting local vegetables for the Maryland Food Bank, or joining the effort to educate the community on what we all can do on a daily basis to make significant change.
Reduce the stigma of mental illness by participating in the local Out of the Darkness Walks. Oldfields National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Club leads the way in this important awareness initiative.
Help our four-legged friends through our frequent trips to local animal and rescue shelters including the SPCA, BARCS, and yes, even Little Longears Minature Donkey Rescue! The love of animals runs deep in our community and the opportunities to interact (doggy yoga is a real thing!) with them are endless here.
Providing basic needs for the less fortunate is a frequent activity. Regular events at the local Habitat for Humanities Restore, Maryland Foodbank, and Helpers for the Homeless keep us humble and grateful.
Run in a charity race or work the water station—either way it’s a great way to raise funds for causes you care about!
View the video from our all-school day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
“It felt great to turn my passion for knitting and crafts into hats for babies in a local NICU. I discovered that I love gifting things more than I like keeping them. Getting my friends involved and seeing the appreciation of the nurses at the hospital made every second worth it.”- Kasey, Student
