Learning Through Service

Learning Through Service is an opportunity to integrate community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

ALL students at Waterford High School must complete and document a total of 80* hours of service over the course of four years as part of the Waterford High School diploma requirements. Per BOE Policy 5080, students failing to complete the service requirement will NOT be permitted to graduate.

*Required hours for the Class of 2024 are prorated to 60 due to the COVID Pandemic.

*Required total hours are pro-rated for students transfering in to WHS entering after the first semester

of the freshman year (general rate is 10 hours per semester enrolled).

It is suggested that students perform and document at least 20 hours per academic year and may begin collecting and submitting hours during the summer following their 8th grade year.

**LTS hours must be documented and approved through the “MobileServe” app. All students will be instructed in how to download and use the app to log their hours and get approval for projects.

Appropriate LTS Projects:

Learning Through Service hours may be completed through volunteer service, career exploration/job shadowing opportunities, and incorporated into the Capstone Project (for up to 40 of the required LTS hours). The following are some of the criteria which will be used by the Learning Through Service coordinator when determining “meaningful” service. The service must:

• be provided to a non-profit organization (unless the hours are part of the Capstone Experience)

• be provided free of any remuneration (no payment)

• be an active experience that measurably benefits another person,the school community, or the community at large.

Performing tasks within your own home (such as babysitting, shoveling snow, raking leaves, etc) does not constitute a service project. Students may earn LTS hours if they do this type of service for neighbors so long as they are not compensated in another way. Their service should be purely voluntary.

**Any questions regarding suitable LTS projects whould be directed to the LTS coordinator.