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Student Service Learning (SSL) → For Students

For Students


What is the SSL graduation requirement? 

  • MCPS students are required to earn 75 student service learning (SSL) hours for graduation. 
  • Students may begin earning student service learning (SSL) hours toward the graduation requirement the summer after completing Grade 5.
  • Hours are accrued throughout middle school and high school.

What are the requirements for SSL opportunities?

  • SSL opportunities must address a specific community need or issue through direct, indirect, or advocacy service
  • SSL opportunities must contain explicit instruction in service-learning; cover the SSL core components of Academic Preparation, Service Action, and Structured Reflection; and meet the Maryland Seven Best Practices of Student Service Learning 

  • Students must participate in opportunities that are hosted and supervised by community organizations that meet the MCPS SSL guidelines:

    • May participate in service-learning opportunities with a community organization identified as an MCPS SSL organization with a graduation cap graduation cap on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website, or

    • Must submit a completed MCPS Form 560-50, Individual Student Service Learning Request, to receive approval to serve with any organization or opportunity that is not identified with a graduation cap graduation cap on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website. 

What are the due dates for SSL forms?

  • Students must verify service-learning experiences using MCPS Form 560-51 Student Service Learning Activity Verification, and submit it to the school-based SSL coordinator according to the following timelines:

    • the last Friday in September for service completed during the summer;
    • the first Friday in January for service completed during the summer and first semester;
    • the last Friday in May or service completed during the summer, first semester, and second semester.

     

  • 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.

What are the MCPS SSL awards?

  • Superintendent's Student Service Learning Award - Students who have met the 75-hour graduation requirement by the last Friday in March will be recognized for exceptional service in middle school (can only be earned once in middle school) 

  • Certificate of Meritorious Service - Students who have 240 or more documented hours of service by the last Friday in March of their senior year will be recognized for exceptional service (recognition includes an award certificate and a purple tassel to wear at graduation services)