Things to Know

Things to Know

• All service learning must be performed with a nonprofit tax-exempt organization.

• One service-learning hour is awarded for every hour of service outside of the instructional day. A maximum of 8 hours may be earned in a 24-hour period.

• All service-learning activities must be:

  •  secular - You cannot teach religion or religious ideas 

    • work with churches or religious organizations must be open to the public and for everybody in the community even if they are not part of the specific religion.

  • In a public place and supervised by a nonprofit organization adult representative. 

  • Parents or relatives cannot serve as supervisors for their child or relative.

• Assisted-living facilities and nursing homes are the only exception to the nonprofit rule. Students interested in earning service-learning hours at these facilities must submit MCPS Form 560-50, Individual Student Service Learning (SSL) Request in advance of the service.

• 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 performed during the summer;

  • the First Friday in January for service performed during the first semester

  • the First Friday in June for service performed during the second semester.