The Seal of Civic Readiness is a formal recognition that a student has attained a high level of proficiency in terms of civic knowledge, civic skills, civic mindset, and civic experiences. 

• To earn the seal, students must complete all of the requirements for a New York State local or Regents diploma, and demonstrate civic knowledge and participation through the completion of several different learning experiences (completing civics-aligned course work, completing a service-learning project and reflective product, completing a capstone project, etc.)

  • While individual buildings can customize the pathway that students use to earn the Seal, most commonly students will complete a Civics Capstone Project in 12th-grade Participation in Government using Mikva Challenge's Issues to Action curriculum (more information below) in conjunction with 4 credits of social studies (Global I, Global II, United States History and Government, and Participation in Government/ Economics) and proficiency on at least one Social Studies Regents examination (Global II and/ or United States History and Government).

• Currently, East Upper School, School of the Arts, and World of Inquiry are approved to offer the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness.

• To learn more about this initiative, please click here.

Seal of Civic Readiness Resources:

Seal of Civic Readiness All-in-One Guide: This resource compiles district and NYSED resources to begin or refine Seal of Civic Readiness offerings at your school. Please contact Ryan Keating (ryan.keating@rcsdk12.org) for more information.

Mikva Challenge: The district partners with Mikva Challenge for civics curriculum, including Project Soapbox and Issues to Action. Click here for Soapbox speeches from the 2025 Project Soapbox District Mainstage!