Henrico County Public Schools has a Community Service program for students in grades 6 – 12.  These students may participate in voluntary assignments and activities to serve organizations as well as individuals within the community.  Students in grades 6 – 8 and grades 9 – 12 have different criteria.  Middle School students may receive school based certificates for completing hours in the range of 1 – 10, 11 – 20, and 21+ hours.  

High School students can receive a special seal on their diploma for serving 50+ hours during their 9 – 12 years if they're in the classes of 23, 24, or 25. Those students in the class of 2026 will need to complete 80+ hours to receive the special seal on their diploma. 

Hours from middle school do not carry over from year to year, but high school hours do carry over each year.  The goal of community service is to enhance the quality of life within the student’s school and community.  Community Service Learning combines instruction, 21st Century Skills, and voluntary participation in supporting activities or obtaining contribution of goods.

 Furthermore, this online form serves as pre-approval.  While many activities do count for community service, there are some activities that do not.  By signing this form, parents/guardians are acknowledging that their student can perform community service to earn a special seal on his or her diploma and that some activities are not allowed.

 In summary, students can volunteer for a school, a non-profit agency, or help an individual who cannot help themselves.  Activities tied to a grade, some sort of compensation, or a school sport or club does not count.  The most common question is volunteer opportunities that relates to a religious organization.  If the activity serves a community function (e.g. camps, feeding programs, after school or summer care) these can count.  If the activity is related to teaching religious doctrine or performing in a religious service, these hours would not count.  If you have any questions, please see the Community Service Leader of each school.  

There is always a risk that students will volunteer for a worthy cause and find out later that it did not qualify within our guidelines.  We are trying to minimize this occurrence with these procedures.  All final decisions for approval will be made by the Secondary Social Studies Specialist, Dr. Taylor Snow at (804) 226-5130 or tmsnow@henrico.k12.va.us.

Furthermore, in April and May of 2023, high school students will hear about deadlines to turn in forms.  For students in grades 9 – 11, the deadline is important to track their cumulative hours per year.  If a student in grades 9 – 11 misses the May deadline, they can still turn in the hours the next school year.  However, for Seniors, the deadline must be met in order to complete all the paperwork and order the seals.

 Please check off and sign below to acknowledge the terms of community service.

 Please fill out this form for each student you may have separately.