Navigating High School volunteer requirements

As high school students get back into the swing of the new school year, they’ll need to fulfill duties both inside and outside of the classroom. With service hours required for high school graduations across the state, now’s the time to make sure your kids plan their volunteer efforts for the year.

The Maryland State Board of Education requires every public high school student to complete at least 75 service hours to graduate. In Anne Arundel County (AACPS), service hours are completed through classroom initiatives between fifth and twelfth grades. The curriculum begins in fifth grade with five hours, then continues with ten hours per year in middle school and high school. Each project is divided into three-steps: Preparation, Action, and Reflection. Preparation involves researching a need within the community and receiving any necessary training to complete the project. Action is taking the information or training learned and applying to the community directly, indirectly, or through advocacy.

Students can earn additional service hours through service clubs, guidance activities, IB programs, as well as independent service projects. Completing outside service projects can increase a student’s college acceptance chances as well as entrance into National Honors Society and other service-oriented clubs. To help parents, the AACPS system released the Implementation Plan for 2017–2020, which highlights effects and importance of service in schools, at aacps.org/ page/2304.

Private school service hour requirements differ by school. However, students perform the same types of service activities. For example, the students at Archbishop Spalding need 60 hours over a four-year period to graduate. The school requires students to complete 25 of those 60 hours at outreach volunteer facilities such as Sarah’s House or the Light House Shelter. At Severn School, graduation requirements include 10 hours a year, where no more than two may be done at the school itself, and the rest must be direct service.

Serving one’s community opens a wide range of networks as well as positive outcomes such as scholarships and grants to those who dedicate themselves to helping others. Every year, high schools recognize the seniors who exemplified outstanding service in the community. Schools nominate those who exhibited and performed excellent service for the Maryland State Department of Education Service Star Awards.

For more service opportunities in Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel Community College’s Center for Public and Community Service actively promotes volunteer opportunities in the county through volunteermatch.org.

Easy and fun volunteer ideas in the Baltimore/Annapolis area

If you enjoy working with animals, find a local animal shelter to spend some time at the Maryland SPCA or the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. Both offer positions such as helping with events or with the animals themselves. mdspca.org aacspca.org

If you like helping those in need, the Anne Arundel County Food Bank needs volunteers yearround as sorters and office workers to help feed those who go hungry in our neighborhoods.

If you prefer a more hands-on approach or have a knack for building, the Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake located in Baltimore is always looking for volunteers to build houses for those less fortunate in the Chesapeake area. habitat chesapeake.org