SERVE at Shiloh Middle School

A Shared Framework for Living, Learning, and Growing Together

At Shiloh Middle School, we believe that education is about more than academics. 

SERVE is the shared language we use to describe what it looks like to live well together in our school community.

Rather than simply giving students a list of rules to follow, SERVE helps us connect our everyday expectations to the values we want students to understand, practice, and ultimately carry with them beyond Shiloh - values like Christ-likeness, relationships, trust, teamwork, and excellence.

 

What Does It Mean to SERVE?

Our SERVE framework connects five everyday expectations with our school’s core values and biblical truth:

S — SPEAK: Be Respectful
We tell the truth. We stand up for what is right. We speak with kindness.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is useful for building others up.” — Ephesians 4:29

E — EXCEL: Work Hard
We give our best effort, even when it is hard. We take pride in our work.

“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for man.” — Colossians 3:23

R — RESTORE: Seek to Repair
We choose forgiveness. We make things right when we mess up.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” — Ephesians 4:32

V — VALUE: Live Selflessly
We consider others more important than ourselves. We treat others with respect.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.” — Philippians 2:3

E — ENCOURAGE: Uplift Others
We build others up. We celebrate with each other.

“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

SERVE Is About Growth, Not Perfection

Middle school students are learning how to navigate friendships, responsibilities, emotions, conflict, independence, and increasingly complex situations. We know they are going to make mistakes.

Our goal is not to expect perfection. Instead, we want to use those mistakes as meaningful opportunities for discipleship.

When a student makes a choice that does not align with our SERVE expectations, our response will often begin with reflection:

What happened? Which part of SERVE can help us think about this differently? What needs to be made right? What can we do differently next time?

These conversations allow us to move beyond simply telling a student that a behavior was wrong. We want students to understand why their choices matter and help them develop the wisdom and character to make a different choice in the future.

Reflective Lunches

At times, a student may be assigned a SERVE Reflective Lunch. This is an opportunity for the student to step away from the normal lunch environment and spend intentional time reflecting on what happened, how it connects to SERVE, and what growth or restoration may be needed.

After your child participates in a SERVE Reflective Lunch, you will receive a notification from the school. 

This notification is simply meant to keep you informed. There is nothing additional you are required to do at home. However, we welcome you to use it as an opportunity to have a conversation with your child about what happened and what they learned.

A simple question like, “Tell me about your SERVE reflection today,” can open the door for a valuable conversation and allows home and school to partner together in your child's growth.

*Please note that this is the lowest level of corrective action your child will receive. Office-level detentions, which are reserved for more serious offenses or when reflective lunches are not effectively bringing about a change in behavior, will be served in the mornings with administration and will be communicated in advance.

Partnering in Discipleship

Ultimately, SERVE is bigger than school behavior.

Our hope is that students learn to speak with truth and kindness, excel by giving their best, restore relationships when things go wrong, value others above themselves, and encourage the people around them—not simply because those are school expectations, but because these qualities reflect the character of Christ.

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with families in this important work. Middle school is full of growth, and growth often includes mistakes. Our desire is to meet those moments with truth, grace, reflection, restoration, and the belief that every moment can become an opportunity for discipleship.