Montgomery County Public Schools Recognized as a 2025 National Gold Ribbon School District in Service-Learning
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has been named one of six school districts nationwide to receive the 2025 National Gold Ribbon School Districts in Service-Learning honor from Youth Service America (YSA). The distinction recognizes school districts that have built a strong culture of service-learning—where students take the lead in identifying real-world problems, collaborating with community partners, and developing solutions that foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and hope through meaningful service.
This national recognition underscores MCPS's dedication to cultivating student leadership and meaningful community involvement across its 211 schools.
At MCPS, students engage in a wide range of leadership and community activities while earning Student Service-Learning (SSL) hours. In Maryland, students need 75 SSL hours to graduate and earn a Maryland state diploma. MCPS offers students diverse, accessible pathways to earn these hours through high-quality, impactful service-learning experiences, which include:
- Student voice and leadership
- Curriculum integration
- Service-learning accessibility to all students, including underserved communities
- Social & emotional learning
- Community partnerships
- After-school and summer engagement
- Recognition systems
- Sustaining initiatives
For more information about the 2025 Gold Ribbon School District in Service-Learning honorees, visit https://ysa.org/.