Student Service Learning (SSL)
SSL Form Submission Deadline - Friday, May 29, 2026
2025-2026 SSL Message Translated
Please Submit All SSL Forms to Room 106
Eastern's SSL Coordinator is Mr. Nicholas Towson
Any middle school student who has submitted documentation to show the completion of the 75-hour SSL graduation requirement (for the first time in middle school) by March 27, 2026, will receive the Superintendent’s SSL Award.
SSL Resources
- https://bit.ly/SSLHubMCPS - SSL forms, resources, and guidelines in one place!
- https://bit.ly/SSLOpportunities - all nonprofit-hosted SSL opportunities
- https://bit.ly/VirtualSSL2020 - all nonprofit-hosted virtual/remote SSL opportunities
- https://bit.ly/SSLOrganizations - full list of all MCPS SSL Organizations
- https://bit.ly/SSLOpps23-24 - monthly highlighted SSL opportunities
- https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020 - SSL program overview slideshow
- https://bit.ly/SSLonVUE - step-by-step directions for checking SSL record
- Introduction to SSL Handout:English | Español | 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse
SSL Opportunities
- Monthly May SSL Opportunities
- The 2025-2026 MCPS Student Expectations Lessons are available on Canvas for students to access. Students must fully complete both modules to earn 3 SSL hours.
- Youth Gun Violence Prevention Summit (May 9, 2026, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) - FOR CURRENT 8th-12th GRADERS - Join us to learn how to help end youth gun violence. Registration deadline is April 25. Additional information can be found at the following link.
- High School Student Election Workers Needed (Deadline: June 2, 2026) - The Montgomery County Board of Elections seeks students ages 16+ to register to vote and serve as a student election worker! To learn more, please visit this link.
- Additional May 2026 SSL Opportunities
The state of Maryland requires all students to complete 75 hours of Student Service Learning (SSL) in order to graduate. Students may begin working on this requirement as soon as they complete 5 th grade. Students earn some SSL hours through middle school and high school courses.
Grade 6: Science
Grade 7: English
Grade 8: US History
Parents should be aware that simply working as an unpaid volunteer does not necessarily qualify as SSL. The rules for where a student may earn SSL hours, how to receive credit for the hours earned, and other topics can be found on the MCPS website:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/pages/overview.aspx
It is very important that students check the MCPS website prior to undertaking any volunteer service. The website includes a link to the Montgomery County Volunteer Center's list of volunteer opportunities.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/
Those organizations marked with a graduation cap are pre-approved for SSL.
Students who wish to volunteer at an organization not on the list should submit an approval request to Eastern's SSL coordinator using MCPS form 560-51 prior to serving as a volunteer.
SSL service should be recorded on an MCPS form 560-50 that has been signed by an adult at the organization. Forms 560-50 are due at the end of each semester. No credit will be given for volunteer service in previous semesters.
Eastern's SSL Coordinator is Mr. Nicholas Towson.