What you need to graduate

You need at least 40 hours of community involvement activities (volunteering) to get your high school diploma.

Volunteering as part of your high school experience helps you:

  • develop transferable skills
  • explore different sectors and potential careers
  • learn about your role as a citizen
  • be aware of how you can support and strengthen your community

Get started in your community

You can start collecting volunteer hours in the summer before entering Grade 9. 

Make sure you know your school board’s processes for recording, submitting and approving your hours. Your principal will review and approve your planned and completed volunteer activities.

Start by learning what types of activities qualify as volunteering and which don’t.

Check your school board’s website for resources to help you find volunteer activities and record your hours. Find your school board.

You can also reach out to your principal or guidance counsellor for more information.

If you have an individual education plan (IEP), talk to your guidance counsellor about your volunteering hours and activity. Tell them of any accommodations outlined in your IEP. They will work with your volunteering supervisor to make sure you are supported.

When you’re choosing ways to get involved, talk to your family to help you plan. You can volunteer at different places to get your 40 hours. If you’re under 18, your parent or guardian must sign your record of volunteer hours.

Parents and guardians: We encourage you to help your child choose their activities. You can also contact the organization where they are volunteering or the school principal if you have questions or concerns.

Places you can volunteer

Community involvement activities may take place in a variety of settings such as:

  • local businesses
  • hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes and other health care institutions
  • not-for-profit organizations
  • public sector institutions, like your town, city or region
  • offices of local, provincial or federal government representatives
  • First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities or organizations
  • religious, cultural events and community activities

Check with your school board to see which volunteer settings are eligible.

Ineligible activities

These activities do not count towards the 40 hours you need to graduate.

They include activities that:

  • are a requirement of a class, course or program that you are enrolled in (such as a co-op program)
  • take place during school hours (not including lunch breaks or “spare” periods)
  • would normally be done for wages or a salary by a person in that workplace or organization
  • are duties that you would normally do in your house, such as daily chores, or personal recreation activities
  • are part of a court-ordered program (for example, a community service program for young offenders)

You can’t volunteer in any positions or activities that go against minimum working age requirements, applicable legislation, regulations or policies.

Your volunteer opportunity should not have you:

  • operating a vehicle, power tools or scaffolding
  • giving any type of medication or doing medical procedures
  • handling “designated substances” such as arsenic, asbestos, lead or mercury
  • involved in banking or the handling of securities or valuable items, such as jewelry, art or antiques
  • needing the knowledge of a regulated tradesperson
  • involved in activities that promote discrimination, harassment or put the safety of yourself or others at risk