Service Program
The Brother Joseph Miggins Service Program encourages Academy men to grow into compassionate leaders by serving others.
Guided by the Gospel message, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” the CBA Service Program aims to broaden students’ perspectives and connect them with individuals and communities in need.
To graduate, each student must complete a minimum of 70 service hours during their time at the Academy. In addition to this total, students are required to meet annual minimum service hour goals by class year. Even if a student fulfills the 70-hour graduation requirement early, they are still expected to complete the yearly minimums throughout their time at the Academy.
Students are encouraged to go beyond the required hours. The Class of 2025 averaged over 103 total service hours per student!
| Class Year | Required Service Hours |
|---|---|
| 9th Grade | 15 |
| 10th Grade | 20 |
| 11th Grade | 20 |
| 12th Grade | 15 |
Direct Service
To meet the required service hours, students must complete Direct Service that is hands-on, compassionate work that directly benefits individuals who are poor, needy, dependent, or otherwise marginalized.
Approved examples of Direct Service include serving at soup kitchens, food pantries, or shelters; tutoring underserved youth; visiting and spending time with nursing home residents; teaching CCD or serving as an altar server; and leading a student-organized service project under the guidance of a Faculty Mentor.
Certain types of service do not qualify toward the required hours. These include household chores or filing papers, coaching teams that do not serve disadvantaged youth, any paid work, and volunteer efforts that do not involve direct engagement with those in need.
If you're unsure whether your service qualifies, please speak with Mr. Meehan for clarification before beginning the activity.
Extracurricular Service
Extracurricular Service Hours are acts of service that may not fulfill the “Direct Service” requirement but still demonstrate a student’s commitment to helping others and contributing to the community. These hours are an important part of a student's overall service record at the Academy.
Some examples include coaching at your former middle or elementary school, assisting with CBA events such as setup, cleanup, or logistics, and participating in town clean-ups, community gardening projects, or local service drives.
While these hours do not count toward the required Direct Service totals, they do count toward your total number of hours served while at CBA. They are also considered for applications to the National Honor Society, as well as college and job applications.
Students must submit an Extracurricular Service Verification Form, available on the Class Pages, and return it to Mr. Meehan. If these hours are completed during the summer, no proposal is needed, just submit the form to Mr. Meehan in September.
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Tips for Students & Families
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Start early! Don’t wait until the end of the year to begin your service.
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Track hours often: Keep a digital or physical record of your hours and get all forms signed.
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Ask questions! Not sure if your service qualifies? Reach out to Mr. Meehan for approval.