COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT GUIDELINES
Each upper school student must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service by April 19th of his/her senior year in order to graduate from Hampton Roads Academy. (Students in the classes of '05, '06, and '07 will still be required to complete only 30 hours.) Hours acquired during middle school are not considered part of this upper school requirement, but volunteer work may begin as early as the summer after 8th grade. In order to encourage community service throughout the student’s high school career, at least 10 of those hours should be acquired by the end of each academic year (9th, 10th, and 11th). Any student who transfers to HRA must complete this requirement as well, and the hours required would be adjusted to reflect his/her entry year. (For example, a new sophomore will have a 30-hour graduation requirement, a new junior will have 20 and a new senior will have 10.) Credit for service hours acquired at previous schools may be transferred with appropriate documentation, but the student must also complete at least 10 hours each year he/she attends HRA. Those students transferring to HRA in their senior year are required to complete a minimum of 10 total hours during the school year in order to graduate.

Community Service may be acquired through both community-sponsored and school-sponsored opportunities. "Peer Tutoring" and assisting with HRA summer sports camps are examples of school-sponsored community service. Advisory groups may work on service projects as well. School-wide activities, such as Day of Caring, do not count towards this individual community service requirement. Service done for honor societies, chorus, tech-theater, or other curriculum-based activities are not considered part of the community service program. Only half the student's requirement should be met with activities that occur through school-sponsored projects. At least 20 hours of the student's requirements should take place on the student's own time, outside of school. The student should choose an approved agency to work for that allows hands-on opportunities to help others and benefits the community. Sumer seems to be the best time to commit to a service organization and gain valuable experience in the area of the student's choice. A list of agencies is available from the community service coordinator, Ms. Alison Lee. Students should always seek prior approval before beginning a service project to ensure the hours can be applied towards the graduation requirement.

Proper documentation for the service hours acquired is essential. A Community Service Evaluation Form must be submitted to Ms. Lee for each project a student completes. This form is filled out in part by the student and in part by the supervisor. The type of work done and the hours acquired are recorded and kept on file for each individual student. Any senior who completes 100 or more hours by October 15th of his/her senior year will receive a separate letter of recommendation outlining his/her endeavors and commitment to service to be part of his/her college application package from HRA.

Alison Lee, Community Service Sponsor 884-9154 or email alee@hra.org