Q: How does our ethnic diversity compare to other independent schools in the Washington metropolitan area?
A: The following comparisons are based on the 2006-07 Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW) statistics:

Ethnic Diversity as a Percentage of Total Enrollment
AISGW - 26% *
SSFS - 34% **

* The wealth listed for AISGW represents the member schools in Maryland. The percentage does not include those for the AISGW schools in Virginia or Washington, DC.

** The wealth and depth of those enrolled in our International Student Program (ISP) constitute nearly 6% of the ethnic diversity at SSFS.

Q: How do we balance economic diversity at SSFS?
A: SSFS allocates 13% of our operating budget to providing some form of financial assistance to enroll students. 21% of our students for the 2006-07 school year receive need-based financial aid. 32% of our students receive financial assistance, which includes both families who receive financial aid and faculty who receive tuition remission.

Q: What does the International Student Program (ISP) add to the SSFS community?
A: The International Student Program provides a unique and rich cross-cultural experience for both the American and International Students. The ISP enriches the diversity we have on campus both ethnically and culturally.

Q: Does Sandy Spring Friends School have an anti-discrimination policy?
A: Yes. This is the anti-discrimination policy used in our literature:
"Sandy Spring Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or a person’s status as a qualified candidate with a disability in the administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring and other school-administered programs."

Q: What reason(s) might there be as to why more Hispanic students don't currently enroll at SSFS?
A: Many Hispanic families who consider private education for their children are devout Christians and therefore lean toward a Catholic education. Also, in many Hispanic countries schools traditionally are very regimented, often requiring uniforms. The absence of these characteristics might generate a potential misconception about what it means for a school to be a Quaker institution. In some cases, therefore, Hispanic families may simply be uninformed as to the similar values we impart on our students via a character-based education at SSFS.