Information Guide for Parents
The mission of the Young Progressives Initiative is to empower high schoolers to engage in meaningful volunteering opportunities with non-profits and political campaigns aligned with progressive values.
In 1993, Maryland implemented a mandatory requirement for high school students to complete volunteer hours in order to graduate from public schools. Each county integrates this requirement differently, with specific regulations, but the overarching goal is consistent: to engage students in meaningful community service. Our mission is to guide students and parents through these requirements to ensure a smooth path to graduation.
Furthermore, organizations like the National Honor Society (NHS) typically require students to complete around 150 volunteer hours per semester to remain in good standing. Maintaining this level of commitment is crucial for students who aim to stay active in NHS.
In addition to fulfilling graduation and NHS requirements, volunteering plays a significant role in strengthening college applications. As acceptance rates at top universities now hover between just 5-7%, students must distinguish themselves. While excelling academically and participating in extracurricular activities is essential, volunteering offers the added benefit of gaining practical experience in potential career fields. Non-profit organizations often provide opportunities for students to develop valuable skills and network with professionals, which can lead to future job prospects.
As Generation Z enters the workforce, they face unique challenges, including generational discrimination and an increasingly competitive job market. Many entry-level positions now require prior experience, typically gained through internships, which can be difficult to secure. Additionally, the rise of “ghost jobs”—positions that companies post with no intention of filling—further complicates the job search. These postings can give a false sense of opportunity while wasting time and resources. Helping your child gain meaningful volunteer experience early on can provide an edge in both college admissions and future career pursuits. These issues are going to effect everyone so taking initiative today and volunteering can change the trajectory of your child’s life all the while helping others, and this service will be free to use. The job to register for this service is ultimately on your child.
First I will explain the different rules and regulations for Student Service Learning Hours in Maryland
Montgomery County Public Schools
In Montgomery County, students can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours by working with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, participating in political campaigns (by completing an MCPS Form 560-50), and providing service in for-profit nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Additional activities may also qualify if approved by the school’s SSL Coordinator. Students can start accumulating SSL hours beginning on their first day of 6th grade. Awards are given to students who complete the required 75 hours by the first Friday in April before finishing middle school. Additionally, students may only accrue up to 8 SSL hours per day. The same deadline applies to the 240 hours needed to earn the purple tassel award by senior year of high school. If a student transfers and enrolls in Montgomery County Public Schools for the first time after 6th grade, they are not required to complete as many hours as students who remain in the district. The graduation requirements are as follows:
| Entering for the first time in Grade 7: | 65 Hours |
| Entering for the first time in Grade 8: | 55 Hours |
| Entering for the first time in Grade 9: | 45 Hours |
| Entering for the first time in Grade 10: | 35 Hours |
| Entering for the first time in Grade 11: | 20 Hours |
| Entering for the first time in Grade 12: | 10 Hours |
Tips from a former MCPS Student
- Your Child Should NOT Complete their Hours in Middle School
“Why shouldn’t they?” I hear you say in your head. They get recognized for it, and getting that out of the way can reduce the stress around SSL hours for my child. Plus, the teachers are pushing for my child to get it done now so they can aim for the purple tassel. This is true, but consider something else for your child’s long-term aspirations. For your child’s college application, unless they’re doing something revolutionary (sorry to spoil your parade, but there is a 98% chance that they’re not) their middle school volunteering experience will not be a major deciding factor. Instead, securing quality opportunities with highly respected organizations that offer more meaningful experiences can create a network that might still be there when they graduate from college. Think of it this way: if you can do a maximum of 8 hours of volunteering per day and need 75 hours to meet the graduation requirement, that’s about 9 days to complete it. For the 240 hours for the purple tassel, it’s about 30 days. These 9 or 30 days are spread out over 4 years, which is a long time to finish. So, if your child’s goal is simply to meet the requirement and they are considering a field as a potential college major, wouldn’t it be easy to just do 3 days every summer for 4 years? Or 7.5 days per year for 4 years for the purple tassel? This way, they can build a relationship with someone working at the place where they volunteer, and by the time they graduate from college, that person could be working/still working in the field. This can give your child a leg up in the hiring process for after they graduate from college or better yet for internships for their freshman year of college. A workplace/top college wants to see more meaningful contributions that your child’s making at wherever they volunteered, rather than someone handing out fliers in middle school. It may surprise you but this stuff matters. It may seem insignificant in the short term, but networks are the biggest influence on anyone’s net worth. Getting a head start on that process, even if it’s difficult at first, means people will want to make your child’s life easier if they know them earlier.
