APS Community Service Seal

The Community Service Seal is one of three local seals designed by Akron Public Schools. APS believes in high-quality experiences that help prepare students for success in the workplace by allowing them to apply academic and technical skills in a real-life setting.

Community Service connects students to the area in which they live in a positive way and promotes good citizenship.

To earn the Community Service Seal, students must:

  1. Document all hours on the APS Community Service Documentation Form (make a copy).

    • Participation must be validated by the participating community service organization.

  2. Complete thirty (30) hours of high-quality community service during the the time they enter high school until May 1 of their graduating year. High-quality community service achieves the following:

    • helps students make invaluable connections in their community

    • gives students an opportunity to explore possible career options in the public, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors and gain valuable work skills

    • exposes students to the needs of their community and promotes an understanding of and the value in civic engagement as well as volunteerism

    • provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate social and emotional skills, academic knowledge, leadership, professionalism and critical reasoning

2. Community Service must be completed with an approved charitable organization which is preferably located and registered as a non-profit organization in Ohio or is a recognized not-for-profit organization.

Pre-approved Community Service Organizations/Volunteer Opportunities may include, but are not limited to*:

  • After school tutoring programs

  • School or District activities that support community engagement

  • Animal shelters

  • Art museums

  • Faith-based organizations

  • Food pantries

  • Homeless shelters

  • Habitat for Humanity

  • Libraries

  • Nursing homes

  • Akron-Canton Foodbank

  • Red Cross

  • United Way

*Organizations beyond the pre-approved list above must be approved by the district's designated Community Service Advisor.

Read More Here: APS Local Seals Handbook