Community Service
Mynderse Academy students are required to complete 20 hours of community service* in order to qualify for graduation. Please see Mrs. Stevers in the Counseling Office if you have any questions. The Community Service Volunteer Form must be filled out and turned in to receive credit for service. This can be found in the link below.
*The community service graduation requirement has been modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Class of 2023 will need a total of 5 hours of community service for graduation. Class of 2024 will need a total of 10 hours of community service for graduation. Class of 2025 will need a total of 15 hours of community service for graduation.
All students at Mynderse Academy are required to complete and document volunteer community service work toward a 20 hour graduation requirement. (The amount of hours may vary for those students entering the district past the first half of their freshman year). It is important for our students to give back to the community that has provided them with such a wonderful educational experience. Not only is this an opportunity for our students to make a difference in our community, but the requirement also provides a chance for our students to develop essential life and employability skills.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 5 hours of their 20 hour community service requirement each year. For example, 9th graders should complete at least 5 hours, sophomores should have at least 10 hours accumulated, juniors at least 15 hours and seniors will need to complete a total of 20 hours by February 1st of their senior year. Please note: Students can complete all of their 20 hours at any time and it is highly encouraged. Students can also continue to earn hours beyond their requirement and achieve high school transcript credit:
35-49 hours = .25 credit, 50-64 hours = .50 credit, 65-79 hours = .75 credit and 80 or more hours = 1.0 credit.
Volunteering helps students develop leadership skills, provides an opportunity to make new friends, and helps establish connections between classroom learning and real-world experiences. Taking part in service work teaches skills that are valuable to employers, such as problem-solving, teamwork and the ability to follow instructions (SOFT SKILLS THAT EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR!!). Plus, it looks great on college, scholarship, and employment applications!
Mynderse Academy students can volunteer on their own or with a group of friends. Participating in community service is a rewarding way to share your individual talents, all while having fun and making personal connections. We encourage our students to explore their interests through volunteering and appreciate its value as it relates to their future career choice. Networking and building new relationships within our community can provide an opportunity to explore college and career goals.
Students who volunteer their time and complete community service are often better equipped to find scholarships that may not have been available without the experience. We encourage all students to keep a list of their completed community service experiences so that the information can be available when applying to colleges.
If you have any questions about what qualifies you may reach out to Mrs. Stevers in the School Counseling Office or Mrs. Amanda Ashley in the Mynderse Academy Main Office.
For current or upcoming volunteer opportunities see the Community Service Event Opportunities document linked below or refer to the Counselor News Google Classroom. Students must complete the Community Service Volunteer Form for each event they participate in. Completed documents must be submitted to the Main Office in the high school.