Sandy Spring Friends School
SSFS is a progressive, coed, college preparatory Quaker school serving students from Preschool (age 3) through 12th Grade, with optional 5- and 7-day boarding programs in the Upper School.
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.
The Future is Bright at SSFS
SSFS is “Lighting the Way” for the future with the opening of our new, environmentally-sustainable Upper School building.
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
685
Students in Preschool-12th Grade
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
14
Countries represented
SSFS News
![Baseball Banner 2023]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1684242350/sandyspring/cpwtiskftkuvc8lhlfx0/baseball-banner-sqaure.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1684242350/sandyspring/cpwtiskftkuvc8lhlfx0/baseball-banner-sqaure.jpg","width":369}])
Spring sports are wrapping up, and SSFS already has many new banners to hang on the walls! In addition to the MS track and field championship banners, the US softball and baseball teams also brought home banners. Read the Washington Post article about the Baseball team's win...
![SSFS Quiz Bowl Team Earns Bronze Medal on It's Academic]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1684179518/sandyspring/ow8ee15wfdr5l62dcjbk/US-Quiz-Bowl-Square.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1684179518/sandyspring/ow8ee15wfdr5l62dcjbk/US-Quiz-Bowl-Square.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1684179518/sandyspring/ow8ee15wfdr5l62dcjbk/US-Quiz-Bowl-Square.jpg","width":529}])
Congratulations to the SSFS Quiz Bowl team, who not only advanced to the championship round in the highly-competitive MABL league, but also finished in the top three among 81 schools from the DC-MD-VA area in the It's Academic championship match! See their quarterfinal match....
![SSFS Weavers Compete in Sheep & Wool Competition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1684179518/sandyspring/brpzbakffajw93ffl3ie/Weaving-Competition-square.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1684179518/sandyspring/brpzbakffajw93ffl3ie/Weaving-Competition-square.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1684179518/sandyspring/brpzbakffajw93ffl3ie/Weaving-Competition-square.jpg","width":600}])
SSFS weaving/fiber art students participated in the skein and garment competition at the 50th annual Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. A mighty team of four fiber enthusiasts (the "Quaker Bakers") competed in the Sheep-To-Shawl competition and were featured in an NPR story about the event!
![Luke Amberman '25 Selected as "Call for Kindness" Fellow]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1684179518/sandyspring/zm3ncptyyrfgvnsqsxaq/C4K2023-square.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1684179518/sandyspring/zm3ncptyyrfgvnsqsxaq/C4K2023-square.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1684179518/sandyspring/zm3ncptyyrfgvnsqsxaq/C4K2023-square.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1684179518/sandyspring/zm3ncptyyrfgvnsqsxaq/C4K2023-square.png","width":1080}])
Congratulations to SSFS student Luke Amberman '25, who was selected as a "Call for Kindness" fellow with his "Justice Garden" proposal and initiative. As shared on the Riley's Way Foundation website, "Call For Kindness (C4K) gives young leaders (ages 13-22) across the country the skills, connections, and funding they need to run social impact projects that inspire kindness and strengthen their local, national, or global communities."
![Teacher Appreciation Week]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1683320526/sandyspring/nhw5ymcuy5lrobdv15br/Teacher-Appreciation-Week-Sign.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1683320526/sandyspring/nhw5ymcuy5lrobdv15br/Teacher-Appreciation-Week-Sign.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1683320526/sandyspring/nhw5ymcuy5lrobdv15br/Teacher-Appreciation-Week-Sign.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1683320526/sandyspring/nhw5ymcuy5lrobdv15br/Teacher-Appreciation-Week-Sign.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1683320526/sandyspring/nhw5ymcuy5lrobdv15br/Teacher-Appreciation-Week-Sign.jpg","width":1440}])
![Women in Leadership at SSFS | Rasha El-Haggan]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1678122592/sandyspring/kijur9laef5myl7g59is/WomeninLeadership.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1678122592/sandyspring/kijur9laef5myl7g59is/WomeninLeadership.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1678122592/sandyspring/kijur9laef5myl7g59is/WomeninLeadership.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1678122592/sandyspring/kijur9laef5myl7g59is/WomeninLeadership.png","width":900}])
Recently, we had the chance to sit down with three of the many impressive female administrators at SSFS, each of them currently engaged in a leadership training and empowerment program tailored specifically to women.
We hope you enjoy reading the highlights of Rasha’s story, and stay tuned for two additional stories coming soon.
![Agog Over Og: Creating Picture Books with Johnny Williams and the Illustrious Illustrators]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1678118349/sandyspring/zl5jdwdfweai8jhuceom/og.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1678118349/sandyspring/zl5jdwdfweai8jhuceom/og.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1678118349/sandyspring/zl5jdwdfweai8jhuceom/og.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1678118349/sandyspring/zl5jdwdfweai8jhuceom/og.png","width":845}])
In his third year of teaching Third Grade at SSFS, Johnny Williams, recently collaborated with an engaged group of student illustrators to publish the delightfully whimsical tale, Og. Read the full article.
![PHOTOS: MLK, Jr. Day of Service 2023]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673981725/sandyspring/gpws3spfb2aug3miqczs/MMR_1780_sm.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673981725/sandyspring/gpws3spfb2aug3miqczs/MMR_1780_sm.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1673981725/sandyspring/gpws3spfb2aug3miqczs/MMR_1780_sm.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1673981725/sandyspring/gpws3spfb2aug3miqczs/MMR_1780_sm.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673981725/sandyspring/gpws3spfb2aug3miqczs/MMR_1780_sm.jpg","width":1440}])
The SSFS 2023 MLK Jr. of Service was a resounding success! Over 100 community members attended, building community while giving back through several service activities.
![PHOTOS: LS Parent Classroom Visit]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673991743/sandyspring/ur6bojkkx5qwdqxmtskw/MMR_1012_sm.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673991743/sandyspring/ur6bojkkx5qwdqxmtskw/MMR_1012_sm.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1673991743/sandyspring/ur6bojkkx5qwdqxmtskw/MMR_1012_sm.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1673991743/sandyspring/ur6bojkkx5qwdqxmtskw/MMR_1012_sm.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673991743/sandyspring/ur6bojkkx5qwdqxmtskw/MMR_1012_sm.jpg","width":1440}])
Lower School parents and guardians had the opportunity to participate in their students' morning classes and see their students' classwork during the Jan. 12 LS Classroom Visits.
Upcoming Events
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Hybrid - In-Person (Yarnall) and Virtual; RSVP by Sep. 15
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SSFS Quad (Rain location: US Atrium)
Washington International School
Washington International School
Softball Field
Softball Field
Preuss Field
Preuss Field
AC 106 - New Gym
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