NOTE: The community involvement graduation requirement of 40 hours will be restored in the 2022-23 school year. Learn more about community involvement hours.
Every student must complete 40 hours of community involvement to receive his/her diploma. Students can start accumulating community involvement hours in the summer before they enter Grade 9.
Community involvement is intended to:
- encourage students to understand the roles they can play in their community
- help students develop a greater sense of belonging
Students are encouraged to choose activities that interest them or explore a potential career. Some students may complete more than 40 hours.
Contact your secondary school’s Guidance Department for:
- more information about eligible activities
- information on how to record your community involvement hours
Eligible Activities
A list of eligible activities has been established by the SCDSB in consultation with the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and insurance experts. Activities include:
- assistance to seniors
- environmental projects
- sports and recreation activities
- working with charitable and service organizations
- working in health facilities
- community or specific school-related activities
Ineligible Activities
The Ministry of Education developed a list of activities that are ineligible. These include activities that:
- take place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under 16 years of age;
- take place in a factory, if the student is under 15 years of age;
- take place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under 14 years and not accompanied by an adult;
- would normally be performed for wages by a worker;
- involve operating a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding;
- involve the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons;
- involve the handling of substances classed as "designated substances" under the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
- require the knowledge of a trades person whose trade is regulated by the provincial government;
- involve banking or the handling of securities, jewelry, works of art, antiques, or other valuables;
- consist of duties normally performed in the home;
- involve a court-ordered program (i.e. community-service program for youth, probationary program);
- involve the use of a firearm.