The rule in one paragraph
The District requires 100 hours of community service to graduate from a DC public or public charter high school, from the 2025-26 school year on (5-A DCMR 2203). The service must be unpaid and meant to benefit the community. It can be done in person or online, through a school project, a project students organize, or a government, nonprofit or other outside organization. Your school approves the hours.
What counts and what does not
- Counts: tutoring at another school or after-school program, food drives, park and river clean-ups, helping at a senior center, advocacy for a community need.
- Does not count: paid work, helping your own family, babysitting for family or friends, political campaigns, being a team manager, school performances, and anything during class time.
- Limited: at DCPS, clerical tasks such as filing or stuffing envelopes can be no more than a quarter of an activity.
DCPS asks you to get each activity pre-approved by your school's community service coordinator and to record hours on its verification form. A parent or guardian cannot be your supervisor.
A simple pace
100 hours over four years is 25 hours a year, or about 30 minutes a week. At DCPS, up to 25 hours can be earned in 8th grade, which takes a quarter off before high school starts.
Transferring into a DC school
Students who move to a DC public or charter school from outside DC need fewer hours:
| You arrive in | Hours needed |
|---|---|
| Senior year | Requirement waived |
| Junior year or rising senior | 25 hours |
| Sophomore year or rising junior | 50 hours |
| Freshman year | 75 hours |
Hours approved at another DC public or charter school carry over to your new school.
Free printable hours log
Download the Washington, DC community service hours log (PDF). It has room for 16 entries with the community need you met, supervisor signatures, a page total and student and parent signature lines. Use it as your own record alongside your school's form.
Or track the 100 hours online, free
In My Award Tracker, pick the Washington, DC graduation requirement goal and log as you go. You see the hours left and the weekly pace you need, supervisors confirm your hours by email, and your record moves with you if you change schools.
Frequently asked questions
How many community service hours do DC students need to graduate?
Students at DC public and public charter high schools need 100 hours of community service to graduate. The 100-hour rule applies from the 2025-26 school year on, after a phase-in of 50 hours (2023-24) and 75 hours (2024-25).
What counts as community service in DC?
Unpaid service, in person or online, that is meant to benefit the community rather than your own family. It can be a school project, a project students organize, or service with a government agency or an outside organization. Your school approves the hours, and DCPS asks you to get activities pre-approved.
Can I start before 9th grade?
DCPS lets 8th graders earn up to 25 hours toward the requirement. Charter schools set their own rules, so check with your counselor.
What does not count?
Paid work, helping your own family, and tasks that mainly benefit you. DCPS also excludes political campaigning, being a team manager, babysitting for family or friends, school performances, and service during class time.
I am transferring into a DC school. Do I still need 100 hours?
No. Students who transfer in from outside DC need 75 hours if they arrive in 9th grade, 50 in 10th, 25 in 11th, and none in their senior year. Hours approved at another DC public or charter school carry over.