The Center for Community Action was created to be a gathering place where students and teachers discuss issues of concern, research the causes of social problems, and develop a plan for action, and work collectively to effect change.

By eliminating the community service requirement, Marin Academy acted on the belief that volunteering should be voluntary and that coerced community service is counter to the spirit of activism. At MA, we aspire to generate an environment in which students feel energized to serve their communities and to integrate service projects into their academic and extracurricular life.

Despite the fact that service is not mandatory, many students continue to seek volunteer opportunities and lead school-wide campaigns to raise awareness of social injustices both locally and globally. The Community Action and Responsibility Emphasis (CARE) will serve to recognize those students who choose to participate in service projects outside of class and who lead others at MA to become involved in their communities, to learn more about problems outside of MA, and to work towards a more just society.

Marin Academy asks every individual to think, question, and create in an environment of encouragement and compassion,
and challenges each person to accept the responsibilities posed by education in a democratic society.