Award of Excellence For Schools
The Volunteer Tennessee Award of Excellence for Volunteerism and Service-Learning (formerly known as the Seal of Approval) program provides recognition annually for K-12 schools (both private and public) engaged in volunteerism and service. This program is supported by Volunteer Tennessee, the state service commission, and provides an opportunity for schools to be honored for their outstanding work in the areas of service, service-learning, and volunteerism. The purpose of the recognition is to promote youth engagement in the improvement of their local communities.
Each school must complete an application detailing their service-learning and volunteerism efforts for the specified school year. provide a letter of support from its school administrator (principal or system administrator) indicating the school/district’s commitment to service.
The Application for the 2023 Award of Excellence is Now Available!
All K-12 schools (public and private) are invited to apply. Schools that would like to be considered for the 2023 Award of Excellence must complete an online application. Schools must detail service activities conducted during the 2022 calendar year.
- Please click here to access the application.
- If you would like to preview the application, please click here.
Deadline for submission is February 1, 2023. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest information concerning AOE.
Recognition: If approved, recognized schools will receive a certificate (suitable for framing) signed by the Volunteer Tennessee Executive Director and the Volunteer Tennessee Board of Director’s Chairperson. Recipients of this award will be recognized at the 2023 National Service-Learning Conference, hosted by the National Youth Leadership Conference in partnership with Volunteer Tennessee.
Questions may be directed to Candace Taylor at Candace.Taylor@tn.gov.
Additional Opportunities for Schools Engaged in Service:
The 2023 Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning will include a Student Track planned specifically by and for middle, high school, and college students. This track will provide a space for youth from Tennessee to connect over volunteerism, service-learning, and community engagement.
The following schools were recognized at the 2022 Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning held on February 14, 2022.
- Carpenters Elementary School, Maryville
- Central Magnet School, Murfreesboro
- Heritage High School, Maryville
- Jefferson County High School, Dandridge
- Madison Academy, Madison
- Mill Creek Middle School, Nolensville
- Newcomer International Center, Memphis
- Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge
- Unaka High School, Elizabethton
- Union Elementary STEM and Demonstration School, Gallatin
The following schools were recognized at the 2021 Virtual Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning on February 8, 2021:
- Beacon Academy
- Central Magnet School
- Fayette Academy
- Jackson Central-Merry Early College High School
- South Knoxville Elementary
- Unaka High School
- Union Elementary STEAM and Demonstration School
- University School of Nashville
- Whitwell High School
The virtual recognition ceremony is available to watch here.
The following schools were recognized at the 2020 Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning on February 11, 2020:
- Beacon Academy, Collegedale, TN
- Central Magnet School, Murfreesboro, TN
- Dover Elementary School, Dover, TN
- Ensworth School- High School Division, Nashville, TN
- Friendship Christian School, Lebanon, TN
- Jackson Central-Merry Early College High School, Jackson, TN
- Jefferson County High School, Dandridge, TN
- Johnson County High School, Mountain City, TN
- Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, TN
- Middle Tennessee Christian School, Murfreesboro, TN
- South Knoxville Elementary School, Knoxville, TN (Not pictured below)
- South Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, TN
- Unaka High School, Elizabethton, TN
- Union Elementary STEM and Demonstration School, Gallatin, TN
- University School of Nashville,Nashville, TN
- Whitwell High School, Whitwell, TN
The following schools were recognized at the 2019 Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning on February 11, 2019:
• Beacon Academy
• Central Magnet School
• Fayette Academy
• Ivy Academy Chattanooga
• Jefferson County High School
• South Pittsburg High School
• Unaka High School
• Union Elementary STEM and Demonstration School
• University School of Nashville
• Whitwell High School
The following schools were recognized at the 2018 Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning on March 12, 2018:
- Dickson County High School
- Fayette Academy
- Ivy Academy Chattanooga
- Union Elementary STEM and Demonstration School
- University School of Nashville
Additional Opportunities for Schools Engaged in Service:
The Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning includes a Student Track planned specifically by and for middle, high school, and college students. This track will provide a space for youth from Tennessee to connect over volunteerism, service-learning, and community engagement.