Maryland's Largest School District
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
You need 75 SSL (Student Service Learning) hours to graduate in the state of Maryland.
Students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school and can start earning SSL hours the summer after grade 5.
Students may continue to earn SSL hours throughout middle school and high school.
Reminder: All SSL forms should be submitted to the school’s SSL coordinator when student return to school in the fall by the recommended due date of September 26, 2025, but no later than the required deadline of May 29, 2026,
Email the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org with questions
Digital Citizenship Week is widely recognized as a time to promote discussions and activities that educate school communities about the importance of using technology in a responsible, safe, and ethical manner. Equipping more individuals with knowledge of digital citizenship positively impacts our entire community
The Division of Specialized Support Services and the Montgomery County School Psychologists’ Association will co-host the 2025 Mental Health Resource Fair and Student Forum on November 8.
MCPS and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office are hosting a Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest for middle school and high school students that challenges teens to create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse or overdose and fentanyl among teens.
MCPS is looking for HS students 18+ to judge student projects at the National History Day County Competition on Saturday, March 7, 2026! Students will receive 6 SSL hours and lunch on the day of the event
The Keeping It Safe Video Contest (Deadline: March 31, 2026) is now open! Students may earn 5 SSL hours for quality video submissions about the risks and dangers of under 21 alcohol use. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this website.
Seeking HS students interested in assisting with the Grade 6 Outdoor Education program.
The Montgomery County Board of Elections seeks students ages 16+ to register to vote and serve as a student election worker!
View nonprofit-hosted SSL opportunities and MCPS's monthly list of highlighted in-person and virtual/remote SSL opportunities!
MCPS SSL organizations and opportunities are tagged with the blue MCPS SSL banner and graduation cap icon on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website.
Students, please do not use student_ID@mcpsmd.net as your contact information when registering for SSL opportunities on the MCVC website. Please use another email address.
on the MCVC website.
| Systemwide Student Documentation Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Time Frame of Service | Documentation Due Date |
| Service completed during the summer | September 26, 2025 |
| Service completed during the summer and 1st semester | January 9, 2026 |
| Service completed during the summer, 1st semester, and 2nd semester | May 29, 2026* |
**All SSL Forms for service completed after June 1, 2025, through the end of the 2025-2026 school year, are REQUIRED to be submitted to the school SSL Coordinator no later than May 29, 2026
| Systemwide SSL Award Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Award | Documentation Due Date |
| Documentation that qualifies seniors for Certificate of Meritorious Service - This award, along with a purple tassel for graduation, is given to seniors who earn 240 SSL hours or more. | March 27, 2026* |
| Documentation that qualifies middle school students for the Superintendent’s SSL Award. This award is given to students who meet the 75 hour graduation requirement during middle school and is only awarded once. | March 27, 2026* |
*The required deadline for all documentation that qualifies seniors for Certificates of Meritorious Service and middle school students for the Superintendent’s SSL Award is March 27, 2026. All SSL forms (MCPS Form 560-51: Student Service Learning Activity Verification) should be submitted to the school’s SSL coordinator by March 27, 2026, to be considered for these awards.
*Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the required deadline for all SSL forms every school year has been changed to the last Friday in May, to allow SSL Coordinators enough time to review and process all forms before the end of the school year.
Martin Luther King III recorded this video for MCPS students and staff sharing appreciation for their service, acknowledging the challenges of the past few years, and encouraging acts of service and expressions of gratitude as it fosters well-being.
Tilden Middle School hosts an annual Day of Caring where students participate in a service learning project during every period of the half day. Students and staff build a culture of kindness through dedicating the day to serving others and hosting projects for various organizations. Edutopia chose to document this exemplary practice and share it with the world.
