Scotties Serve

Demonstrating academic progress, GPA thresholds, and staying on track for graduation.

To fulfill Criterion 1, you must be on track to graduate (completing at least 90% of your required credits) and meet one of the following options:

• Pathway 1: Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 AND pass core Helix Social Science course/s with a 70% (C-) or higher:
  • Ethnic Studies / ITSS / AP Human Geography
  • World History / AP World History
  • U.S. History / APUSH / U.S. Sports History
  • Political Science / POLS C1000
• Pathway 2: Demonstrate documented academic growth or steady progress toward your Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.

Extenuating Circumstances: If you have experienced significant hardship, you may apply for an Undue Hardship Waiver. This requires submitting a reflection letter with supporting evidence demonstrating your personal growth, persistence, and effort over your four years of high school.

HOW

1. Check Your Credits: Log into your student portal to verify that you are on track to graduate with at least 90% of your required credits completed.
2. Verify Your Pathway: Review your transcript to confirm whether you meet Pathway 1 (2.0+ GPA + passing 3 of 4 core Social Science classes) or Pathway 2 (IEP goals).
3. Apply for a Waiver (If Applicable): If personal or medical hardship impacted your academic standing, meet with your counselor to request an Undue Hardship Waiver packet, draft your reflection letter, and gather work samples showing your improvement over time.
4. Submit Your Verification: Turn in your verified transcript or completed waiver packet to your counselor or SSCE coordinator.

Academic Readiness: Submission Form

You will demonstrate your civics knowledge by completing two main tasks: uploading class projects to your digital portfolio (Part A) and passing a civics exam (Part B).

Part A: Social Science SSCE_Artifacts

An artifact is simply a graded project, research assignment, or inquiry paper from one of your Social Science classes. You will upload these directly to your digital portfolio.

The number of required projects depends on your graduation year:

Part B: The Civics Exam

You must pass a 60-question Civics Exam covering basic government operations and history.

What is on the Exam?

• 45 Federal Questions: Covers U.S. government, history, and rights (based on the official U.S. Citizenship Civics Test).
• 15 Local & Regional Questions: Covers state and local governance, including California, San Diego County, and the Kumeyaay Nation.

When & Where Do You Take It?

• In Class: You will take the exam during your senior Political Science class at Helix. 
• Makeups & Retakes: If you need to retake the test or take it outside of class, testing sessions are offered twice a year (once in the Fall and once in the Spring).

1. Identify Your Artifact Count: Check your graduation year to confirm whether you need 1, 2, 3, or 4 total artifacts.
2. Collect and Upload Artifacts: Save qualifying project-based assignments or inquiry tasks from your Social Science courses, complete the required reflection, and upload them to your SSCE Google Folder.
3. Prepare for the Civic Exam: Review study materials covering federal civics as well as California, San Diego, and Kumeyaay Nation governance.
4. Take the Exam: Complete the exam during your senior Political Science course, or sign up for an alternative Fall/Spring testing date and to get study materials, contact Mrs. Dolphin (dolphin@helixcharter.net) or Mr. Morris (morris@helixcharter.net) for testing dates.

Civic Knowledge: Submission Form

Completing the 4-phase service-learning project log (Problem, Research, Systems Map, Action).

To satisfy Criterion 3, you will complete a student-led Informed Civic Action project through a structured 4-phase Inquiry Arc within your CTE pathway, student club, or Helix class.

The Golden Rule: Service Learning counts toward your 40-hour Helix community service requirement, but standard volunteering alone does NOT qualify for the SSCE!

• Service Learning (SSCE Standard): Focuses on root causes and systemic solutions (e.g., analyzing local plastic ordinances, researching food deserts, or proposing policy changes to local decision-makers).
• Community Service (Traditional Volunteerism): Focuses on immediate symptoms (e.g., picking up beach trash, donating canned food, or volunteering at a shelter).

Complete the following items in order:

Phase 3.1 only    

Phase 3.2-3.4  

Submitting phased reflection entries that evaluate personal growth and community impact.

Complete the standardized 3-part reflection process and upload tangible evidence of your project’s community impact to your digital portfolio.

1. Write Your Pre-Action Reflection: Before starting field work, complete the initial reflection section in your digital portfolio to establish your project goals.

2. Write Your Mid-Project Reflection: Midway through your project, log your progress, document interactions with stakeholders, and adjust your plan as needed.

3. Compile Evidence of Impact: Collect physical or digital proof of your completed civic action (e.g., policy proposals, slides, meeting notes, photos) as you work.

4. Write Your Post-Action Reflection: Complete your final reflection analyzing how your project impacted community systems, influenced decision-makers, and grew your civic leadership skills.

5. Submit Portfolio for Scoring: Upload your three reflection responses and evidence of impact files to your Scotties Serve Google Drive folder for facilitator rubric scoring.

• Three Reflections: Complete structured reflections at three critical milestones across your project timeline:
  • Pre-Action Reflection: Completed before starting field work to set your initial civic goals and baseline expectations.
  • In-Action Reflection: Completed during field work to track progress, evaluate team dynamics, and adapt to obstacles.
  • Post-Action Reflection: Completed after field work to evaluate outcomes, personal growth, and systemic community impact.
• Evidence of Impact: Collect physical or digital proof of your completed civic action

Earning endorsements from community partners, advisors, or teachers via the Character Matrix.

1. Civic Character Matrix Evaluation: Assessed across four core traits by your project lead (Community Partner Lead, Club Advisor, CTE Instructor, or Teacher Lead):

2. Behavior & Attendance Verification: Maintain a clean school discipline record and regular attendance. Note: Students with past behavioral or attendance challenges can still qualify by documenting personal growth and positive change over time.

3. Administrative Audit: School counselors or administrators will conduct a Student Information System (SIS) behavior and attendance audit, followed by a final spot-check certification by the SSCE Coordinator.

1. Distribute the Character Matrix: Share the Civic Character Matrix with your Community Partner Lead, Club Advisor, or CTE Instructor near the completion of your project.
2. Obtain Evaluation & Signature: Ensure your evaluator scores your performance across the four character traits and signs the formal verification block.
3. Verify Behavioral & Attendance Standing: Confirm your school record shows positive standing (or work with your school counselor to document your progress and growth over time).
4. Upload Completed Matrix: Save and upload your signed Civic Character Matrix to your Scotties Serve Google Drive folder.
5. Await Final SSCE Certification: The SSCE Coordinator will audit your uploaded portfolio, conduct final SIS checks, and add your name to the official SSCE graduation roster.

Complete the following form:

Character Rubric