CLASS OF 2026 - STATE SEAL OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT REQUIRED PROJECT STEPS

State Seal of Civic Engagement

Checklist for NJUHSD Class of 2026 students

⭐All items requiring an uploaded item will be highlighted in yellow.

• Criteria 1 - Be productively engaged in academic work.

  • Have a good attendance record

  • Be on track to graduate with a diploma or certificate of completion

• Criteria 2 - Demonstrate a competent understanding of the U.S. and California constitutions; functions and governance of local governments; tribal government structures and organizations; the role of the citizen in a constitutional democracy; and democratic principles, concepts, and processes.

  • Will be satisfied with earning a passing grade in a 12th Grade Government/Economics course (which may include either College Prep or Advanced Placement level coursework).

• Criteria 3 - Participate in one or more informed civic engagement project(s) that address real-world problems and require students to identify and inquire into civic needs or issues, consider varied responses, take action, and reflect on efforts.

  • Students must complete a Civic Engagement project with a minimum of twenty verified service hours. 

  • The project must identify and address a real-world issue and create a slideshow or written reflection on the significance of this issue in your community or state. This representation of your project's significance will be submitted on the application form.

  • Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

    • Political Involvement

Vote, campaign, or write letters to your representatives

• Social Responsibility

Consider the welfare of others and the environment when making decisions

• Community Research

Explore how your community is impacted by current social issues

• Association Involvement

Participate in organizations that focus on community improvement

• Direct Service

Give personal time and energy to address immediate community needs

• Philanthropic Giving

Donate to and/or organize fundraising for local priorities

• Advocacy & Education

Use your voice to persuade decision makers to make choices that benefit the community

• Criteria 4 - Demonstrate civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions through self-reflection.

  • After completing the project, students must complete and submit a SSCE Self-Reflection Form (make a copy of this Google Doc) or an equivalent reflection of their service work.

  • This self-reflection must include

    • A definition of the civic problem

    • An explanation of what the student did to address the problem

    • A reflection about societal/systemic solutions to the problem

• Criteria 5 - Exhibit character traits that reflect civic-mindedness and a commitment to positively impact the classroom, school, community, and/or society.

  • Show Civic Engagement through:

    • Concern for the rights and well-being of all and a desire to contribute to the common good, including members of groups historically disenfranchised by virtue of race, ethnicity, language background, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or another social identity. 

    • Evidence of observed character traits that reflect civic-mindedness and a commitment to supporting the school and community.

  • Obtain one or more recommendations from a peer, mentor, local, state, or national official, or non-familial community member.

  • Recommenders must complete a SSCE Character Reference Form (make a copy of this Google Doc)