One of the major goals of Ridley College is to graduate well-rounded students, and the Community Service and Activities Programme at the school helps to achieve this goal. Students learn about commitment, dedication and fulfilling obligations, and experience a sense of accomplishment and achievement through their participation in this programme. We at Ridley believe that social responsibility and service to a larger community are integral aspects of a Ridley education. By participating in the Ridley College Community Service and Activities Programme students also fulfill the Ministry requirement of 40 hours of community service (over four years of high school) in order to receive the provincial along with the Ridley College diploma.

Ridley students have been helping out in the St. Catharines community for many years now. They have assisted with child care at the Bethlehem Place Project, visited with the elderly through the Alzheimers Society, and worked with the Out-of-the-Cold Programme at a local church. Every year, a large group of students participates in the Terry Fox Run, the CIBC Run for the Cure, and the Earth Day CN Tower Run. Starting in September 2006, students will have an opportunity to participate in a few new community service activities, including Adopt-A-Road (in the school’s immediate neighbourhood) among others.

The extracurricular aspect of the programme offers students opportunities to develop their leadership skills through participation in Duke of Edinburgh or Cadet Programme, their artistic talents in music, drama, creative writing, publishing, and visual arts groups. They can also expand the range of their personal interests, hobbies, and competencies through the magic club, swimming certification programmes, yoga activity, and many others.