McComb High School Graduation Honors Service Learning FAQ’s

1. What is Service Learning?
Service learning is meant to teach young people that part of making one’s community and world better is to find meaningful ways in which to help others. Service learning instills in young people the value of taking pride in one’s neighborhood, improving social interactions with others, increasing awareness of personal strengths, and establishing quality relationships.

2. What is considered service?
Service can take on many different forms. The simple definition is “giving of yourself in both time and effort for the benefit of others.” However, for more specific ideas of what is considered service, consult the high school resources page on the website.

3. What does a student get out of service?
The personal value of service can be immeasurable. Performing service gives one an opportunity to make solid, real-life connections between the world outside the doors of the school. Service helps develop skills that will make a student more well-rounded, creates opportunities for the growth of interpersonal skills and personal relationships, and finally, demonstrates to a student the positive results that are sure to be byproducts of helping others.

4. How do students find opportunities to serve?
There are many opportunities to serve in and out of the school setting. Students can find service opportunities through school organizations, athletic teams, extracurricular activities, community clubs and organizations, church groups, assisted-living/nursing homes, or humane societies. If students still need service opportunity ideas, see the high school counselor for more information.

5. How do students document their service hours?
Upon the completion of service hours, students should complete the “Completed Service Form” which can be found on the website and submit it to the high school office. The service hours will then be credited to the student and documented in the student’s file. Students are also encouraged to maintain a copy of all service hour submissions for their own records.

6. Can students perform service and get credit for it at a later date?
As long as a students’ service is performed between the summer before their 9th grade year through May 1st of their graduation year and completes the “Completed Service Form” located on the website, credit for the service hours will be awarded.

7. How many service hours are required to earn the various levels of graduation honors?

Beginning with the Class of 2026, students must meet the following service hour requirements as well as other expectations in order to earn the various graduation honors:
•	Summa Cum Laude – 120 service hours over the course of 4 years •	Magna Cum Laude – 100 service hours over the course of 4 years •	Cum Laude – 50 service hours over the course of 4 years
Prorated hours over 4 years for the following classes:
•	Summa Cum Laude: Class of 2023 (30hrs), Class of 2024 (60hrs), Class of 2025 (90hrs) •	Magna Cum Laude: Class of 2023 (25hrs), Class of 2024 (50hrs), Class of 2025 (40hrs) •	Cum Laude: Class of 2023 (15hrs), Class of 2024 (25hrs), Class of 2025 (35hrs)

8. What happens if a student does not meet the service hour requirement for a specific graduation honor?
If a student fails to meet the service hour requirement of the highest designation, but meets all other requirements, they will be considered for the next designation.

9. Do students receive academic credit for service hours?
No. Students are not receiving academic credit for service hours.

10. How can parents get involved?
There are many ways for parents to be involved in service learning from helping their child plan and execute a project to volunteering their own time to assist with a school/ community project.

11. How do students learn more about the Service Learning requirement?
Students can explore the service learning pages on the school website. Students can also speak with the principal, school counselor, or any faculty member about service learning.

12. Does service during the school day count?
The general answer is “No.” The service performed by students is intended to occur outside the school day. However, there may be opportunities throughout the school year where students might be able to get some credit for service that occurs during the school day, such as, assistance provided as part of school organization service projects.

WHAT COUNTS FOR SERVICE LEARNING CREDIT?

Volunteering with any agency, non-profit group, hospital, church, student organization, civic group, community organization, etc.

Time that you spend planning or organizing a service event.

Meeting that you attend in order to plan or organize a service event, learn about service opportunities, or learn community leadership skills.

Mission or work trips with your church or a community group.

Service projects of school clubs, organizations and teams.

Time that you spend planning for drives and fundraising activities for charities such as the United Way, American Cancer Society, etc.

WHAT DOES NOT COUNT FOR SERVICE LEARNING CREDIT?

Service for which you receive course credit, such as internships or class assignments, unless you work more hours than required.

Participation in a school event or activity such as rehearsing for a play or competing in a sport.

Time at conventions, mission or work trips when you are sleeping, attending social functions, eating, etc.

Court mandated community service or service mandated for a school disciplinary referral. *These type of hours are allowable for Community Service Graduation Seal*

Paid work of any kind or work for which you receive any kind of compensation.