In 1958, Brook Moore brought his concern for the creation of a new school in Sandy Spring to the Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers). Some in the Meeting expressed a bit of interest; others suggested that launching into a project at that time was impossible. However, Brook received a $100 check from Muriel Easton in the next day's mail, and he soon interested several other Friends in forming themselves into a committee to pursue this idea.

A short time later, Esther Scott gave the first of several acres of her family farm for the purpose of developing a school and Friends Center.

In June 1959 the Friends Center of Baltimore Yearly Meeting was incorporated. The Center had a provision for a governing board legally responsible for administration of the new venture, a school seeking to educate the whole person - body, mind, and spirit.

Sandy Spring Friends School opened in September 1961 with 77 students in grades 10 and 11, nine faculty, four support staff, and three buildings. In 1973 a ninth grade program was added. It was housed in the Community House next to the Sandy Spring Meeting House on Meeting House Road. Seven years later, the School expanded further with the addition of a middle school program.

In 1983, the historic Ashton Meeting House was moved overland from its site on Route 108 in Ashton to the campus. Since then, each division of the School has held Meeting for Worship on a regularly scheduled basis in the Meeting House. It is a visible reminder of the living Quaker heritage of the School.

In 1987, ground was broken for the library-gymnasium building. This was the first new building in 10 years. The Science Center, located under the Library, was added to the building in 1995.

The ninth grade Community House program was brought on campus in 1990. The merger of Sandy Spring Friends School and Friends Elementary School took place in 1993, enabling the School to serve a population of students from grades pre-K through 12.

The 2005/2006 school year began with the opening of the new Middle School and an enlarged dining room. Shortly thereafter, the renovations and expansion of the Lower School were completed. In February, the new Athletic Center was opened, and in May, the new Performing Arts Center was completed.

Brook Moore and his wife Mary Lillian (pictured above) continued to work together to build the School in size, content and character for more than 40 years. Brook was present for the groundbreakings and dedications of the three most recent and significant additions to the 140-acre campus: the new Middle School, Athletic Complex, and Performing Arts Center. He passed away July 1, 2006. Mary Lil passed away November 15, 2005 after a long illness.