The school has always believed in shaping responsible citizens with a deep sense of service. In 1935, The Doon School pioneered the concept and implementation of structured social service, a model that would decades later influence the Indian government’s decision to introduce compulsory social service in schools. Today, every student at Doon participates in community service as part of an integrated and experiential curriculum that fosters empathy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Students are involved in a wide variety of projects in India, near and far, as well as internationally through the Round Square Association (www.roundsquare.org). The School has been a member of Round Square for nearly three decades. Building, teaching and medical aid are some of the examples of the work being done in urban slum areas and villages. Some projects are school-based and increasingly, many students drive their own individual initiatives. For example, they have been involved in tackling substance abuse in slums and hill villages, and working with the police force, micro-finance projects, and clean water production for domestic and business use.The school encourages the use of the school’s facilities by children from villages and slum areas. A key aim of all projects is the need to create sustainable models to improve the lives of the poor in urban slum areas and in hill villages. Students fundraise themselves and apply their theoretical knowledge to practical regional projects making real, long-term improvements to the lives of local people. The students are the driving force in such projects, guided and supported by the faculty. The school financially assists with the operation and development of several slum and village schools. On campus, the boys get a chance to work in the House linen rooms, school kitchen and the gardens, alongside the school’s support staff. SUPWs like the AV squad, Stage Committee, Paper Recycling and Trophy Squad, are also some of the services provided by the boys for the benefit of the community. Service is an ongoing and increasingly significant part of the curriculum at The Doon School.