Class of 2027 Graduation Requirement
The Arkansas LEARNS Act brought changes to education including a new community service requirement for high school students. Beginning with this year’s 9th grade class (Class of 2027), students will be required to complete 75 hours of community service to earn a high school diploma in Arkansas.
Community Service Hours
Students should log a total of 75 community service hours during 9th-12th grades, such as 15 hours in 9th grade and 20 hours each year after. Students may earn more than the suggested hours in one school year. Once a student completes all of the required 75 hours, he/she would NOT be required to complete any additional hours.
Service Opportunities
Service opportunities in the community are listed on many organization websites. Some examples include Bryant Boys and Girls Club, Civitan, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, Arkansas Foodbank, and local churches to name a few.
Tracking
Students will share about their community service activities and log this information in the Bryant Community Service Learning Tracking Form. Students must be logged in their studentID@bryantschools.org email address to access the form.
Each 9 weeks, the school will send parents and students an email with their current number of community service hours.
The steps are outlined in the Community Service Learning Process.
Special Circumstances
Students without transportation or those with special circumstances should contact their counselor. The school will work to connect students with service opportunities both on and off campus.
Community Service for Current 10-12 grades (Class of 2024, 25 & 26)
While the new law does NOT impact current 10, 11 and 12 grade students, they may earn optional community service hours, up to 75 for 1 academic credit on their transcript.
They can earn hours through service learning class, or serve outside of school. Students will reflect on their community service activities and log this information in the Bryant Community Service Learning Tracking Form. Steps are outlined here.