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.

*Students may earn SSL hours for completing virtual/remote SSL opportunities listed on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website in their own homes.

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