Student Service Learning

Michael Brown
Work Based Learning Teacher Specialist
Phone: 240-586-7764

Student Service Learning (SSL) is an essential part of education for middle and high school students in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). Our SSL program combines academic learning with community service, helping students develop valuable skills and a strong sense of civic responsibility. Through SSL, students apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations, deepening their understanding of academic content while contributing positively to their community.

What is Student Service Learning?

Student Service Learning is a teaching approach where students use their knowledge and skills to address community needs. This approach goes beyond traditional volunteer work by linking service activities to students’ academic goals. In FCPS, students in grades 6-12 participate in a variety of SSL projects that allow them to make meaningful contributions to their communities while learning valuable life and career skills.

Why is SSL Important?

Student Service Learning benefits students by:

  • Building Practical Skills: SSL helps students develop communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills, which are essential for college, careers, and life.
  • Connecting Classroom Learning to the Real World: SSL provides hands-on experience with the concepts they learn in school, making academic content more relevant and engaging.
  • Promoting Civic Responsibility: SSL encourages students to be active, responsible members of their communities who understand the importance of contributing to the common good.

How Does SSL Work in FCPS?

Middle and high school students have opportunities to participate in SSL projects in school, through extracurricular activities, or by joining community-based service initiatives. SSL activities may include environmental projects, supporting local nonprofits, organizing community events, or mentoring younger students. Every SSL project is designed to connect with educational standards, so students are both learning and making an impact.

SSL Graduation Requirement

In Maryland, students are required to complete a minimum of 75 SSL hours to graduate high school. FCPS supports students in meeting this requirement by offering SSL opportunities that integrate with their coursework, such as service-learning projects in science, social studies, or health classes. Students can also earn SSL hours through approved community-based service projects.

How Can Families Support Student Service Learning?

Families play a key role in supporting SSL by:

  • Encouraging Participation: Talk with your student about their interests and help them find SSL opportunities that match.
  • Exploring Community Needs: Engage with your student about ways they can help their community and discuss local issues they care about.
  • Tracking SSL Hours: Remind your student to keep track of their SSL hours and ensure they submit any required documentation to their school counselor.

Examples of SSL Projects in FCPS

Some examples of SSL projects students might participate in include:

  • Environmental clean-up events or conservation projects.
  • Tutoring or mentoring younger students.
  • Organizing food or clothing drives for local shelters.
  • Assisting at community events or supporting local nonprofits.

Student Service Learning in FCPS is about more than meeting a graduation requirement; it’s about empowering students to make a difference while gaining valuable skills. Through SSL, FCPS is committed to preparing our students for success in college, careers, and as engaged citizens.

Service Learning Vs. Volunteering: What's the Difference?

  • Educational Focus: Service learning is a teaching method that combines community service with academic learning. Students use skills and knowledge from the classroom to address real-world community needs, making their learning more meaningful.
  • Curriculum-Connected: Service learning is directly tied to what students are learning in school. For example, a science class studying ecosystems might participate in a habitat restoration project, using classroom knowledge in a practical way.
  • Reflective Process: A key part of service learning is reflection. Students analyze their experience, discuss what they learned, and consider how their actions impact others, enhancing their understanding of both the subject matter and community issues.
  • Skill Development: Through service learning, students build specific skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication, all of which prepare them for college and career readiness.
  • Goal: The goal of service learning is to enhance students’ educational experience while benefiting the community, promoting a sense of civic responsibility and encouraging students to become active, informed citizens.

Volunteering

  • Community Service Focus: Volunteering is focused on helping others or supporting a cause without necessarily connecting to a student’s academic curriculum. It’s often an act of kindness and social responsibility rather than a structured learning experience.
  • Not Tied to Curriculum: While students can gain valuable experiences from volunteering, it doesn’t have a direct connection to classroom learning. A student might volunteer at an animal shelter, but it isn’t necessarily tied to what they’re studying in school.
  • No Structured Reflection: Unlike service learning, volunteering doesn’t typically involve a structured reflection process. The emphasis is on contributing time and effort rather than drawing out specific educational insights.
  • Flexible Commitment: Volunteering can vary in time commitment and doesn’t usually require the same level of planning or academic integration as service learning projects.
  • Goal: The primary goal of volunteering is to support and assist the community, not necessarily to deepen academic learning or personal growth in a structured way.

Service learning is a structured, educational approach that links service activities to academic goals and requires reflection, making it a powerful tool for both learning and community impact. Volunteering, while beneficial and rewarding, typically focuses on giving back without a direct academic connection. Both are valuable but serve different purposes in personal and educational development.