In an effort to be good stewards of our resources, the school tithes 10% of all fundraising efforts and donates the proceeds to those in need. Over the years, the Annunciation Catholic Academy community has contributed to building a new school after the tsunami in Sri Lanka, building a well in Nigeria, feeding the homeless in our local community, and providing books for migrant students in neighboring public schools. These projects are all reminders of the many blessing we have received from God and our need to share these blessings with others.

In middle school, students perform service activities throughout the community. Students are given opportunities to truly understand what is meant by Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbor. There is an emphasis not on just knowing the teachings of our faith, but on finding ways to put them into action.

Elementary School

The primary students learn the meaning of living their faith by participating in class, school and parish outreach programs. They donate socks and clothing to poor children through the parish Be An Angel program at Christmas and supply toiletries as well as books to the homeless children of Seminole County throughout the year with Bags of Hope, a program started by a family in the parish. The students’ support of our sister Diocese in the Dominican Republic has been outstanding. The children have contributed bikes, shoes and school supplies to children in the Catholic schools of remote mountain villages. During Advent students wrap gifts that are donated to a local children’s hospital and assisted living facilities. Students participate in the Scholastic Cares reading program through which the Scholastic company donates 100 books to needy children once each participating class reads 100 books! One of the most rewarding service activities involves kindergarten students performing at an assisted living facility at Thanksgiving.

Middle School

At Annunciation Catholic Academy, service is integrated throughout the Liturgical Year and the curriculum. At the end of every Mass, we are commissioned “to go forth to love and serve the Lord.” Service is at the heart of our lived faith. In Middle School, each grade gets an opportunity to go out into the community to do service. The students can choose between 10 – 12 different local agencies to not only visit to learn about that agency, but to actually do hands on service. Some agencies include Catholic Charities, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Second Harvest Food Bank, Sharing Center Values Reborn Store and JMJ Life Center. Parent chaperones help to transport and supervise students on these service days.

As a school, outreach projects are conducted throughout the Liturgical Year. During Advent, Catholic Schools Week, Lent and May, the entire school works together to collect items or money to benefit others. Whether it is money being collected to help build a school in our Sister Diocese in the Dominican Republic or collecting socks and underwear to benefit local children through the parish Be An Angel program, students are given opportunities to truly understand what is meant by Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbor. Throughout the year, individual classes take time to visit nursing homes, make cards for soldiers or the elderly or other projects which help our students develop empathy for others and their situations. There is an emphasis not on just knowing the teachings of our faith, but on finding ways to put them into action.