You need 75 SSL (Student Service Learning) hours to graduate in the state of Maryland.
Students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school and can start earning SSL hours the summer after grade 5.
Students may continue to earn SSL hours throughout middle school and high school.
Reminder: All SSL forms should be submitted to the school’s SSL coordinator by the recommended due date of January 5, 2024, but no later than the required deadline of May 31, 2024.
Email the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org with questions
The Keeping It Safe Student Video Contest is now open!
Students may earn 10 SSL hours
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.
Students, please do not use student_ID@mcpsmd.net as your contact information when registering for SSL opportunities on the MCVC website. Please use another email address.
Systemwide Student Documentation Timeline | |
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Time Frame of Service | Documentation Due Date |
Service completed during the summer | September 29, 2023 |
Service completed during the summer and 1st semester | January 5, 2024 |
Service completed during the summer, 1st semester, and 2nd semester | May 31, 2024* |
**All SSL Forms for service completed after June 1, 2023, through the end of the 2023-2024 school year, are REQUIRED to be submitted to the school SSL Coordinator no later than May 31, 2024
Systemwide SSL Award Timeline | |
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Award | Documentation Due Date |
Documentation that qualifies seniors for Certificate of Meritorious Service - This award, along with a purple tassel for graduation, is given to seniors who earn 240 SSL hours or more. | April 5, 2024* |
Documentation that qualifies middle school students for the Superintendent’s SSL Award. This award is given to students who meet the 75 hour graduation requirement during middle school and is only awarded once. | April 5, 2024* |
*The required deadline for all documentation that qualifies seniors for Certificates of Meritorious Service and middle school students for the Superintendent’s SSL Award is April 5, 2024. All SSL forms (MCPS Form 560-51: Student Service Learning Activity Verification) should be submitted to the school’s SSL coordinator by April 5, 2024, to be considered for these awards.
*Traditionally, the required deadline for all SSL forms every school year is the first Friday in June. However, due to the timing of this year’s academic calendar, the deadline for submitting SSL forms for the 2023-2024 school year will be May 31, 2024, to allow SSL Coordinators enough time to review and process all forms before the end of the school year.
Martin Luther King III recorded this video for MCPS students and staff sharing appreciation for their service, acknowledging the challenges of the past few years, and encouraging acts of service and expressions of gratitude as it fosters well-being.
Tilden Middle School hosts an annual Day of Caring where students participate in a service learning project during every period of the half day. Students and staff build a culture of kindness through dedicating the day to serving others and hosting projects for various organizations. Edutopia chose to document this exemplary practice and share it with the world.