Community Service

Students must complete a minimum of 100 community service hours by the end of senior year. Students are required to bring documentational proof of completed volunteer hours (ex: letterhead signed by organization confirming hours done) and can turn them in to their corresponding counselor. Additionally, students must write a short essay detailing their volunteering experience. Even if your high school requires fewer hours for graduation, it is still highly encouraged that you stay a committed and active volunteer throughout high school. This will help shape your passions and interest, as well as impress colleges in the future.

Community Service Form

For more information or questions regarding the graduation requirement or turning in your hours, please contact your counselor and/or CAP Advisor.

You can start accumulating high school volunteer hours since the summer before your freshmen year! Why should you start so early?

Reasons to start volunteering early on:

• Meet the graduation requirement earlier rather than later (this will save you stress later on as you will be on track to graduate)

• Start exploring what you are passionate about

• Connect with new people in all types of settings (you can maybe use these connections later on to write you letters of recommendations!)

• Accumulate diverse volunteering opportunities to make your college application stand out

• Demonstrate your commitment and involvement by continuing to volunteer long-term (colleges love to see how you've had an impact in your community and that doesn't happen with just a week-long volunteer experience)

• Accrue more than 100 hours throughout high school, the sky is the limit!

• Make space in your schedule for other academic opportunities in the future such as a more rigorous curriculum, dual enrollment and internships

Community service hours are completed in non-profit organizations where you are not compensated for your time and efforts. Volunteering comes in many shapes and forms, so everyone's experience is unique and tailored to their interests.

The following are some ideas of locations where you can volunteer: schools, libraries, hospitals, clinics, zoo, religious centers, senior citizen centers, nursing homes, museums, charities, parks, summer camps, animal rescue shelters, etc.