Service Learning Information 

Service Learning Graduation Requirements

One of the graduation requirements for the SPS District is 60 hours of service learning. Service learning is giving time, without pay. Students may not be paid or earn credit for their hours. Service Learning allows students to learn and to apply academic, social and personal skills through real hands on activities and is important in helping build a resume for college, learn leadership, apply for jobs or other opportunities including scholarships. Students make a difference and address authentic community needs. Refer to the district Graduation Requirements.

As part of service learning, students are asked to reflect and report on their experiences. Summer hours that your student completes that meet the service-learning requirement can be counted toward the 60-hour graduation requirement, except for incoming freshmen who can claim only 15 service learning hours in the summer before they start at Ballard HS. Service learning forms are on the Service Learning page. Once students have met the 60-hour service learning requirement, this appears on the Source and their transcript as “service learning completed “P”.

How do you complete the District’s Service Learning Form?

• Each student fills out the student information and organization information section.
• Take the form to your supervisor to complete the verifying information section. You can attach letters or certificates from your organization or a printout of your hours with a supervisor’s signature in place of getting them to sign the documentation form. Staple the alternate documentation onto the school’s form and write “see attached” on the line where your supervisor would usually sign.
• When your hours are entered in PowerSchool, staff will sign the teacher signature line on the bottom of the page.
• Complete the reflection questions on the second page of the documentation form at least once per organization. In the reflections, students write about what they observed, felt, and learned, and any other thoughts about their service learning activities.
• Turn completed forms in to the counseling office or the main office. The service learning graduation requirement is not met until the completed paperwork is submitted.
• All documentation needs to be signed by an adult who is not related to the student and the reflection questions on the back must be completed. Peers cannot sign the time log.

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Above and Beyond Service Learning Award

Students who want to earn the Above and Beyond Service Learning Award need to document at least 240 service learning hours—four times the 60 service learning hours required for graduation. To receive the award, students simply turn in their documentation for 240 hours to the counseling or main office. They will get their medallion for the Above and Beyond Service Learning Award at the Senior Awards Night.  If seniors already have 240 or more hours turned in, they do not need to do anything else in order to receive the award. Hours beyond the required 60 do not appear on The Source. To keep track of SL hours beyond 60, contact the Counseling Secretary or your BHS Counselor.

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FAQs

Important Service Learning Reminders: Service Learning involves learning, benefiting the community and a written reflection. Service Learning must be work that is unpaid, and your supervisors must be an adult. If you have any questions, see the your Counselor before you start your Service Learning.  

• Who can sign my Service Learning Documentation Form? A supervisor or site contact must sign your SL Documentation Form. A family member or peer cannot sign your Service Form.  
• Where do I turn in my Service Hours Documentation?  Fully completed SL documentation can be dropped off or emailed to the BHS Counseling Center. Be sure to attach your completed Service Learning Documentation Form (both sides) and attach any paperwork (letters, certificates, etc) given during your Service Learning and make sure paperwork is signed. Maybe keep a copy for your records as well.
• When is the SL Documentation due for Graduating Classes to earn the Above and Beyond Service Learning Award (240 or more hours). Seniors must complete and turn in a Service Learning Form May 1. If students (seniors) already have 240 or more hours turned in, they do not need to do anything else in order to receive the award. Hours beyond the required 60 do not appear on The Source. To keep track of SL hours beyond 60, contact the BHS Counseling Center.
• When is the Senior Dinner & Academic Awards Night? June TBD
• The Ballard High School Graduation Ceremony: TBD

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Reminders

Summer Hours

Summer hours that students complete that meet the service-learning requirement can be counted toward the 60-hour graduation requirement, except for Incoming Freshmen who can claim only 15 service learning hours in the summer before they start at Ballard HS.   

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Postings

Students should only participate in an opportunity they feel is safe to them. BHS only shares these postings and does not endorse any of these businesses.

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Email me with tips on information you would like located here or better ways to support your searches on the Ballard HS website. Diane Taylor, BHS Website Editor at dmtaylor@seattleschools.org  Thank you!

As of August 8, 2026