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About Service Learning
Student Achievement Goal III, Responsibility to the Community, includes a service learning component that allows students to earn hours for their participation in service learning projects. Service learning is a teaching method designed to involve students in authentic and meaningful service to their communities. Service learning makes connections between the classroom and the community and provides structured time for students to reflect on their service experiences. It is intended to instill a sense of civic responsibility by encouraging students to access their impact on the community as active contributors to society. Students can engage in a variety of activities.
Hours of Requirements
Beginning in spring 2010, FCPS is documenting the successful completion of service learning projects for students in grades 6, 8, and 12. High school students may accumulate service hours leading to special recognition at graduation (i.e. service learning cord or Virginia diploma seal of excellence in civics).
- Grade 6: 5 hours.
- Grade 8: 15 hours.
- Grades 9–12: Students should complete 10 service hours per year for a total of 40 hours.
With progressive implementation, current students qualify for the service learning recognition cord with the following hours:
- Grade 12: 10 hours. Students graduating in 2010 will qualify with 10 hours of service.
- Grade 11: 20 hours. Students graduating in 2011 will qualify with 20 hours of service.
- Grade 10: 30 hours. Students graduating in 2012 will qualify with 30 hours of service.
- Grade 9: 40 hours. Students graduating in 2013 and beyond will qualify with 40 hours of service.
Students may choose to complete 50+ hours to qualify for the Virginia Board of Education diploma seal* for excellence in civics education. See Virginia Department of Education for criteria.
