Helpful Links
Additional updates and information about the MCPS SSL program are provided below.
Learn more about the SSL graduation requirement and how to earn SSL hours.
Student Service Learning (SSL) Playlist
SSL Unlocked: How to Earn SSL Hours
From 0 to 75: The SSL Hour Sprint
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.
Many nonprofit-hosted in-person and virtual/remote SSL opportunities are already posted for the summer.
All opportunities (including in-person): https://bit.ly/SSLOpportunities
Virtual/remote opportunities: https://bit.ly/VirtualSSL2020
Tips for searching opportunities: https://bit.ly/SSLSearchTip
Students may continue to earn SSL hours for select virtual/remote service completed from home under the sponsorship of an approved nonprofit organization or MCPS staff member.
MCPS continues to support both nonprofit- and school-hosted virtual/remote SSL opportunities to expand access for students.
Virtual/remote SSL guidelines: https://bit.ly/VirtualSSLGuidelines
Students may also earn SSL hours through traditional in-person service under direct supervision of a nonprofit representative or MCPS staff member in a public setting.
All MCPS students need 75 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours to graduate. MCPS has updated its SSL forms, with critical new deadlines and revised links.
Key Form Changes
MCPS Form 560-51 (SSL Activity Verification Form)
In the updated form, organizations must provide academic preparation and service action details.
Additional space is available for more thoughtful student reflection.
MCPS Form 560-50 (Individual SSL Request)
Required for students to complete service with any community organization that is not listed as an MCPS SSL organization on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website (tinyurl.com/SSLOrganizations).
Organizations must provide academic preparation and service action details.
SSL Coordinators will accept the old SSL forms until Friday, Sept. 25. Any service completed after Friday, Sept. 25, should be documented using the new forms.
Step-by-step directions for viewing a student’s SSL record.
Complete overview of SSL requirements, guidelines, process, awards, and forms.
https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020
Central hub for SSL forms, translated resources, guidelines, and more.
If you have any questions about the SSL program before the end of the school year, please email your school’s SSL coordinator (https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsMS and https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsHS). If you have any questions about the SSL program during the summer, please email the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org. Thank you!
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 26, 2025, but no later than the required deadline of May 29, 2026.
Students who wish to submit SSL forms from previous school years must write an appeal to the school’s principal outlining the circumstances for why the SSL form(s) were not turned in by the systemwide deadline. The school’s principal will consider the information presented and make a final decision about the appeal.
All SSL forms (MCPS Form 560-51: Student Service Learning Activity Verification form - https://bit.ly/SSLReflection ) should be submitted to the school’s SSL coordinator by the last Friday in May, to be considered for these awards.
Students are encouraged to join U.S. Congressman Jamie Raskin for a virtual Constitution Day webinar from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17. Students can earn up to two Service Learning hours (SSL) for participating. Spanish translation will be available. Register. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about rights, citizenship and democracy from a constitutional law scholar and former law professor. Students can submit questions for Congressman Raskin here.
September 6th – KindSoup for Students: Creamy Summer Squash Soup
September 19th – Germantown Outdoor Cleanup
September 27th – KindSoup for Students: Corn Chowder
Ongoing Opportunity – Bake a Casserole and/or Banana Bread for Cordell Place (Bethesda) or Goods for Good (Washington, DC
Through these opportunities, students can make a meaningful difference by preparing nutritious meals and baked goods for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Participants gain valuable service experience while directly supporting local nonprofit organizations that work to strengthen and serve our communities.
On October 18, 2026 the WOMEN’S BOARD SERVING MEDSTAR MONTGOMERY MEDICAL CENTER will be having our annual fall book sale from the Thrift Shop. The sale is from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. and located @ 17909 Prince Philip Drive, Olney, Md. We are looking for students to help with moving books and consolidating them as the sale goes on.
There will be two sessions that we need help with. One is to set up and keep the tables neat and that is from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. The second session is to consolidate the books and later take down and put away all the books and tables. That runs from 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm. If you are looking to help, please contact Judy Swanson @ judysswanson5@gmail.com.
Thanks so much for any help you can give us.
There are many SO MANY SSL opportunities available to students during the month of April!
The 2025-2026 MCPS Student Expectations Lessons are available on Canvas for students to access. Students must fully complete both modules to earn 3 SSL hours
The Division of Title 1 is excited to announce the return of student volunteers for the 2026 ELO Summer Programs.
The program runs from July 7 to July 30, Monday through Thursday, for 5.5 hours per day.
Student volunteers are welcome to utilize MCPS bus transportation provided to program participants within each school’s normal catchment area, and volunteers will be provided breakfast and lunch daily, free of charge.
