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SSL Program Overview

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) believes that service-learning addresses recognized community needs and is connected to curriculum goals. All direct, indirect, and advocacy action include the three core components of academic preparation, service action, and structured reflection. Quality service-learning provides the student with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and career exploration opportunities that lead to effective citizenship in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. MCPS is committed to quality service-learning experiences for all students.

MCPS SSL Program Details


What is the SSL graduation requirement?

  • MCPS students are required to earn 75 student service learning (SSL) hours for graduation.

  • Students may begin to earn student service learning (SSL) hours the summer after completing Grade 5. They continue to accrue hours through middle and high school.

  • Students who enter MCPS for the first time in the following grade levels will be required to earn the following number of SSL hours:

    Grade Level SSL Requirement
    Grade 6 75 hours
    Grade 7 65 hours
    Grade 8 55 hours
    Grade 9 45 hours
    Grade 10 35 hours
    Grade 11 20 hours
    Grade 12 10 hours

 


How do students earn SSL hours towards the graduation requirement?

  • Students complete the service-learning requirement through:

    • Full participation in the SSL aspects and successful completion of specific middle school and high school courses. (Grade 6 science, Grade 7 English, Grade 8 Social Studies, HS National, State and Local Government, HS Health B, and specific high school electives identified in the MCPS Course Bulletin);

    • Full participation in service activities hosted by school-sponsored clubs and organizations supervised by an MCPS staff member; and

    • Full participation in opportunities and organizations that meet MCPS SSL guidelines:

      • MCPS SSL organizations are identified with a graduation cap graduation cap on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website. Organizations with the graduation cap graduation cap have attended an orientation and provided information to the Montgomery County Public Schools and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center about their organization and service-learning opportunities.

      • Students interested in earning SSL hours with organizations that are not identified as an MCPS SSL organization with a graduation cap graduation cap on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website must submit MCPS Form 560-50, Individual Student Service Learning (SSL) Request, to the school-based SSL coordinator at least two weeks in advance of any service.

      • Students interested in earning SSL hours by supporting political parties or individuals running for public office must first secure approval of MCPS Form 560-50, Individual Student Service Learning Request.  Neither door-to-door neighborhood canvassing nor solicitation of financial donations are permitted for SSL hours.
What are the requirements for SSL opportunities?
  • All SSL opportunities must meet Maryland's Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning and include the three core components of Academic Preparation, Service Action, and Structured Reflection.
  • All SSL opportunities must occur in a public place and be supervised by an adult representative of a community organization. Parents/guardians or relatives cannot serve as supervisors for their child or relative.
  • One SSL hour is awarded for every hour of service outside of the instructional day. A maximum of 8 SSL hours may be earned in a 24-hour period.

How are SSL hours added to a student's SSL record?

  • All service learning must be documented on MCPS Form 560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification. All documentation must be turned in to the SSL coordinator according to timelines:

    Time Frame of Service Documentation Due Date
    Service completed during the summer Last Friday in September
    Service completed during the summer and 1st semester First Friday in January
    Service completed during the summer, 1st semester, and 2nd semester Last Friday in May

     

  • All SSL Forms for service completed any time during the current school year and the summer before the current school year are REQUIRED to be submitted to the school SSL coordinator no later than the last Friday in May.

  • Hours served with community organizations prior to enrollment in MCPS in middle or high school must be submitted on official documentation for inclusion in MCPS records.

  • Any appeals of SSL decisions may be made by students in writing to the school administrator.