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Community Service Requirements (40 hours)

All secondary school students in Ontario must complete 40 hours of community involvement to receive their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Community involvement encourages students to develop:

  • An understanding of the roles that they play in their community; and
  • A greater sense of belonging within the community.

Students may start accumulating community involvement hours in the summer before they enter Grade 9.

Secondary schools in the Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) provide a document summarizing community involvement diploma requirements for students and parents, as well as for the persons/organizations sponsoring an activity with our students.

2021-2022 Graduates

If you are graduating in 2021-2022 School year. You only require 20 community hours for graduation

Roles and Responsibilities of Students

In consultation with their parents/guardians, students should select an activity that appears on the RCDSB's list of approved activities. Students may choose an activity that is not on the list, provided that it is not an activity specified on the Ministry of Education's and the RCDSB's lists of ineligible activities. If the activity is not on the RCDSB's list of approved activities, the student must obtain approval from his/her principal before beginning the activity.

  • The safety of students is paramount.
  • Students are not paid for community involvement activities.
  • Community involvement requirements must be met outside of regularly scheduled class time.
  • The Completion of Community Involvement Activities form must be filled in and signed by the student, the student's parent/guardian, and the community sponsor (person/organization providing the community involvement opportunity for the student).
  • Students must submit the form to the principal or other school contact upon completion of the 40 hours or upon completion of a specific activity.

Roles and Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians

Parents/guardians should provide assistance to their child in the selection of his/her community involvement activities. Parents/guardians are also encouraged to communicate with the community sponsor and the school principal if they have any questions or concerns. A parent must sign the Completion of Community Involvement Activities form if the student is under the age of 18 years.

Additional Information