Sandy Spring Friends School
SSFS is a progressive, coed, college preparatory Quaker school that equips and empowers students from Preschool (age 3) through 12th Grade to Let Their Lives Speak.
Sandy Spring Friends School
Let Your Lives Speak
Recognizing the unique worth of each person, SSFS teachers cultivate the individual talents of every student and foster caring and effective citizens of the world.
Inquiry-Based and Hands-On Approach to Learning
Our approach to learning challenges students to question, to reflect, and to act on knowledge.
Quaker Values
A values-based education emphasizes universal Quaker values of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship.
Uniquely Sandy Spring
Quaker Values
At Sandy Spring Friends School, we have a profound sense of hope in the individual's ability to create positive change within the world, and we foster the values that create change: simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship. These values are sometimes referred to by their acronym, the Quaker SPICES.
Inquiry-Based Approach
We take an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning, challenging students to strive for academic excellence and to realize their highest potential.
Experiential Learning
We believe that learning is significantly enriched by experience-based projects and programs. They help develop capable, responsible, and globally-aware students who can apply their learning in useful, practical, and meaningful ways.
Teachers as Mentors
Because our teachers see each student as a unique individual, they strive to cultivate each student’s inner Light and talents. The resulting dynamic of frequent communication and trust facilitates confidence and growth, as well as an optimistic outlook, a lifelong love of learning, and the desire to accomplish positive change in the world.
Campus as a Classroom
Our 140-acre campus near urban centers features an old-growth forest and stream, making it a natural environment for study and contemplation and enabling access to a wealth of resources, including six miles of cross-country trails, a pond/swimming hole used seasonally by students and our summer camp, and an aerial adventure park.
Diverse, Caring Community
We believe in a diverse, collaborative, nonhierarchical community, strengthened by all-school and all-division meetings, an active Parents Association, an engaged alumni body, and an emphasis on affirming and empowering the individual and examining all points of view.
At A Glance
coed
map
140+
Pastoral acres in the heart of Montgomery County
teacher
8:1
Student-teacher ratio
diversity
53%
Students identify as Students of Color
globe
6
Countries represented
SSFS News
![SSFS Will Remain Open]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745497057/sandyspring/kpr6xpppvvic6jzivu1d/SSFS-Sign-Hearts-Square.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745497057/sandyspring/kpr6xpppvvic6jzivu1d/SSFS-Sign-Hearts-Square.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1745497057/sandyspring/kpr6xpppvvic6jzivu1d/SSFS-Sign-Hearts-Square.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745497057/sandyspring/kpr6xpppvvic6jzivu1d/SSFS-Sign-Hearts-Square.jpg","width":821}])
The Sandy Spring Friends School Board of Trustees is thrilled to announce that based on substantial and meaningful funding guarantees and support of the Coalition of Friends of the Sandy Spring Friends School, among others, a path forward for the school had been secured. The School will remain open for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028 school year. More work will be needed to ensure the long term financial stability of the school.
![Friends Celebration 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745497462/sandyspring/vhbknxng9lz6hvgsixwl/FriendsCelebrationSquare2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745497462/sandyspring/vhbknxng9lz6hvgsixwl/FriendsCelebrationSquare2.png","width":500}])
We are thrilled to share that the Friends Celebration is officially happening on May 3, 2025—a joyful evening made all the more special as we celebrate the renewed future of Sandy Spring Friends School together.
- 🎟️ Tickets are on sale now—but only until we sell out! Don’t wait to secure your spot. Click here to purchase a ticket.
- 💛 An anonymous donor will match EVERY dollar donated to the Fund Our Scholars campaign. That means whether or not you’re able to attend, your gift can go twice as far in supporting Financial Aid.
- 🛍️ The online auction is open to everyone—friends, family, neighbors—featuring over 150 incredible items and experiences. Anyone can bid and participate, whether near or far! The auction opens Monday, April 28, 2025, and closes at 8:30 PM on May 3, 2025.
![It's Academic Championship Match 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744812545/sandyspring/h9jz7ondcjbceaqbto1s/SSFSItsAcademicChampionshipMatch-Square.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744812545/sandyspring/h9jz7ondcjbceaqbto1s/SSFSItsAcademicChampionshipMatch-Square.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744812545/sandyspring/h9jz7ondcjbceaqbto1s/SSFSItsAcademicChampionshipMatch-Square.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744812545/sandyspring/h9jz7ondcjbceaqbto1s/SSFSItsAcademicChampionshipMatch-Square.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1744812545/sandyspring/h9jz7ondcjbceaqbto1s/SSFSItsAcademicChampionshipMatch-Square.jpg","width":1354}])
The Quiz Bowl Team earned an impressive It’s Academic semifinal-round victory against GDS and BCC on Sat., Apr. 5. From an original field of 81 schools, the team advanced as one of the top three school teams in the Greater Washington DC Metropolitan Area Championship round. On Sun., Apr. 6, they finished their season in 2nd place overall. With an overall record of 32-7-0 across all interscholastic formats of play (including earning the bronze medal in the extremely competitive MABL league), SSFS once again finished fittingly among the top academic programs in the Metropolitan DC area.
![Spring Pep Rally 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744306990/sandyspring/vlfxfrlftr2e1icvggbp/Spring-Pep-Rally-Round.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744306990/sandyspring/vlfxfrlftr2e1icvggbp/Spring-Pep-Rally-Round.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744306990/sandyspring/vlfxfrlftr2e1icvggbp/Spring-Pep-Rally-Round.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1744306990/sandyspring/vlfxfrlftr2e1icvggbp/Spring-Pep-Rally-Round.png","width":946}])
Students, faculty, and staff had a great time cheering on our spring team athletes at the all-school pep rally on Fri., Apr. 4. After team entrances, seniors and 8th Graders from each spring sports team took on faculty and staff in an exciting game of "Quakerball"!
![OIEJB Update: April 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1681500603/sandyspring/iezkeee2h4xdvqtbvf6r/OIEJBMessage-JPG.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1681500603/sandyspring/iezkeee2h4xdvqtbvf6r/OIEJBMessage-JPG.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1681500603/sandyspring/iezkeee2h4xdvqtbvf6r/OIEJBMessage-JPG.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1681500603/sandyspring/iezkeee2h4xdvqtbvf6r/OIEJBMessage-JPG.jpg","width":900}])
Spring is a busy and exciting time for SSFS. In addition to Immersion Week, Intersession, and Spring Break, community members from many faiths and a variety of identities celebrate major holidays, religious observances, and more. Read the April update from the Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging to see information about Women's History Month activities at SSFS and learn more about other traditions and religious holidays celebrated by those in our community.
Upcoming Events
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Yarnall Gym
all day
SSFS Baseball Field
SSFS Baseball Field
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all day
Berman Hebrew Academy
all day
Berman Hebrew Academy
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St. Anselm's Abbey School
SSFS Baseball Field
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