Student Service Learning (SSL)

Maryland’s Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning:

1.  Meet a recognized community need.

2.  Achieve curricular objectives through service-learning.

3.  Reflect throughout the service-learning experience.

4.  Develop student responsibility.

5.  Establish community partnerships.

6.  Plan ahead for service-learning.

7.  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.

All students must earn a total of 75 SSL hours to graduate. In addition to traditional in-person SSL opportunities, students may continue to engage in select virtual/remote service opportunities that adhere to our amended guidelines (tinyurl.com/VirtualSSLGuidelines)

We hope students had a wonderful summer and a great start to the 2026-2027 school year! This is a reminder that any student who earned SSL hours this summer must turn in the SSL Verification Form to me by the last Friday in September, September 25th.  You can email forms to Mrs. Mathis at Stephanie_Mathis@mcpsmd.org or drop them off at the main office. 

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. 

All SSL forms have been updated. Starting September 25, 2026, all forms that are turned in must be the updated SSL forms. We will deny old forms after September 25, 2026. All new forms are located below, on the MCPS website, or in our main office. 

Submit summer service hours by September 25, 2026. 

MCPS SSL FORMS: 

• Form 560-50 must be completed two (2) weeks PRIOR to submitting Form 560-1 if the organization is NOT LISTED as an approved MCPS SSL organization on the MCVC website. Individual Student Service Learning (SSL) Request Form: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/560-50.pdf

• Form 560-51 must be fully completed. If any portion of the form is missing, the form will be returned to your first period teacher for completion of the missing parts/section. All five (5) questions on the form must be answered. Again, if all the questions are not answered, the form will be returned to your first period teacher for completion. Student Service Learning Activity Verification Form:  https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/560-51.pdf

• Form 560-59 is for school staff who want to provide SSL opportunities to students during the day or virtuall/remotely. Please adhere to the MAY/MAY NOT key guidelines. Students will not earn the hours if the guidelines are not met. School Hosted Student Service Learning (SSL) Opportunity–During the School Day or Virtual/Remote Form: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/560-59.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. You can print all required forms from the MCPS SSL Web. 

If you still have questions about Student Service Learning after reviewing the information on these pages, contact Mrs. Mathis by email or in person in the main office.

MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hub for Students and Families

September 2026 SSL Information for MCPS Students

Verifying Non-Profit Status for Organizations

Verifying Non-Profits