Community service learning (CSL) allows students to integrate and apply their content learning to real life experiences.

Maumelle Charter High School strives to “provide an academically rigorous college preparatory program” for students. We believe that students who have had real-world, community-based experiences will be better prepared for selecting a college, college major and career, and integrating theory and practice when problem-solving. By connecting their classroom education with CSL, students will learn more about themselves (e.g., interest areas, strengths and weaknesses, etc.) and hone leadership skills and soft skills such as teamwork, interpersonal skills, and time management. When students engage in CSL, their learning increases because community service activities connects their classroom content to real world experiences. 

Additionally, civic engagement can empower students and help them understand the vital role they play in community action and improvement. Through CSL, students will meet individuals at their volunteer experiences from whom they can learn to appreciate differences in thoughts, values, beliefs, and life experiences. They also can find similarities between themselves and the people they meet. It is Maumelle Charter High’s hope that students will therefore understand how those differences can add value to society and that people can work in tandem to solve a community problem. 

Who do I contact with questions?

• • Contact your/your students' second period teacher to learn how many hours they have obtained. 

  • All questions can be directed to the CSL coordinator email. 

How many community service learning hours do students need?

• • All 8-12 grade students need 25 hours from approved sites.

When are CSL hours due?

• • Students need to turn in all hours by May 5. If May 5 falls on a weekend, students need to have them complete by the following Monday.

Do students need a CSL paper form? Where do students submit completed hours?

• • Students need to have their site supervisor sign this form.

  • Students will need to take a picture of the form, send it to themselves in an email, and upload it to the CSL Documentation Form. 

  • Watch the whole documentation process here.

Where do students find a list of approved sites?

• • Students visit the ADE website. 

Can students volunteer at unapproved sites or design their own project?

• • We encourage creativity and meaningful volunteer experiences. Students can email their proposal to mchs.communityservice@academicsplus.org AND lauren.bryant@academisplus.org. Students must obtain approval from the school counselors PRIOR to volunteering for a design-your-own project.

  • Project proposals must be submitted by March 30.

How do I get a site approved?

• • Make a copy of this form, complete it ELECTRONICALLY,  and send it to mchs.communityservice@academicsplus.org  

  • You will need to input the following information for the School District:

    1. Name of School District: Academics Plus Charter Schools, Inc.

    2. Name of the district/school licensed faculty supervisor: Lauren Bryant

  • ADE only approves sites twice a year. You must submit your application by October 1 and April 1 so that our Board of Trustees has time to review it.

  • Once submitted, the Board will approve or deny the application. If approved, it will go to the Department of Education for their approval.

Where do students find a list of ideas?

• • Students can view a list of ongoing activities here or reach out to the organizations. Some organizations may post on social media or have information on their websites. 

Do student earn a credit for their CSL hours? If so, what grade do they receive?

• • Yes, 9-12 grade students who earn 75 hours of community service learning in high school at approved sites will earn a career focus credit. 

  • For more information about the career focus credit, visit the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Community Service Learning page.

  • Students earn a P for pass. The credit that does not factor into their GPA.

Do seniors need to complete CSL hours? 

• Only seniors who have not completed the 75 hours by senior year will need to complete hours. They only need to complete the remaining hours towards the 74. 

Can students receive volunteer hours for activities during school hours?

• • Yes. Students may complete their hours during school hours.

I earned hours during the summer. Will they count towards my school-mandated yearly hours?

• • Yes, they will. All 8-12 grade students can earn the upcoming school year's hours during the summer. Students still have to volunteer at an approved volunteer site. Design-You-Own project proposals must be submitted by March 30.

Do community service hours required for school club/organization (e.g., Beta Club, NHS, etc.) membership count towards the 75 hours?

• • Per ADE and the Arkansas Department of Human Services Office of Communications & Community Engagement, they do not.