Meet a recognized need in the community.
Achieve curricular objectives through service-learning.
Reflect throughout the service-learning experience.
Develop student responsibility.
Establish community partnerships.
Plan ahead for service-learning.
Equip students with knowledge and skills for service.
Developed in collaboration with over 80 teachers throughout the state, Maryland’s Seven Best Practices align with national standards and are essential in creating exemplary student service–learning experiences in Maryland.
Submitting SSL Forms:
Please submit your completed and signed SSL form to Ms. Mathis by email: Stephanie Mathis, or put the form in the box in the main office.
MCPS SSL FORM: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/560-51.pdf
The county has specific guidelines that we must follow. Here is the link to the county's website for more information on those guidelines and other information - https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/
Check out the information about Student Service Learning on the MCPS website using these links: MCPS SSL Web | En español. All required forms can be printed from the MCPS SSL Web.
We hope students are having a great start to the 2025-2026 school year! This is a reminder that any student who earned SSL hours this summer needs to turn in the SSL Verification Form to me by the last Friday in September, which is September 29th. Forms can be emailed to Ms. Mathis at Stephanie_Mathis@mcpsmd.org or dropped off at the main office.
If you still have questions about Student Service Learning after reviewing the information on these pages, contact Ms. Mathis by email or in person in the main office.
UPCOMING SSL Opportunities- September 2025
SSL Activities must be preapproved. The county must approve service-learning activities. To check if the activity is approved, go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl. If your organization is not pre-approved, you must complete the pre-approval form (560-50) and turn it in to Mrs. Mathis before you begin the activity.
Verifying Non-Profit Status for Organizations
Montgomery County Volunteer Center
Filter by name, and search for one distinguishing word in the org name
Click on the organization’s tile, and look for the MCPS SSL graduation cap icon:
Searching for MCPS SSL Opportunities
Guidestar
Search by organization name or
federal EIN number:
Make sure there are no revocation flags and the information matches what is provided on the SSL form.
Some nonprofit organizations have large dollar amounts of Gross Receipts and Assets – that is okay!