Student Service Learning Deadlines: 

 

SSL Important Links & Info

What is Student Service Learning?

"Student Service Learning (SSL) involves the active participation of students in thoughtful service. By addressing local and/or global needs students learn about their communities and themselves. SSL is a graduation requirement in the state of Maryland. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students meet the SSL graduation requirements in connection with non-profit, tax exempt organizations (see exceptions to non-profit tax exempt status in Questions About SSL on the MCPS web site)." 

SSL Information:

  • Learn about the SSL graduation requirement and how to meet it in MCPS by referring to the website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/
  • All SSL must be documented on MCPS Form 560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification and turned in the school-based SSL coordinator according to timelines.
  • All summer SSL documentation is due to the school-based SSL coordinator no later than the last Friday in September.
  • The MCPS SSL plan allows students to earn SSL hours in specific middle and high school courses, in school-sponsored clubs and organizations that have a service focus, and with approved, official nonprofit, tax exempt organizations in the community.  Know the SSL guidelines and follow them!
  • Summer SSL Opportunities must be pre-approved, details are available in the flyer.

 All MCPS students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school. Middle school and high school students should continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the 2023-2024 school year, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the amended guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org). 

Contact the SSL coordinator for QOHS

Gaithersburg Student Union

The Student Union is a club for high school students. After school programs, SSL opportunities, field trips, and admission to the Robertson Park Youth Center are included with Student Union Membership.

 Weekly meetings held on Wednesdays during lunch!  

Don’t forget to check your calendar for other after school activities!  These programs AND admission to the Robertson Park Youth Center FREE with your Student Union Membership!  No registration for these activities is necessary (transportation is not available).    

Visit our website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/youth-and-teen-activities/student-union.

Please refer to important information about the MCPS SSL program provided below:

SSL Hours Documentation

  • SSL forms for service completed after May 30, 2025, should be turned into the school’s SSL coordinator by the recommended due date of September 26, 2025. 
  • 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.

To view SSL forms and important due dates for the 2025-2026 school year, please click here.


Please note that all SSL forms for service completed during the summer of 2025 or the 2025-2026 school year should be submitted to the school’s SSL coordinator on a rolling basis by the recommended due dates of September 26, 2025, and January 9, 2026, but no later than the required deadline of May 29, 2026. 


To learn more about how to complete the SSL form, watch this video at https://bit.ly/SSLForm101 

Student SSL Records on Student/ParentVUE

Step-by-step directions for viewing a student’s full SSL record

Step-by-step directions may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLonVUE

Nonprofit-Hosted SSL Opportunities

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



MCPS Form 560-50:
Individual SSL Request Form

Used to obtain pre-approval prior to service with a nonprofit organization not listed on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website 

To request pre-approval for service, please complete https://bit.ly/SSLPreApproval 

  • for in-person service, submit this form to your school’s SSL coordinator
  • for virtual/remote service or service to be completed during the summer, submit this form to SSL@mcpsmd.org 

MCPS Form 560-51:
SSL Activity Verification Form

Used to verify and document SSL hours after service is completed

Student and supervisor must complete the form


To learn more about how to complete this SSL form, watch this video at https://bit.ly/SSLForm101 

SSL Activity Verification Forms (https://bit.ly/SSLReflection) for service completed should be turned into your school’s SSL coordinator. 

(All SSL forms for service completed during the summer of 2025 should be submitted to your school’s SSL coordinator by the recommended due date of Friday, September 26, 2025.)

MCPS SSL Hub for Students

Find SSL forms, translated resources, SSL guidelines, and much more!

Check out SSL forms, resources, guidelines, and much more at our new MCPS SSL Hub for Students --  https://bit.ly/SSLHubMCPS 

MCPS SSL Program Overview

Complete overview of SSL requirements, guidelines, process, awards, and forms

MCPS SSL Program Overview may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020  


If you have any questions about the SSL program during the summer, please email the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org. Thank you!