The window to register as a volunteer will be open from April 27 to June 5. Registration will take place on a first come, first served basis.
Student volunteers may only register for one location and must be available for at least 12 of the 15 days of the program.
· Information regarding the application process for each school site can be found at this link.
plantingSTEMs was developed under the mentorship of Lynne Harris, former Montgomery County Board of Education member, and our organization has raised over $1,000 to support STEM workshops, educational materials, and community outreach initiatives for local students.
We are currently expanding our leadership team and school chapter network for the upcoming school year, and we would greatly appreciate it if you could share this opportunity with students at your school.
Students can apply to:
· Join the plantingSTEMs leadership team
· Volunteer at future STEM workshops and outreach events
· Start an official plantingSTEMs chapter at their school
· Help coordinate outreach and community engagement efforts
In partnership with the Rockville Science Center, we will also continue building volunteer and SSL hour opportunities throughout the fall as we expand our programming and workshops.
Students involved with plantingSTEMs may also become eligible for graduation cords based on leadership involvement and service contributions.
We are especially looking for students interested in STEM, leadership, education, outreach, and community impact.
Application link: https://forms.gle/VgoK1FRixa5jqqKX8
Green Corners for Everyone is hosting a Community Build Day on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 1-5 PM EST at 16501 Redland Rd, Rockville, MD 20855 to build a small green corner/pocket park.
Green Corners for Everyone (GC4E) is a student-led environmental sustainability initiative that aims to convert underused public spaces into a vibrant, lively green corner/pocket park to make nature more accessible. GC4E is an initiative started by students as part of SGAP Leaders' Sustainability Fellows 2026 Program.
Students can sign up and earn SSL hours using the form below:
https://forms.gle/6jxvfSr1w86u3kXJA.
If students are unable to attend Community Build Day, there are other ways to participate and earn SSL hours (refer to the sign-up form to learn more).
Deadline to sign-up: Saturday, May 14, 2026 (1-5 PM)
On May 17th, 2026, the WOMEN’S BOARD SERVING MEDSTAR MONTGOMERY MEDICAL CENTER will be having our annual fall book sale from the Thrift Shop. The sale is from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. and located @ 17909 Prince Philip Drive, Olney, Md. We are looking for students to help with moving books and consolidating them as the sale goes on.
There will be two sessions that we need help with. One is to set up and keep the tables neat and that is from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. The second session is to consolidate the books and later take down and put away all the books and tables. That runs from 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm. If you are looking to help, please contact Judy Swanson @ judysswanson5@gmail.com.
Thanks so much for any help you can give us.
The Montgomery County Out of the Darkness Community Walk is organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Our event aims to raise awareness, support those impacted by suicide, and promote mental health in our community.
Students can assist with:
• Researching community tabling opportunities and outreach events
• Helping identify potential sponsorship opportunities with local businesses
• Supporting fundraising and awareness efforts
• Assisting on the day of the event with registration, T-shirt distribution, and participant support
This is a great way for students to earn SSL hours and support mental health awareness and suicide prevention in Montgomery County.
For more information, please contact:
Alnicia Gibson
Walk Chair, Montgomery County Out of the Darkness Community Walk
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
240-425-5033
Event Website: afsp.org/montgomeryco
The Sandy Spring Museum’s annual Strawberry Festival is looking for youth volunteers to help in a variety of ways throughout the festival on June 6, 2026. Choices include festival mascot (to walk around in a strawberry costume), set-up and clean up, kids’ games, admissions, petting zoo, strawberry sales, and plant sales. SSL hours are available; water and snacks are provided.
The festival runs 10 AM - 5 PM; shifts are 3 hours long, beginning at 7 AM.
Sign up for a shift (or two!) at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EA4AC2AA1FEC07-61858874-2026
To View Opportunities, Click Here
Student Service Learning (SSL) is a Maryland state graduation requirement. 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.
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 26, 2025, but no later than the required deadline of May 29, 2026,
Students who wish to submit SSL forms from previous school years must write an appeal to the school’s principal outlining the circumstances for why the SSL form(s) were not turned in by the systemwide deadline. The school’s principal will consider the information presented and make a final decision about the appeal.
All MCPS students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate.
**All SSL forms should be turned in to the counseling office.
Introduction to SSL Handout:
English | Español | 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse
SSL Hours Earned
How to check your SSL hours on Student/Parent Vue
SSL Forms, Guidelines and Resources
MCPS SSL Hub for Students/Families.
SSL Opportunities
https://bit.ly/SSLOpportunities
https://bit.ly/VirtualSSL2020
SSL Coordinators
High School SSL Coordinators
Middle School SSL Coordinators
SSL Program Overview Slideshow
https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020
English | Español | 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse