Morrilton High School

Understanding Arkansas’s Community Service Graduation Requirement

Beginning with the Class of 2027, Arkansas law requires all public high school students to complete 75 documented hours of community service as a condition of receiving a high school diploma. This requirement was established through the Arkansas LEARNS Act and is governed by the Arkansas Department of Education’s (DESE) Rules Governing Community Service and Diploma Requirements. (Rules Governing Community Service)

For students attending Morrilton High School in the South Conway County School District, the following information outlines what the law requires and how students can meet the graduation requirement.

Who Must Complete Community Service?
The requirement applies to all Arkansas public high school students graduating with the Class of 2027 and beyond.

How Many Hours Are Required?

Students must complete a minimum of 75 clock hours of documented community service during grades 9-12.

For community service purposes, grade 9 begins the day after a student’s last day of eighth grade, meaning students may begin earning qualifying hours during the summer before their freshman year.

There is no annual minimum for students who attend all four years of high school in Arkansas. Students may complete the hours at their own pace and may earn all 75 hours before their senior year if they choose.

What Counts as Community Service?
Under Arkansas law, qualifying community service:

May occur before, during, or after school hours.

May be completed in Arkansas or outside Arkansas.

Must be completed through programs or activities that meet district policy.

Must be certified by the organization or agency where the student volunteered.

May include hours completed for a class, school organization, club, honors program, or other recognition if the activity also meets the district’s community service requirements.

Examples of eligible organizations may include schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other entities recognized by the South Conway County School District.

Documentation Is Required
Community service hours do not count automatically.

Arkansas law requires students to provide documentation verifying their service. Each service activity must be certified by the supervising organization and submitted according to district procedures.

At Morrilton High School, students submit hours through the Community Service Learning Hour Form and attach a signed work verification form for each service activity. Parents and students receive periodic updates on completed hours throughout the school year. Website: https://mhs.sccsd.org/o/mhs/page/community-service-learning

Waivers
The law allows the South Conway County School District Board of Education to grant a waiver on a case-by-case basis when extenuating circumstances exist.

Examples identified in the Arkansas rules include:

Major illness involving the student or an immediate family member

A student who is medically fragile or has a qualifying disability

Student homelessness or housing insecurity

A student who is a major contributor to family income

Waiver requests must be submitted in writing and are considered according to district policy. (DESE policy)

Morrilton High School’s Process
Morrilton High School has established procedures to help students meet the state graduation requirement.

Students should:

1. Complete community service with an eligible organization.

2. Obtain verification (signed form) from the supervising adult or organization.

3. Submit the required documentation through the Morrilton High School Community Service Learning Tracking Form. (Note: Students must submit using school provided email address).

4. Monitor their accumulated hours throughout high school.

Students with transportation challenges or other special circumstances are encouraged to contact the school’s Community Service Learning Coordinator so appropriate service opportunities can be identified.

Completing community service throughout high school, rather than waiting until senior year, will help students remain on track to satisfy this Arkansas graduation requirement.

All referenced forms can be found here: https://mhs.sccsd.org/o/mhs/page/community-service-learning

Hard copies are available in the MHS front office.

For questions regarding community service, please visit the MHS Community Service website or contact Jasmine Wilson, Assistant Principal.

ATTENTION SCCSD PARENTS:

If your child has medications or medical equipment (Epi-pen, Inhalers, Air Chambers, Diabetic supplies) in the nurses’ offices at MPS, MES, MIS, MJHS, or MHS, a parent or guardian must pick up these items by Friday May 22nd by noon.

ITEMS NOT PICKED UP WILL BE DISPOSED OF!

BMI reports will be available if requested for pick up. We will only print the BMI reports requested, so let us know in advance if you request your child’s BMI report. BMI reports will be available prior to May 22nd only. The grade levels that were screened are Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th.

Nursing Department

May 19th Event Calendar:

1. Kindergarten Graduation @ Devil Dog Arena - 7:00 p.m.

“Learning requires effort—there are no shortcuts to mastery.” – Jared Horvath