Student Service Learning (SSL)

Student Service Learning (SSL) is a state graduation requirement for all students between grades 6-12. Students learn from volunteering and providing meaningful service to the community. Service learning promotes civic knowledge, civic engagement, academic success, and character and social development in students. SSL is an important way for students to engage in the Be Well 365 Essential of Character Development and Empathy.

There are three types of service that students can engage in for Student Service Learning:   

• Direct Action—Students are face-to-face with the recipients of their service, such as in tutoring, visiting children in hospitals, or serving at a soup kitchen.   

• Indirect Action—Students have no direct contact with the service recipients, such as in collecting food and clothing or conducting fundraising events.   

• Advocacy Action—Students work to raise awareness or create change, such as participating in rallies and campaigns, writing letters, giving legislative testimony, or creating public service announcements. 

MCPS students must complete 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school. Students may begin earning SSL hours the summer after completing grade 5. Students continue to earn SSL hours throughout middle school and high school. Additional information for students and families are provided below. 

How can MCPS students earn SSL hours?