What is Civic Engagement Diploma Seal?
The Civic Engagement Diploma Seal is a seal placed on your diploma to reflect your effort as a student interested in how others participate in civic activities but also to practice participating by taking informed action themselves. It also prepares students to constructively participate in civic life and recognize their commitment to community.
Who can earn the Seal?
Any student who completes the requirements can earn the Civic Engagement Diploma Seal. Beginning in spring of the 2025-26 school year, all freshman Globalization students must declare which pathway they will complete during their 4 years of high school. Most of the requirements are completed by junior year, including the presentation. Senior year will only require the completion of a few classes and passing the citizenship test to finalize earning the seal.
How do I earn the Seal?
Requirement 1: Take three courses with a civic focus or perspective (i.e., AP Art History, AP Comparative Government, and AP Psychology).
Requirement 2: Complete 20 hours of pre-approved community service with a civic engagement focus (participation can be counted starting the summer prior to 9th grade). For example:
- Attend meetings of the City Council, County Commission, School Board
- Attend town hall meetings
- Serve as a page at the Capitol
- Serve as a poll worker on Election Day
- Volunteer on a voter registration drive or Get Out the Vote campaign.
All hours must be documented through MobileServe app, and be verified by the coordinator.
EXEMPTION from this requirement is earned if a student enlists in the U.S. Military prior to graduation.
Students taking ROTC pathway courses can earn 10 hours per class (up to a maximum of 30 hours) for designated pathway courses.
Requirement 3: Participate in four signature grade level events (i.e., Global Connections Night, Human Rights Summit, etc). Completion of these events will be verified by the coordinator. In addition, participation in the Board of Elections field trips is highly encouraged.
Requirement 4: Capstone Presentation. Using a trifold poster board, present your civic engagement experience to a review committee consisting of teachers, administrators, and community members. Students present the knowledge gained in social studies and/or civics/government related courses and activities during their 4 years of high school.
Requirement 5: Take and pass the American Government Basic Skills Test, a subset of 56 questions taken from the USCIS Citizenship Test. Students may take the test until they receive a 70% or higher. This test is administered on CTLS by your Government Teacher.
The American Government Basic Skills Test is based on the USCIS Civics Test, the test immigrants take during naturalization process. Here is a link to the study materials for the USCIS test.
What’s a general timeline for earning the Seal?
- Coursework completed freshman through senior year.
- Community Service complete hours from freshman through junior year.
- Participation in extracurricular activities from freshman through junior year.
Junior Year:
- October: The coordinator verifies participation in community service and extracurricular activities.
- November: Civics Capstone Presentation
Senior Year:
- February: All requirements should be fulfilled (enrollment in a course is sufficient)
- April: Coordinator submits names of Civics Engagement candidates to the Georgia Department of Education.
- Graduation: Civic Engagement recipients receive a seal on their diploma.
When do I get the Seal?
On your diploma, at graduation.
When you fill out college applications, you can state that you are a candidate for the Civic Engagement Diploma Seal, however, you cannot state that you have earned it (unless you finished all requirements during junior year).
What will the Seal do for me?
The Civic Engagement Diploma Seal is a federal initiative and is recognized by colleges, universities and businesses all over the country. It is a recognition of merit for students who appreciate the importance of serving their community and taking informed action in our democracy. Additionally, it shows them that you are prepared to constructively participate in civic life and recognize your commitment to community.
Who’s in charge if I have questions or need help?
Mr. Peter Trentacoste - will provide forms and approve service hours and extracurricular activities, collect and verify completed forms, and the Capstone project.
“You will ever remember that all the end of study is to make you a good man and a useful citizen.” ~ John Adams
“In a constitutional democracy, productive civic engagement requires knowledge of the history, principles, and foundations of our American democracy, and the ability to participate in civic and democratic processes. People demonstrate civic engagement when they address public problems individually and collaboratively and when they maintain, strengthen, and improve communities and societies. Civics is not only the study of how people participate in governing society, but also encompasses participation in classrooms, schools, neighborhoods, groups, organizations, and government institutions.” ~C3 Framework
