Community Service Learning
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Serve your community and earn a credit towards graduation!
Community Service Learning is an approach to teaching and learning in which students use academic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs. To learn more about Community Service Learning graduation requirements, visit the district's slide deck.
As a way to help foster civic responsibility, Arkansas Act 648 allows students to earn one credit towards graduation after completing 75 hours of approved community service learning over their high school career (Class of 2024-2026). Starting with the Class of 2027, 75 hours of approved CSL will be required for graduation.
To qualify for the credit, students must upload verified hours to the Community Service Learning Log Sheet
Here is another option for keeping a personal record of your hours.
Starting with the Class of 2027:
- Students must complete 75 total hours of community service to graduate.
- Students can choose where they volunteer their time. Hours must be verified by the organization. Parents/guardians will be responsible for making sure the organization is safe and a good fit for their student.
- Students can start inputting their hours into their school's Community Service Documentation Form today. Community service hours can be completed between the summer before 9th grade and graduation to attain the 75-hour requirement.
- Students can reference the Community Service Learning slide deck for links to their school’s CSL documentation form. Verification of hours must be documented and put into the CSL form.
What counts as community service?
Volunteer (unpaid) work for a school, church, non-profit organization, charity, or individual (not a family member)
Court-ordered community service does not countHow to document hours:
Use a spreadsheet or paper form to record hours as they are completed.
Ask an adult supervisor to sign off on your completed work.Graduate of Promise
60 hours are required to earn the Graduate of Promise honor.
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In-person Opportunities
Contact: friendlybook@sbcglobal.net
Contact: katie@habitatbentoncountyar.org
People can donate used books and magazines and volunteer by running the store.
Nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home.
Participate in events they set up like Streetfest (trick or treating)
Volunteer to help kids at an after school program (SOAR) or Ozone Elementary.
Contact: sgreen@samcc.org
Serves the hurting and hungry of Northwest Arkansas through a compassionate community of staff and volunteers
Angel Tree
Available in most stores through Thanksgiving/Christmas
Help work in a small store that will do various activities such as retail, tutoring, fundraising, and sorting out donations
Be a part of a team of volunteers working in a thrift store giving back to the community
Using a child or family’s Christmas list to provide with them they need and want for Christmas
Creating a box with pre packaged food and socks for veterans
Teen Action and Support Center
Teens learn leadership skills by learning/ helping the homeless
Help during shows and act as an usher or work at concessions
Self-initiated volunteer opportunities:
Donate to hospitals, retail stores, thrift stores
Sell pre-packaged items (candy/chocolate bars)
Write and send letters to Veterans
Rake leaves/shovel snow
Participate at food banks
Donate blood
Make masks
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Virtual Opportunities
Can create different art projects and upload to slide shows for little children.Share red cross content, and write letters to healthcare providersA free mobile app that helps read books, go over nutrition facts, and any other need for the visuallySet up video calls with elementary children and you can read to themVirtual tutoring for kids of any age.Decode the location of oil spills
Find evidence of drone strikes
Help flag abusive tweets to women politicians in IndiaHelp researchers record data about wild animals, space, all kinds of things. Pick your project!
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City of Rogers Opportunities
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Northwest Arkansas Opportunities
Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County
Pinwheel Event
April is National Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention month and each year the Center hosts an event to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse – nationally and in our own community. During pinwheel placement, volunteers rally at the CAC prior to heading out in groups to place pinwheels at our partner agencies around Benton County (DHS office, police stations, etc.).
Make Blankets for seriously ill or traumatized children
