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Community Volunteer Hours

All Ontario secondary students must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students may begin to accumulate volunteer hours in the summer between Grade 8 and Grade 9.

New in the 2024-2025 School Year

Students who complete more than 40 community involvement hours are encouraged to maintain their own record of completed community involvement hours. Secondary schools will no longer track and collect documentation for the completion of community involvement hours beyond the 40 hours required. Students can maintain a record of completed involvement hours through a digital or hard copy portfolio should they wish to have proof of hours for future scholarship, award and/or special program opportunities.

Community hours encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and give students opportunities to make valuable contributions to their communities. When students are involved in their communities, they can:

  • Develop transferable skills and explore different sectors and potential career opportunities as well as deepening their understanding of their role in society
  • ​Prepare for work and civic life in a globalized, digital age
  • Develop skills and experiences gained to become successful and contributing members of society now and in the future
​Community Involvement is designed to benefit the community​ - activities should help to improve the community and the lives of those who live within it. Requirements for Completion of Community

  • Provide help to their child when they are selecting community hours and contact the community sponsor and school principal with any questions and concerns
  • Sign the Required Record of Community Involvement Hours document ​if your child is under 18

Parents can help with the following:

  • Ensuring the health and safety of the student
  • Consider the location of activity and hours of operation
  • Assist in selecting engaging and meaningful activities
  • Assist in selecting activities that meet the eligibility criteria​

See this page for Guidelines on Eligible and Ineligible Activities

  • Begin Early: Students can begin their community involvement hours the summer after grade 8
  • Be Professional: Be on time, dress appropriately and listen to instructions
  • Be Safe: Ask for help and clarification if in doubt of what you've been asked to do
  • Ensure Eligibility: Confirm eligibility​ of activity in advance
    Note: Guidance departments are closed during the summer
  • Submit Paperwork: Submit paperwork for each activity as it is completed
  • Complete early: It is recommended that you complete your 40 community involvement hours before you begin grade 12

You can start accumulating your hours in the summer before grade 9. 

Activities that ARE ELIGIBLE are ones that: 

  • Are of benefit to the community 

  • Support a not-for-profit agency, institution or foundation that conforms to the ethical standards of Halton DSB and the Ministry of Education 

  • Promote tutoring, mentoring, visiting or coaching 

  • Support ethical work of a global nature 

  • Promote positive environmental awareness 

  • Support clubs, religious groups, arts or cultural associations, or political organizations that seek to make a positive & ethical contribution in the community.

  • activities completed during your regular class time 

  • acitivities that are required as part of one of your courses 

  • duties that would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace 

  • duties normally performed in the home or personal recreation activities 

  • work that provides direct financial gain to the student, or the student's immediate family 

If you have any questions about whether or not your intended activity is eligible, come see Mrs. Norton in Student Services BEFORE you start.

You can print the Community Involvement Hours Form, complete it, and then have it signed by the community sponsor to record your hours. Or you can provide a letter from the organization stating the number of hours you volunteered.

Once you have these documents completed, please upload them using this Form which will be sent to Guidance to be recorded. Submit your hours as you complete them—no need to wait until the last minute!  

Submit your Acton District School Community Involvement Hours Here

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