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
![MS Basketball PVAC Champs 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741100945/sandyspring/i8quttpolyxhwoy8y7yt/MSBasketballPVACChamps.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741100945/sandyspring/i8quttpolyxhwoy8y7yt/MSBasketballPVACChamps.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741100945/sandyspring/i8quttpolyxhwoy8y7yt/MSBasketballPVACChamps.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741100945/sandyspring/i8quttpolyxhwoy8y7yt/MSBasketballPVACChamps.jpg","width":900}])
Congratulations to our Middle and Upper School winter team athletes and coaches on a successful winter sports season! From basketball to climbing, swimming to ice hockey, the 'Beests played hard, had fun, and showed SSFS's signature 'Beestly team spirit!
![Quiz Bowl MABL Champs 2025 - Bronze Medal]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741642665/sandyspring/k8qvlmhlojprkjnwekiw/QuizBowlMABLChampsBronzeMedal2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741642665/sandyspring/k8qvlmhlojprkjnwekiw/QuizBowlMABLChampsBronzeMedal2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741642665/sandyspring/k8qvlmhlojprkjnwekiw/QuizBowlMABLChampsBronzeMedal2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741642665/sandyspring/k8qvlmhlojprkjnwekiw/QuizBowlMABLChampsBronzeMedal2.jpg","width":900}])
Finishing 22-3-1 in the MABL, including victories in the Championship Round over Whitman, Wootton, and Rockville high schools, SSFS capped off another remarkable academic competition conference season. Next up, and sporting an impressive overall record of 29-6-0, our 'Beestly Quizards are headed back to WETA's television studios in Arlington, VA to compete in the It’s Academic semifinals on Sat., Apr. 5.
![Speech Team Trophy 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741294350/sandyspring/rcetsov1wff966xpqdv3/SpeechTeamTrophy.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741294350/sandyspring/rcetsov1wff966xpqdv3/SpeechTeamTrophy.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741294350/sandyspring/rcetsov1wff966xpqdv3/SpeechTeamTrophy.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741294350/sandyspring/rcetsov1wff966xpqdv3/SpeechTeamTrophy.jpg","width":900}])
The SSFS Speech Team participated in the 85-school WACFL Speech League Metropolitan Championship (MetroFinal) on Sat., Mar. 1. After only the 4th year of competing, our team ended the 2024-25 season and MetroFinal as Co-Champions (SSFS and Our Lady of Good Counsel tied with 192 points)! SSFS students qualified for Nationals in six events, with seven other students selected as alternates. Huge congratulations go to the participants and coaches!
![Upper School Student Summit Presentation]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741276942/sandyspring/mpiz5enl6wse4efsemxk/USGDSSummit.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741276942/sandyspring/mpiz5enl6wse4efsemxk/USGDSSummit.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741276942/sandyspring/mpiz5enl6wse4efsemxk/USGDSSummit.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741276942/sandyspring/mpiz5enl6wse4efsemxk/USGDSSummit.jpg","width":900}])
Ten Upper School students participated in the annual GDS Student Summit on Sexual Assault & Consent, where high school students from the DMV region and beyond gather to raise awareness and promote change on a national level, helping to eradicate sexual assault and promote a culture of consent-based interaction. Recently, these students led peer-to-peer presentations to help educate and empower their classmates.
![MS Experiential Learning]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741383384/sandyspring/gn8zsullvq81t1pli0fy/MS-FieldTrip.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741383384/sandyspring/gn8zsullvq81t1pli0fy/MS-FieldTrip.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741383384/sandyspring/gn8zsullvq81t1pli0fy/MS-FieldTrip.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741383384/sandyspring/gn8zsullvq81t1pli0fy/MS-FieldTrip.jpg","width":900}])
While Upper School Intersession Week has been a part of SSFS's curricular programming since the School's early days, Middle School Immersion Week is a more recent addition, beginning in 2015-2016. Similar to the Upper School's Intersession (and occurring during the same time period—next week), Immersion Week offers dedicated time for experiential and immersive learning. Students rotate between three workshops, selected based on their interests. It's a great opportunity for them to interact with new students/teachers, learn more about various topics of interest, and have fun!
![OIEJB Update: Women's History Month 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}])
Welcome to Women’s History Month! This year’s theme, according to The National Women’s History Alliance, celebrates “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” At SSFS, we will celebrate with a variety of engagements for students intended to spark learning and discussion. Please join the School and the National Women's History Alliance this month in celebrating “the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations—both past and present.”
![Friends Celebration 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739207818/sandyspring/w0k7bw65pt3vhkuh8tmo/SBPMemorialPerformance2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739207818/sandyspring/w0k7bw65pt3vhkuh8tmo/SBPMemorialPerformance2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739207818/sandyspring/w0k7bw65pt3vhkuh8tmo/SBPMemorialPerformance2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739207818/sandyspring/w0k7bw65pt3vhkuh8tmo/SBPMemorialPerformance2.jpg","width":1080}])
- SBP Memorial Concert featuring District Strings - Apr. 19 at 5:00 PM at the Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting House - RSVP!
- PA Friends Celebration - May 3 at 7:00 PM at Ten Oaks Ballroom; Donate an auction item, become a sponsor, and attend the event - Get Tickets!
![Spotlight on Sean Hamer]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739203398/sandyspring/pshqwm8iryydwhdcehih/SpotlightonSeanHamer.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739203398/sandyspring/pshqwm8iryydwhdcehih/SpotlightonSeanHamer.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739203398/sandyspring/pshqwm8iryydwhdcehih/SpotlightonSeanHamer.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739203398/sandyspring/pshqwm8iryydwhdcehih/SpotlightonSeanHamer.png","width":900}])
We recently sat down with Sean Hamer to find out what drew him to education (and away from an engineering career), what off-campus hobbies he enjoys pursuing, and what he’s most looking forward to as he relocates from West Coast to East this summer to join the SSFS community.
![Experiential Learning - Preschool]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739137643/sandyspring/o2n8v3knvxatqm8crme3/ExperientialLearning.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739137643/sandyspring/o2n8v3knvxatqm8crme3/ExperientialLearning.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739137643/sandyspring/o2n8v3knvxatqm8crme3/ExperientialLearning.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739137643/sandyspring/o2n8v3knvxatqm8crme3/ExperientialLearning.jpg","width":900}])
See some of the many instances of curious, engaged students participating in hands-on learning activities around every corner and in every division, from the Preschool classroom's "Valentine's Science" experiments, to the Upper School's AP Environment Science class's "Value of a tree" project.
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