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Student Service Learning (SSL) → For Nonprofit Organizations

For Community Organizations

Student Service Learning (SSL) Program Requirements

  • All service for which SSL hours are awarded must be performed with an MCPS SSL organization (including faith-based agencies or institutions) listed on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website OR an organization that has been pre-approved using MCPS Form 560-50.
  • All service must meet Maryland's Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning
  • All service must include the 3 core components of Student Service Learning: Academic Preparation, Service Action, and Structured Reflection
  • Adults representing the approved community organization (not parents/guardians or relatives of students) must supervise opportunities that address real community need in public places.


Verification of Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours

  • Adult supervisors must provide details about the student's engagement in academic preparation and service action on MCPS Form 560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification, before completing the Service Record information (dates of service, hours earned, supervisor signature, etc.).
  • Must award 1 SSL hour for every hour of service in the community earned outside of the instructional school day. Maximum of 8 hours within a 24-hour period.


Additional SSL Guidelines and Requirements 

  • Must not provide opportunities that involve door-to-door canvassing or telephone solicitation.
  • Must not provide financial compensation to students for their service.
  • Must not award SSL hours for involvement in opportunities that occur in private residences.*
  • Must not permit discrimination or harassment of any kind.


SSL Guidelines and Requirements for Virtual/Remote Opportunities

Students may earn SSL hours for completing virtual/remote SSL opportunities in their own homes that meet the MCPS SSL Guidelines for Virtual/Remote Service.

  • For MCPS SSL organizations, all virtual/remote opportunities must be posted on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website for the MCPS SSL office to review  
  • For all other organizations, the student and organization must complete and submit MCPS Form 560-50 to SSL@mcpsmd.org for review at least two weeks prior to service

 

For More Information

For comprehensive information regarding the MCPS SSL guidelines and requirements, please go to Montgomery County Volunteer Center website or contact the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org.