The rule in one paragraph
The School District of Palm Beach County requires a minimum of 20 community service hours to graduate from high school. You can start earning hours the summer before 9th grade, and all of them must be done by graduation.
What counts and what does not
- Counts: unpaid volunteering for a nonprofit, where the work helps the wider public rather than one person.
- Counts: internships with a business or government office, and work for a political candidate’s campaign.
- Counts: time spent organizing and collecting canned goods, clothing or book drives for a community in need.
- Counts: fostering animals for a nonprofit animal organization, up to 4 hours a day.
- Does not count: rehearsals and sports or band practice.
- Does not count: club meetings that plan service.
- Does not count: donating items to earn hours.
How to record your hours
Record your hours on a school-issued community service log or on the organization's letterhead. Three people sign: you, a parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization, who is the one confirming the service (a parent cannot verify it). Schools aim to enter the hours in your record within two weeks of when you turn them in.
A simple pace
20 hours over four years is just 5 hours a year. Plan for more if you want Bright Futures: 75 hours for Medallion Scholars, 100 for Academic Scholars, and for Gold Seal 75 if you started 9th grade in 2024-25 or later (30 if you started before then), or 100 hours of paid work instead.
Keep your own record, free
Your school's system is the official record; keep your own copy too, with the date, the hours and who supervised you. Print the free volunteer hours log, work out your weekly pace with the volunteer hours calculator, or track it in My Award Tracker: pick the Palm Beach County graduation requirement goal and see the hours left and the pace you need as you log.
Other states and districts: see community service hours to graduate, every state.
Frequently asked questions
How many community service hours do Palm Beach County students need?
At least 20 community service hours to graduate from high school.
When can I start counting hours in Palm Beach County?
The summer before 9th grade. All hours must be completed by graduation.
Who signs my Palm Beach County service log?
You, a parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization. The organization confirms the service; a parent cannot verify it.
What does not count?
Rehearsals, sports or band practice, club meetings that plan service, and donating items to earn hours.
Are 20 hours enough for Bright Futures?
No. Bright Futures asks for 75 hours (Medallion Scholars), 100 hours (Academic Scholars) or, for Gold Seal, 75 hours if you started 9th grade in 2024-25 or later (30 if you started before then). 100 paid work hours, or a combination, also work.