Student Service Learning (SSL)
STUDENTS! DID YOU KNOW?
You need 75 SSL (Student Service Learning) hours to graduate in the state of Maryland.
- 1. Login to StudentVUE to Check your SSL hours under Course History
- 2. Search and Sign Up for SSL opportunities
- 3. Fill out the SSL Form to submit proof
STUDENT SERVICE LEARNING ESSENTIALS
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.
Introduction to SSL Handout:
- English | Español | 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse
- Download SSL flyer
SSL Program Overview
SSL Coordinators
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 27, 2024, but no later than the required deadline of May 30, 2025,
Email the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org with questions
SSL Opportunities
Nonprofit-Hosted 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.
Virtual/remote opportunities
- Nonprofit-hosted virtual/remote MCPS SSL opportunities are tagged with the blue MCPS SSL banner and graduation cap icon on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website.
- All virtual/remote service must meet the MCPS SSL Guidelines for Virtual/Remote SSL Opportunities.
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.
SSL Forms
- SSL Activity Verification Form 560-51
Required to add SSL hours to student SSL record (a video providing detailed directions for completing this SSL form can be found at https://bit.ly/SSLForm101)
- Individual SSL Request Form 560-50
Required if the organization or opportunity is not identified with a graduation cap
on the MCVC website.
- School Hosted SSL Form 560-59
Required if the school is offering an SSL opportunity during the school day.
Contact Us
- Student-specific SSL questions:
Contact the school SSL Coordinator
HS SSL Coordinators
MS SSL Coordinators - General questions about the program:
Contact Ms. Donna Kleffman at 240-740-3977 or Mrs. Shella Cherry at 240-740-3977. - Email: SSL@mcpsmd.org.
Resources for Nonprofit Organizations
Important Systemwide Due Dates and SSL Award Information
| Systemwide Student Documentation Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Time Frame of Service | Documentation Due Date |
| Service completed during the summer | September 27, 2024 |
| Service completed during the summer and 1st semester | January 3, 2025 |
| Service completed during the summer, 1st semester, and 2nd semester | May 30, 2025* |
**All SSL Forms for service completed after June 1, 2024, through the end of the 2024-2025 school year, are REQUIRED to be submitted to the school SSL Coordinator no later than May 30, 2025
| 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. | April 4, 2025* |
| 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. | April 4, 2025* |
*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 April 4, 2025. All SSL forms (MCPS Form 560-51: Student Service Learning Activity Verification) should be submitted to the school’s SSL coordinator by April 4, 2025, to be considered for these awards.
*Traditionally, the required deadline for all SSL forms every school year is the first Friday in June. However, due to the timing of this year’s academic calendar, the deadline for submitting SSL forms for the 2024-2025 school year will be May 30, 2025, to allow SSL Coordinators enough time to review and process all forms before the end of the school year.
Martin Luther King III Special Video Message for MCPS
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.
Building a Culture of Kindness With a Day of Service
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.