Service learning has been found to be a potentially powerful dropout prevention tool. Service learning combines community service with learning activities. Participating students must be engaged in significant, well-planned, and genuine service. Second, they must reflect on their experiences of serving others to ensure a complete learning experience. These requirements are vital to a successful service learning experience. Many favorable outcomes occur in each of the following developmental areas through participation in service learning activities: personal growth; social growth; intellectual growth; citizenship; and preparation for the world of work. Service learning can be integrated into the organizational structure of a school through four progressively complex levels of implementation: extracurricular; curricular unit; mandatory or elective courses; and school-wide integration. Essential components of service learning include preparation, action, and reflection. The service