FAQs

In 1961 by S. Brook Moore with the vision to create a school to educate the whole person - body, mind, and spirit.

SSFS enrolls 695 students from Preschool (age 3) to the 12th grade. Our Boarding program hosts 40 students in our 5 day and 7 day program.

Our Lower School has 185 students from Preschool (age 3) to Grade 5. Our Middle School has 182 students in Grades 6-8. Our Upper School, Grades 9-12 with a 5-day & 7-day boarding option, has 330 students.

The average student to faculty ratio is 8 to 1.

The average class size is 16. Many classes are smaller than 16; all are characterized by supportive and trusting relationships between students and teachers.

There are approximately 180 faculty and staff working at SSFS, each one contributing to a positive educational experience for our students.

No, students do not need to be Quaker to attend SSFS. Quaker values or "SPICES"—simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, stewardship/service—are incorporated into the daily academic and social curriculum. (See more on the A Friends School Education page.)

Over a dozen different religions and denominations are represented in the student body. Quakers represent about 7% of our student body.

Each division operates on a similar school day schedule. See below for exact times for each division:

• The Lower School day begins at 8:15 am and ends at 3:20 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The Lower School day on Wednesday starts at 8:15 am and ends at 1:10 pm.
• The Middle School day begins at 7:55 am and ends at 3:45 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The Middle School day on Wednesday starts at 7:55 am and ends at 1:20 pm.
• The Upper School day begins at 7:55 am and ends at 3:45 pm on  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The Upper School day on Wednesday starts at 7:55 am and ends at 1:20 pm.
  

Yes, our buses pick up students (Kindergarten to Grade 12) from Montgomery, Howard, and Prince George's Counties, as well as the District of Columbia. Routes are point-to-point, not house-to-house. Collection points are designed to accommodate as many families as possible. Routes and schedules are adjusted each year according to changes in ridership. (See more on the Transportation and Extended Care page.)

Yes, we offer before and aftercare for our Lower School students, and aftercare for Middle School students. Before school care in the Lower School is from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. Aftercare runs until 6:30 p.m. in both Lower and Middle School. Kids After Hours runs our Lower School aftercare program. Our Middle School Faculty run our Middle School aftercare program. (See more on the Transportation and Extended Care page.)

SSFS is a member of the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC). Our Middle and Upper School teams compete in the following interscholastic sports: soccer, cross country, volleyball, golf, basketball, lacrosse, track and field, ice hockey, rock climbing, swimming, softball, and baseball. Students also have non-competitive fitness options such as athletic conditioning, modern dance, yoga, and weight training. (See more on the Athletics page.)

We will accept applications for all grades.

While it is by no means a guarantee of admission, Sandy Spring Friends School does give special consideration to the applicant groups listed below:

• Children of Members of the Religious Society of Friends
• Children of Sandy Spring Friends alumni/ae
• Children of Sandy Spring Friends employees
• Current students' siblings
• Former students in good academic standing

We encourage families to visit our campus to learn more about the SSFS community. We host regular Open House and Campus Tour events throughout the year. (See more on the Visit SSFS page.)

September 1. Applicants to Preschool (age 3) must be 3 years old by this date; Preschool (age 4) must be 4 years old by this date; Kindergarten applicants must be 5 years old.

In keeping with the Quaker process, all admission decisions are made by committees within the division. Each student application is reviewed with the whole student in mind. Due to the comprehensive nature of the process, all admission decisions are final.

Yes, our Preschool program is a full-day, 10-month program with extended day and summer care options.

We offer need-based financial aid for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The goal is to make a Sandy Spring Friends School education financially accessible to all families. Grants are made solely on the basis of financial need. (See more on the Tuition and Value page.)

Applicants whose files are completed by our January 15, 2024 deadline will receive notification of the Admission Committee’s decision on March 1, 2024. Applicants whose files are not complete by the January 15 deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

The financial aid deadline for current families is November 15, 2023. The financial aid deadline for new families is January 15, 2024. The financial aid application and all supporting documents must be received by this date. (See more on the Financial Aid page.)

Admission and financial aid are two separate processes at Sandy Spring Friends School.  Admission applications are reviewed without regard for a family’s ability to pay. Only in the final phase is the selection process “need aware” as the Admission Committee weighs its decision against available financial funds. It is possible that a student may be admitted and then the family either does not qualify for aid or is not offered an enrollment contract due to lack of available funding.

Tuition varies by division and grade level. Learn more about the cost—and the immeasurable benefits—of a transformative SSFS education.

Yes, additional fees may include bus transportation, books, technology, aftercare, and trips. Learn more about the cost—and the immeasurable benefits—of a transformative SSFS education.
 

39% European American, 20% African American, 7% Asian, 4% Latino, 1% Middle Eastern, 14% Multi Racial, and 14% International, 1% Pacific Islander, (2% Undisclosed).
 

23% of the employees at SSFS identify as faculty and staff of color.

100% of our students apply and are accepted to college.  Some elect to take a gap year.

Absolutely! Every student at SSFS, Preschool-Grade 12, has a personal iPad, Chromebook, or laptop to use during classes and to complete school work.

• Preschool-Grade 1 students use school-supplied iPads;
• Grades 2-8 use school-supplied Chromebooks;
• Grades 9-12 bring their own laptops. 

Learn more on the Technology page.