The 40-Hour Commitment: Community Engagement and Leadership
A mandatory component of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is the completion of a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities. This requirement is not merely a formality; it is a critical opportunity for students to cultivate civic responsibility, develop practical workplace skills, and contribute meaningfully to their local and global communities. Toronto High School views this mandate as an essential opportunity for leadership development and philanthropic engagement.
Our Guidance team is dedicated to assisting all students in identifying and securing meaningful volunteer placements that align with their academic and career interests. Active community involvement is a significant factor in university admissions, demonstrating a student’s initiative, empathy, and capacity for leadership beyond the confines of the classroom. Prospective opportunities that the school encourages include:
- Peer Tutoring and Mentorship: Utilizing one’s academic strengths to assist others, often through the school’s own Tutoring Service.
- Local Non-Profit Organizations: Working with food banks, community centres, or environmental initiatives within the GTA.
- School-Based Initiatives: Assisting with administrative tasks, organizing school events, or supporting field trips.
Through this engagement, students learn to apply their classroom knowledge to solve real-world problems and develop a portfolio of experiences that distinguish them in post-secondary applications. The official documentation of the 40 hours must be completed and submitted to the school administration prior to graduation to ensure the OSSD is awarded. This commitment to community service is a hallmark of the ethical and civic development fostered at Toronto High School.