Academy Life

The Brother Joseph Miggins Service Program is meant to inspire Academy men to become true community leaders through service for others. The heart of the Gospel, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” serves as the guiding principle. The program’s goal centers on expanding each student’s perspective of the world, those in it, and connecting them with the truly needy; those who seek a more human quality of life.

Service Hour Requirements by Class Year

To graduate, each Academy man is required to complete a minimum of 70 service hours. Additionally, every student must meet the service hour minimum requirement each year for their specific class year as set forth below. A student who completes 70 hours in one year is still required to complete the minimum hours each subsequent year. Students are encouraged to exceed the required amounts. The Class of 2022 averaged over 100 total hours per student.

Direct Service

Your required service must be supervised Direct Service to, for, and/or alongside those who are in significant need. You must provide generous service to the less fortunate, the needy, the dependent, lonely, and the poor. This service should require the student to have direct contact with those served. Direct service requires you to engage with those in need and others who serve them. Work in soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters, tutoring the disadvantaged, visiting and engaging nursing home patients, teaching CCD, or altar serving are good examples of what qualifies. Also, any service project organized by a student that includes multiple students and a Faculty Mentor will qualify. What does not qualify could be a selfless activity that may indeed be generous, but is not oriented towards the less fortunate, the needy, the dependent or the poor. For example filing papers at your mom’s office, household chores, coaching non disadvantaged youth, and anything you are paid for would not count for your Required Hours.

Extracurricular Service

In the 2022-2023 school year, we have introduced Extracurricular Service Hours. These hours reference any hours a student carries out for CBA and their local community that may not fit the criteria of Required Service Hours. Any selfless activity that may indeed be generous, but may not be oriented towards the less fortunate, the needy, the dependent or the poor certainly does qualify for Extracurricular Hours. These hours will be added to a student’s total number of hours served while at CBA and qualify for membership in organizations like NHS. Examples of such hours include coaching basketball at your former middle school, volunteering for a community gardening or clean-up efforts, moving boxes or setting up for a CBA event, etc. There is a separate Extracurricular Service Verification Form on the Class Pages. This form should be handed into Mr. Meehan anytime such a service is performed during the school year. If such hours are performed during the summer, a proposal is not necessary and the form can be handed into Mr. Meehan in September.

Start Early, Track Often!

Encourage your son to (1) start as soon as possible and (2) track his service hours. This is a vital component for completing his Service Hours Summary, the National Honor Society application, and any job or college applications.