Earn a Diploma That Shows Your Civic Know-How
Picture yourself walking across the graduation stage with a diploma that tells colleges and employers two things: you understand how our government works, and you’ve stepped up to serve your community. That’s what a civics seal does. It’s a special endorsement on a high school diploma for students who go above and beyond in civic knowledge, community engagement, and service. A growing number of states offer one, and each state names it differently: the Seal of Civics Literacy, Civics Readiness, or Civics Engagement.
To see whether your state has one, search your state department of education’s website for “civics seal” or “diploma seal.” Your school counselor or social studies teacher can also walk you through the requirements. Most seals ask you to show what you know, take part in civic learning programs, and make a difference in your community, and the free resources below can help with all three. If your state doesn’t offer a seal yet, these programs still build skills that stand out on college and scholarship applications. Parents and educators will also find tools here to support the students in their lives.
O'Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club
Free | Online | Extracurricular | Nationwide
Bring your curiosity and your voice. You don’t need any debate experience. This free, online club for 9th–12th grade students meets monthly on Zoom from September through May. Members talk through civics topics tied to real-world issues and hear perspectives from peers across the country. Between meetings, a private members-only app keeps the conversation going. Seniors can earn a graduation cord and apply for the $5,000 John Jay Fetzer Memorial Scholarship.
Civics Challenge | For Middle & High School Students
Get inspired by our 2026 winners!
Got something to say about civics? Say it creatively! The Civics Challenge is a national online competition for students in grades 6–12. You choose a civics topic and create a video or original song up to two minutes long. Topics range from the three branches of government to the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Ten winners- five in middle school and five in high school- each receive a $1,000 cash award.
Entries are open through April 16, 2027.
Before It Became History Podcast
Before they were chapters in your textbook, they were real people making hard choices. Before It Became History is a podcast from the O’Connor Institute that looks past the legends at the decisions, conflicts and ideas that shaped the American story. Episodes cover topics from the Homestead Act to the Mexican-American War. Each one comes with a companion page of additional resources, so it’s an easy way to build your knowledge whenever you have a few minutes.
Explore Our Three Pillars
Civics Education
Get to know the foundations, from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to the three branches of government. Readable guides explain how elections and the Electoral College work, how political parties developed, and what state and local governments do. It’s a strong refresher before any civics test.
Civil Discourse
Disagreeing well is a skill, and you can practice it. Learn what civil discourse really means, how it shapes public policy, and how to have good-faith conversations about challenging issues, even with people who see things differently.
Civic Engagement
Ready to get involved? Find practical ways to make a difference in your community. You can also look up your state legislators and use state-specific links to register to vote and find your polling place when you’re eligible. Plus, read stories of everyday civic leaders who are making an impact close to home.
Civics Requirements Vary Widely by State
20
States offer the Seal of Civics Literacy for high school diplomas
9
States are either in pilot stages or have proposed offering the Seal of Civics Literacy
14
States have adopted requirements that require students to pass a civics test modeled on the U.S. Citizenship examination.
