Adults aren’t the only ones who are encouraged to get involved! By engaging in community service projects, students can earn credits and recognition at graduation, and qualify for scholarships.

Students provide more than 100,000 hours of service to Polk County every year through the community service program. Community service coordinators at each high school coordinate the application process and approve the hours and locations where students serve.

Ready to get involved? Start by contacting your high school Community Service Coordinator. Service hours must be pre-approved before students begin to log hours.

PCPS Community Service Guidelines

Community Service Categories:

Community Service is now divided into three categories: Community Service Project (CSP), Volunteer Hours (VH), and Paid Work Hours (PWH) which all count toward the Bright Futures Scholarship requirements when properly documented.

  • Community Service Project (CSP): Student initiated to address a social issue and create social impact. CSPs require a pre-approved plan, log or letter, and a reflection.
  • Volunteer Hours (VH): Unpaid service or help to organizations without any expectation of return. VHs require a log or letter and a reflection
  • Paid Work Hours (PWH): Paid employment where students still build skills or contribute to the community. PWHs require a pay stub from employer with an EIN and a reflection

All high school students are eligible to earn community service hours beginning the summer prior to entering ninth grade. Students may earn CSP and VH hours when freely giving time to support something in the community they are not required to do, without pay, to benefit others and which exceed program requirements when related to co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. The following activities do NOT count as community service:

  • Service during a student’s scheduled school day
  • More than 8 hours in one day
  • Court-ordered service
  • Fostering animals at home
  • Donations (hair, blood, clothing, etc.)
  • Hosting an exchange student
  • Family-related service (babysitting, chores, family business)
  • Activities tied to grades, credit, certifications, and/or awards (athletics, clubs, school productions)
  • Activities occurring during worship service/evangelism activities (choir, altar serving, VBS, ushering, church child care, etc.)
Need Help?

Students/Parents - Please contact your High School Community Service Coordinator. 

Community Partners - we invite your organization to share available opportunities by completing this brief form: Community Service Opportunities with Community Agencies – Fill out form.

Community Partners - may contact Monique Tubbs if they have additional questions. 

Recognition Levels for Community Service Projects & Volunteer Hours:

  • 50+ Hours - Earn a Certificate in Senior Year
  • 150+ hours - Earn a Silver Honor Cord in Senior Year
  • 250+ hours including minimum 25 CSP hours - Eligible for the Social Impact Medallion in Senior Year
  • 500+ hours including minimum 50 CSP hours - Eligible for the Exceeding Expectation Medallion in Senior Year
  • *Awards are only for PCPS students

Anual Submission Deadlines

All hours must be submitted in the same academic year in which they are earned.

  • Grades 9–11: Must submit hours no later than the last student day of each school year.
  • Grade 12 (Seniors): Submit hours no later than the last day for seniors.
    • Hours for Scholarships: Recommended for seniors to submit monthly.
    • Hours for Senior Awards: Recommended to be submitted by April 15th to be considered.
  • Hours earned during the summer must be submitted no later than the last day of quarter 1 each school year. 

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Information

 

Student Guide to Service Hours

Student Service Hour Examples

Additional information:

For ideas on where to serve your community, visit Volunteer Polk or United Way of Central Florida.