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The New School requires every student to serve his/her various communities as part of his/her portfolio requirement.
In most years, students are required to complete a minimum of 60 hours total, covering all of the three categories listed below. Note, you will need to go beyond the minimum requirement in either the in-school or out-of-school categories to reach 60 hours. Within the 60 hour requirement the following requirements must be met:
A minimum of 10 hours at school. When revisiting the service requirement, students viewed it as very important that everyone get into the practice of giving back to their own communities.
A minimum of 20 hours outside of school. We also want to make sure that students look outside of their own groups for those in need.
A minimum of 20 hours working for the same organization (this could be outside of school or a particular group in school). Continuing to work for the same group helps you gain experience and skills that will be useful to you in the future, and also makes you more useful to the organization you are helping. Continuing to volunteer at the same place allows a deeper understanding of the work you are doing and the needs you are filling, it also allows for the development of relationships and leadership skills.
Hours must be completed by the end of the third quarter of the junior year. Students may serve these hours at any number of organizations whose expressed purpose is first and foremost to benefit their community.
We recommend 20 hours of community service during freshman, sophomore, and junior years in order to complete the 60-hour goal. Summers are also a great time for students to complete their hours. Students who join The New School during their sophomore or junior year must still complete 60 hours of community service. We recognize that this might prove difficult for those juniors who have not acquired any community service hours prior to coming to The New School. Therefore, new students have until the beginning of their senior year to complete this requirement without suffering any consequences.
Covid-19 Modifications to Community Service Requirements for 2021-2022 School Year
We understand that it may be more difficult to earn community service hours this year. In an effort to make the community service requirements more achievable during the 2021-2022 school year, we have revised the guidelines. Underclassmen will only need to complete a certain number of new hours. Juniors have a new total number of hours required, depending on the time of their enrollment. Additionally, there will be no minimum requirement for in-school or out-of-school community service hours. The adapted hour requirements for 2020-2021 are:
Grades 6-8 (Classes of 2026-2028)
10 new hours of community service
Grades 9-10 (Classes of 2024-2025)
20 new hours of community service
Grade 11 and 12 (Classes of 2022-2023)
Students who joined the school before 11th grade will be required to complete a total of 50 hours of community service from grades 9-11.
Students who joined the school in 11th grade will be required to complete a total of 30 hours of community service from grades 9-11.
Documenting Community Service Hours and Establishing Accountability
Students can download a Community Service Log Sheet to include in their portfolio. After the students complete a community service event, they will record the date, the name of the organization, the duties performed, and the number of hours worked. They must also have their supervisor sign off on this form, verifying their hours. If the organization provides a student with a letter that has a supervisor signature, date, the name of the organization, the duties performed, and the number of hours worked, this form can be attached to your log sheet, in lieu of the signature on the log sheet.
During the final portfolio review in the spring, advisors will check that all hours have been documented correctly on the log sheet. Students should provide contact information, so advisors are able to contact the organization for verification of service.
What Does Not Count Toward Community Service Hours?
Work done for friends or family (because it is expected that you will serve those closest to you).
Work done to serve a class (because that is viewed as part of normal school duties).
Work done for pay (because that’s not volunteering).
What Does Count Toward Community Service Hours?
Volunteering at a school-sponsored community service event.
Arranging volunteer opportunities on your own time (such as helping at a soup kitchen).
Volunteering for a Not-For-Profit Organization with merit.
How to Get Started
Find a Service Opportunity
Contact the Organization: If you're not sure what to say when you contact an organization, Volunteer Fairfax has offered this script to guide you if you have to leave a message: “Hi, my name is _________, I’m _____ years old and interested in volunteering, and I would appreciate it if you could tell me more about your program. You can call me back at my phone number _______ around (convenient time).”
Don’t forget to document your hours and have your supervisor sign off on them! Click to view and print out the Community Service Log Sheet
Choosing a Service Opportunity
The first thing you will need to do is to figure out what type of work you'd like to do. Remember, it's always better to find an organization you'd like to work for for over time. That gives you time to develop skills that you could use for future jobs and makes you more useful to the organization.
Also remember, that you can always sign up to work with a friend. Helping doesn't have to be something you do alone. Take a look at some of the resources below for finding service opportunities. If you're still stuck, make an appointment to talk with the Community Service Coordinator.
Finding a Service Opportunity
Volunteer Fairfax: Detailed Search. Be sure to select “youth” under the “Great for” field, in order to get opportunities good for those 18 and under.
Houses of worship often have opportunities for younger volunteers, as well and may be closer to your home.
Not in Fairfax? Search other localities
Standing opportunities to help at school:
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