The School of Public Service, founded in 2001 by St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., is setting a new standard for excellence in the area of public service education. The month-long summer program, open to 30 of our nation's best and brightest rising high school seniors, offers unprecedented access to the people and institutions, to the organizations and environs, that represent the pinnacle of public service in America.

The School of Public Service has lofty goals: To inspire leadership and instill a passion for public service within our students; to create a solid foundation of knowledge about the American public policy process; to explore the values that guide the work of government; and to encourage students to think critically, creatively, and independently about their role as citizens in a democracy. SPS fosters leadership and advocacy skills in our students through a broad course of study ranging from political theory to the three branches of American governance; from ethics on a local, national and international level to national and global economics.

The School of Public Service challenges students with in-depth discussion, research, and case studies and supports the academic content with behind-the-scenes visits and broad access to the people who affect contemporary policy issues. Leaders and practitioners from government, business, non-profits, international organizations, and the media work closely with students as instructors and mentors. For example, 2002 Program participants visited The West Wing with Presidential staff, Capitol Hill with Senator Frist, the Supreme Court with then Deputy Clerk Francis Lorson, and a taping of "Meet The Press" with Tim Russert.

The School of Public Service encourages and promotes a cooperative, team-focused environment. From day one, SPS students begin to build working relationships with each other which will continue well past their month together. Weekend barbeques, ropes course exercises, and field trips to Annapolis offer students welcome "fun" time as well as time to get to know one another.

By the end of the Session, SPS students have a broader view of their world, a more discerning eye with which to view that world, and a cadre of peers all dedicated to public service.

Mary Anne Waikart
Director, St. Albans School of Public Service
St. Albans School
Mount St. Alban
Washington, DC 20016