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What is Student Service-Learning (SSL)?

What is Student Service-Learning (SSL)?

What is Service-Learning?

Service-Learning is a teaching method that combines meaningful service to the community with curriculum-based learning. Students improve their academic skills by applying what they learn in school to the real world; they then reflect on their experience to reinforce the link between their service and their learning.

"Maryland's Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning:

      1. Meet a Recognized Need in the Community.
      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."1

Why Service-Learning?

Its important that young people learn the value of giving back to the community. Together- we can restore values that have been taught to us by our forefathers. Together we can make a difference in our community and in the world. 

SSL in PGCPS

Per Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE): All students must earn a total of 75 hours in order to earn a high school diploma.

  • Required number of hours: 75
    • Infused hours: 51
      • 51 hours are “infused” into the Science and Social Studies curricula for Grades 5-10 in PGCPS. See the chart below.
      • To earn infused service-learning hours, students must:
        1. actively engage in all service activities in the class; and
        2. earn a letter grade of at least a “D.”
          Curriculum-Infused Service-Learning 
          Grade Dept. Course Name       Hours
          5 Science Grade 5 Science 4
          6 Science Grade 6 Science 4
          6 Social Studies World Cultures and Geography I: The Western Hemisphere 4
          7 Science Grade 7 Science 4
          7 Social Studies World Cultures and Geography II: The Eastern Hemisphere 4
          8 Science Grade 8 Science 4
          8 Social Studies United States History I: The Revolution to Reconstruction 4
          9 Social Studies United States History II: Reconstruction to the Present 7
          9 Science Integrating the Sciences 7
          10 Social Studies Local, State, and National Government 9
              Total 51
    • Independent hours:  24
      • Independent service-learning hours are service-learning hours that are independently earned at a community-based site that is chosen by the student. Students must complete 24 independent service-learning hours between Grades 6-12. See the chart below. 

        Independent Service-Learning
        Grade Expected Hours
        6 4
        7 4
        8 4
        9 6
        10 6
          Total 24

Independent Hours

  • Students may begin earning hours after completing 5th grade.
  • Middle School students are required to earn 8 Service-Learning Hours.

Steps for Earning Independent Hours

  1. FIRST: (PREPARATION) Consider what activity you want to do or what specific organization you want to work with.
    1. SSL activities can be done with nonprofit, for-profit, tax-exempt, private, and faith-based organizations/facilities.
    2. SSL and Church Activities
    3. Per MSDE students may not gain hours in any activity that is religious in nature. Community outreach events that the church may sponsor  (i.e food pantry, after-school tutoring) are permissible. 
  2. NEXT: Check the M-NCPPC (Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission) Volunteer Office for a list of sites.
  3. NEXT: (ACTION) If the organization and activities are:
    Pre-Approved Organization, Activities and Projects Organizations, Projects and Activities that need Pre-Approval  BEFORE service 
    Contact the organization and volunteer to serve.  Complete a Service Learning Site Approval Form and submit it to your SSL Coordinator for approval ​ PRIOR TO BEGINNING service. (The form is located on the PGCPS Student Service-Learning website.) 
    Participate in the SSL activity.  Upon receiving approval from the SSL Coordinator, participate in the SSL activity 
  4. Next: (REFLECTION) Complete a SSL Verification Form to document service performed in the summer or within each semester service is done.
  5. Last: Turn completed Verification Form into School-Based Service-Learning Coordinator by September 30 for summer service or by the end of each semester in which service is done for SSL hours to be reflected in the Student Information System (SIS) or on your official transcript.

If you need help, contact the School-Based Service-Learning Coordinator or Professional School Counselor at your school.

Independent Service-Learning hours ​CAN ONLY be conducted:

  • Before School Hours
  • After School Hours
  • Holidays and Weekends

Independent Service-Learning hours CAN NOT be conducted: During School Hours. 

Project 24

What is Project 24?

Middle and High School students now have the opportunity to earn SSL hours during the school day.

How will this be completed?

Under the direction of a teacher, counselor or staff member-students will complete a variety of activities designed to support and enhance the school community.

Throughout the school year, students can participate in one of the following school-based service-learning projects in order to reach the required 24-hour service-learning requirement!  All middle and high school students are eligible to participate in Project 24. Due dates are recommended only and can be adjusted. Seniors must have all Service-Learning hours completed prior to their prom date and/or the last day of school for seniors. Sixth - eleventh (6-11) graders may earn hours until the last day of school.

Schools are able to create and implement a specific project which meets the needs of the community.  Proposals must be submitted to Student Service-Learning Instructional Supervisor one week prior to the implementation date. Proposals can be submitted through the Project 24 In-School Service Learning Project Proposals Form.  

*Student's social media posts must be approved by the SSL Coordinators and/or Principal's designee prior to posting. Failure to obtain approval will result in forfeiture of hours. Students can screenshot approved posts to verify completed activity. 

**Student's letters must be of original thought and cannot be mass copied. Prior to email submission or postal mailing, letters must be approved by obtaining the signature of the SSL Coordinator(s) and/or Principal's designee.

SSL Information and Resources

Contact for Assistance

Any questions related to Student Service Learning should first go through your school based Student Service-Learning Coordinator and then be directed to the Student Service-Learning Instructional Supervisor.

Examples of “Independent” Service-Learning Opportunities for Students

  • LIBRARIES: hours. Many of the public libraries have programs designed to allow students to participate and earn service-learning
  • DAY CARE FACILITIES: Students must be working directly with children to promote healthy child development.  Acceptable activities may include reading to/with children, assisting with arts and crafts, supervising recreation time, completion of learning activities that provide school readiness, tutoring, etc…
  • TEACHER'S AIDE : Direct service for other students such as tutoring or creating educational displays or resources. Students  may also work within the school office, library or with the school nurse provided the experience still meets the program  guidelines.
  • SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY-BASED PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES: If​ the group is voluntarily performing in public (e.g., community parade or event, performing at a senior citizen center during the holidays) then students can earn service-learning hours for their service.
  • WORKING FOR INDIVIDUALS: With appropriate preparation and reflection on the issue affecting your neighbor, this may be turned into a service-learning project.  Students or parents should speak with the school service-learning coordinator to see if  an activity could be developed into a quality service-learning experience. 

Helpful Websites

Youth Service America

Do Something

Helping the Environment

Leadership

Helping Children/Mentoring

Helping the Homeless and the Hungry

1 Maryland State Department of Education, Retrieved on October 1, 2025, Service-Learning in Maryland, Maryland State Department of Education, https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/Service-Learning/index.aspx

Student Service Learning FAQs

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