How to Complete High School Volunteer Hours
How to Complete High School Volunteer Hours
All high school students (Grades 9-12) in the province of Ontario are required to complete 40 hours of community service as a graduation requirement. This requirement helps young people develop new skills while encouraging them to develop an awareness and understanding of civic responsibility as they play a role in contributing and strengthening their communities. These goals complement academic and work experience programs that are currently taking place in our schools.
Students can find a great list in our document for eligible community involvement activities.
Students can visit Volunteer Ottawa or Charity Village, or contact a charitable organization in their community to explore current volunteer opportunities.
If you have any questions about Community Involvement Hours, including whether or not an activity is acceptable, please contact your Guidance Counsellor.
All students must complete community involvement activities as a requirement outlined by the Ontario Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memorandum No. 124a. These activities must be:
- A minimum of 40 hours of unpaid service.
- Included in the list of the OCSB’s eligible activities
- Completed outside of class time, including community involvement activities completed at school.
- Completed by the end of Grade 12 in order to be eligible to graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Students are responsible for selecting appropriate community involvement activities, behaving in a manner that demonstrates a positive work ethic and respect for others, and completing all required documentation according to the Board requirements. Parents/guardians are responsible for supporting their child in the selection of their community involvement activities, communicating with community sponsors and the school Principal with questions or concerns, and signing the Community Involvement Record if the student is under the age of 18.
Completing 40 Hours Before Graduation
Community Involvement Requirements
Completing 40 Hours Before Graduation: Community Involvement Requirements
Students may begin collecting and documenting community involvement hours in July of the year before their Grade 9 school year. Students should plan to accumulate a minimum of 10 hours each year. However, students are encouraged to complete their hours before the start of their Grade 12 year, as this is a busy year, which may include part-time jobs which affect one’s ability to do volunteer work. A single activity or a series of short-term activities totalling 40 hours may be completed. A Community Involvement Record should be submitted no later than the first week of January or June to ensure completed hours can be recorded on report cards.
Simple steps to get ready for your volunteer hours submission:
1) Check Out the Eligible Community Involvement Activities
Community involvement activities may take place in a variety of settings, including businesses, not‑for‑profit organizations, public sector institutions (such as hospitals), and other community‑based environments. The OCSB has developed a list of activities considered acceptable under the guidelines of both the Board and the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Eligible activities are generally those that:
- Provide a benefit to the community, and/or
- Support a not‑for‑profit agency, institution, or foundation;
- Align with the ethical standards of the OCSB and provincial guidelines.
To help students get started, we’ve prepared a document outlining examples of eligible community involvement opportunities. Access the List of Eligible Activities* ›
* If the activity you wish to complete is not included in our list, you must request approval prior to starting: in the event that a student would like to participate in an activity or event that is not clearly within the list and does not conform to the guiding principles as set out, the student will submit a letter to the school’s Student Services/Guidance office detailing the proposed activity or nature of the participation and event. The activity cannot commence until permission has been granted. If completed without permission and permission is subsequently denied, the activity or event will not be counted toward the student’s community involvement requirement.
2) Record and Submit Your Completed Hours: The OCSB Community Involvement Record
Before beginning, students should review the list of eligible activities with a parent or guardian and decide on their preferred option. As activities are completed, all details must be tracked on the Community Involvement Record.
Important reminders:
- Parents/guardians can no longer sign off on hours.
- Students must provide contact information for a non‑parent supervisor who can verify the activity and hours completed.
- Once finished, students should submit their completed Community Involvement Record (including any summer activities) to their school.
NEW! Government of Ontario Recognition
NEW! Government of Ontario Recognition
Students who go above and beyond the minimum required hours can earn the Ontario Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement. This provincial award highlights your civic engagement, leadership, and commitment to helping others, with recognition levels at Bronze (50–99 hours), Silver (100–199 hours), and Gold (200+ hours).
Use it to strengthen applications for jobs, post‑secondary programs, apprenticeships, and scholarships. Learn More on Ontario.ca ›
Note
Liability insurance coverage: The school board’s liability insurance, carried with Ontario School Board’s Insurance Exchange (OSBIE), will provide coverage for the students and the community sponsors from any lawsuits that may arise from the students’ activities in the community involvement program during the 40 hours of volunteer work required. The board’s liability insurance does NOT cover student injuries while they are completing their 40 hours of service, nor does it cover the sponsoring organization for lawsuits that arise from their negligence. Should your child require OSBIE coverage for any additional hours (over the required 40 hours), this is subject to the review and approval of your child’s school Principal.
Police Records Check: Students are required to obtain a Police Records Check only if the community involvement activity is with the federal, provincial, or municipal government. Results of the Police Records Check will be sent directly to the government agency. If the community involvement activity takes place within the OCSB, a check is not required. Non-government agencies are not authorized to request Police Records Checks.