- Organizations are Relatively Loose About the Hours They Give.
In my experience with earning SSL hours (which was a long time ago, so things may have changed by now) orgs are often quite flexible and generous with the hours they give. I recall doing about 2-3 hours of volunteer work, and they would credit me with 4-6 hours for whatever reason. I would strongly discourage your children from asking for hours they didn’t earn, but if someone gives extra hours without your knowledge, I recommend not saying anything. It saves a lot of mental energy in the long run to just accept it. This mentality should also apply if your child receives slightly fewer hours. Keep in mind that the staff are likely tired and overworked just like the rest of us, and your child may not be their top priority. If this happens multiple times, I wouldn’t confront the organization—just look for another opportunity. YPI aims to make this process for browsing these opportunities easier for your child, so be respectful and maintain a calm attitude. YPI also streamlines the paperwork process, so when we handle it, you might find everything works out just a little smoother than usual. Our focus is on making sure your child’s experience is both positive and efficient. No kid is excited to go do volunteer for a day or an afternoon, so making them our focus helps everyone involved.
- There are lots of Opportunities Provided by Certain Courses and Other Programs Directly Offered by the School and the County. Should my child and I Consider Them, Especially Since they are so Convenient?
I think this is a case-by-case basis. Some programs provided by these schools and the county are actually really nice for your child. The problem is similar to the one I have with kids starting their hours in middle school, but that doesn’t always apply because of the lack of practical field experience. However, the county does provide a lot of good SSL programs in the STEM fields. If that’s something your child is into, definitely explore those, especially as there aren’t many non-profits that cater to those skill sets, and the ones that do often have a lesser need for younger student volunteers. But if your child is more into the social sciences or liberal arts there aren’t as many opportunities provided by the county that can be seen as practical experience by colleges. Another thing that has a similar issue is that you can take certain classes that will give you SSL hours. The limit is about 30 hours that these classes can give you. It’s simply not worth it to take something your child doesn’t want to take just to get rid of 4 days of volunteer work that can change the trajectory of your child’s future career path.
- You Seem to Preach the Importance of Field Experience. For Most Kids They Have no Idea What They Want to do. What Should we do Then?
I think this is the beauty of Student Service Learning. Volunteering as part of different organizations gives a really good picture of the future for your child and what they want it to look like. For example, I knew someone who originally wanted to be a nurse. They did their SSL hours at a hospital and decided to scrap that idea and go into Art Therapy instead as a result of their SSL work. Can I guarantee that your child will know what they want to do after they complete their hours if they don’t already know? No, of course not. These are kids aged 13-18. I wouldn’t want that pressure on them at such a young age. But I feel like it can at least eliminate something they don’t want to do. It stinks that in order to compete with the best of the best they have to have any idea at that age but this is the world we live in and at YPI, We hope to make this a platform where they can try different opportunities, try new things, take risks, and see something that maybe they want to do. If they find out as a result of YPI, that’s great. If not, that’s okay. We just hope to help make a difference in this community.
Prince George’s County Public Schools
In Prince George’s County, students can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours by volunteering with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, political campaigns, for-profit, private, and faith-based organizations/facilities. Additional activities may also qualify if approved by the school’s SSL Coordinator. Students receive infused curriculum hours throughout their time as members of Prince George’s County Public Schools through different courses. These students receive 51 earned hours if they are members of Prince George’s County Public Schools for the entirety of their schooling.
| Grade | Courses | 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 |
There is no way to get out of these hours as they are required courses. Additionally, students still need to complete 24 independent hours, which is where volunteering comes into the equation. Also, students enrolling in PGCPS for the first time have different requirements for their independent hours, as their classroom hours will automatically be completed. The requirements for the amount of independent hours needed to graduate change when you transfer into PGCPS
| Grade First Enrolled | Independent Hours Required |
|---|---|
| 6/7 | 24 |
| 8 | 20 |
| 9 | 20 |
| 10 | 21 |
| 11 | 20 |
| 12 | 10 |
While it’s unfortunate they don’t recognize students who go above and beyond these standards, and I hope this changes in the future, there is one advantage: students can earn unlimited SSL hours per day. Although this loophole should ideally be patched up, take advantage of it while it’s still in place.
| Grade First Enrolled | Independent Hours Required |
|---|---|
| 9 | 40 |
| 10 | 30 |
| 11 (first semester) | 20 |
| 11 (second semester) | 15 |
| 12 (first semester) | 10 |
| 12 (second semester) | 5 |