The rule in one paragraph
PGCPS students must complete at least 75 SSL hours for a Maryland diploma. 51 are infused into science and social studies courses from grade 5 to grade 10: they go into SchoolMAX when you pass the course, with no form. The other 24 are independent hours you earn with community organizations and document on a signed verification form.
| Grade | Course with infused SSL | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Grade 5 Science | 4 |
| 6 | Grade 6 Science | 4 |
| 6 | World Cultures and Geography I: The Western Hemisphere | 4 |
| 7 | Grade 7 Science | 4 |
| 7 | World Cultures and Geography II: The Eastern Hemisphere | 4 |
| 8 | Grade 8 Science | 4 |
| 8 | United States History I: The Revolution to Reconstruction | 4 |
| 9 | United States History II: Reconstruction to the Present | 7 |
| 9 | Biology | 7 |
| 10 | Local, State, and National Government | 9 |
What counts and what does not
- Counts: independent service with nonprofit, tax-exempt, private or faith-based organizations that meets Maryland’s Seven Best Practices, with preparation, action and reflection.
- Counts: for-profit nursing homes, hospitals and licensed day-care facilities.
- Counts: pre-approved sites, such as those on the Student Service-Learning list of the M-NCPPC volunteer office (Prince George’s County parks).
- Counts: any other eligible site, once your SSL coordinator approves the Site Pre-Approval Form before you start.
- Does not count: service at a site that is not registered or pre-approved, unless your coordinator approved it before you started.
- Does not count: other for-profit businesses: only nursing homes, hospitals and licensed day-care facilities are accepted.
- Does not count: the infused hours of a course you do not pass: they are added when you pass it.
How to record your hours
For independent hours, use the Student Service-Learning Verification Form (Attachment 2 to AP 6151). You describe how you prepared and what you did, and write a reflection. The supervisor at the organization fills in their details and signs, a log lists each date and its hours with the supervisor's signature, and you and a parent or guardian sign. Turn it in to your school-based SSL coordinator.
For a site that is not already approved, fill in the Site Pre-Approval Form (Attachment 1) with the organization's representative and give it to your coordinator before you start. Submitting it does not mean approval, so wait for your coordinator's answer.
The verification form's deadlines are October 15 for hours from July 1 to August 30, January 31 for September 1 to January 31, and July 15 for February 1 to June 30. The district's step-by-step page says to turn summer forms in by September 30, so aim for that.
A simple pace
PGCPS expects about 4 independent hours a year in grades 6 to 8 and 6 a year in grades 9 and 10. One afternoon of service a year keeps you on track, and the infused hours arrive as you pass your science and social studies classes.
Ideas for your independent hours
Ask your SSL coordinator for approved sites, or check the parks department's Student Service-Learning list. Food banks, libraries, nursing homes and park cleanups are common choices; see 30 community service ideas and check each one with your coordinator first.
Keep your own record, free
Your school's system is the official record; keep your own copy too, with the date, the hours and who supervised you. Print the free volunteer hours log, work out your weekly pace with the volunteer hours calculator, or track it in My Award Tracker: set a goal of 24 hours for PGCPS independent SSL hours and see the hours left and the pace you need as you log.
Other states and districts: see community service hours to graduate, every state.
Frequently asked questions
How many SSL hours do PGCPS students need?
75: 51 infused into science and social studies courses from grade 5 to grade 10, and 24 independent hours.
What are infused SSL hours in PGCPS?
Hours earned through service-learning activities in science and social studies classes. They need no form and are entered into SchoolMAX when you pass the course.
How many independent SSL hours do PGCPS students need?
24 for the class of 2014 and later. The district expects about 4 a year in grades 6 to 8 and 6 a year in grades 9 and 10.
When is the PGCPS SSL verification form due?
October 15 for hours from July 1 to August 30, January 31 for September 1 to January 31, and July 15 for February 1 to June 30. The district’s step-by-step page asks for summer forms by September 30.
Where can PGCPS students do SSL hours?
Nonprofit, tax-exempt, private and faith-based organizations, and for-profit nursing homes, hospitals and licensed day-care facilities. A site that is not registered or pre-approved needs an approved Site Pre-Approval Form before you start.
Who signs the PGCPS SSL verification form?
The supervisor at the organization, who also signs the log next to each date. You and a parent or guardian sign the form too.