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
59%
Students identify as Students of Color
globe
17
Countries represented in our Boarding Program
SSFS News
![PHOTOS: Upper School Dance Performance]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1639750624/sandyspring/jjbqpabbyc5fqamcjxyv/Untitleddesign--12-17T091636300.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1639750624/sandyspring/jjbqpabbyc5fqamcjxyv/Untitleddesign--12-17T091636300.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639750624/sandyspring/jjbqpabbyc5fqamcjxyv/Untitleddesign--12-17T091636300.png","width":600}])
Upper School dancers were happy to be back on the PAC stage, even if they were unable to perform in front of live audiences, as they showcased their original contemporary dance pieces to be shared via video.
![VIDEO: "Let Your Lives Grinch"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1639693980/sandyspring/bfzxr7gbih4juf3ox0io/2_15.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1639693980/sandyspring/bfzxr7gbih4juf3ox0io/2_15.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639693980/sandyspring/bfzxr7gbih4juf3ox0io/2_15.png","width":600}])
SSFS faculty perform a brilliant new rendition of the traditional SSFS faculty-staff skit, "How the Grinch Stole the Holidays," featuring the Learning Specialists from each division.
![PODCAST: SSFS Community Holiday Episode]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1639693935/sandyspring/crsldzvesjgpxiwmzbyj/1_18.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1639693935/sandyspring/crsldzvesjgpxiwmzbyj/1_18.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639693935/sandyspring/crsldzvesjgpxiwmzbyj/1_18.png","width":600}])
Listen to our Lower School students as they perform Joyous Hanukkah (1st grade) and Joy to the World (4th grade). Then hear a collection of students and faculty sharing their family winter traditions.
![PHOTOS: Senior & Lower School Buddy Card Exchange]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1639688455/sandyspring/l9xpyxvv3ohex4im3yjn/Untitleddesign--12-16T160044818.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1639688455/sandyspring/l9xpyxvv3ohex4im3yjn/Untitleddesign--12-16T160044818.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1639688455/sandyspring/l9xpyxvv3ohex4im3yjn/Untitleddesign--12-16T160044818.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639688455/sandyspring/l9xpyxvv3ohex4im3yjn/Untitleddesign--12-16T160044818.png","width":900}])
The Class of 2022 met up with their Lower School buddies for the third time this year (each time socially-distanced, masked, and outside) as they visited with one another and exchanged winter holiday cards.
![PHOTOS: US Coffeehouse]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1638544116/sandyspring/ilr2et9cqmt2coddninx/MMR_5482_sm.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1638544116/sandyspring/ilr2et9cqmt2coddninx/MMR_5482_sm.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1638544116/sandyspring/ilr2et9cqmt2coddninx/MMR_5482_sm.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1638544116/sandyspring/ilr2et9cqmt2coddninx/MMR_5482_sm.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1638544116/sandyspring/ilr2et9cqmt2coddninx/MMR_5482_sm.jpg","width":1440}])
Upper School students and staff gathered outside the PAC for performances that included musical performances, singing, tap dancing, flute playing, and showcasing of digital music re-mixes.
![PHOTOS: LS SHINE Curriculum]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1638547547/sandyspring/cyerputz755cwa8wldku/IMG_5397_sm.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1638547547/sandyspring/cyerputz755cwa8wldku/IMG_5397_sm.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1638547547/sandyspring/cyerputz755cwa8wldku/IMG_5397_sm.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1638547547/sandyspring/cyerputz755cwa8wldku/IMG_5397_sm.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1638547547/sandyspring/cyerputz755cwa8wldku/IMG_5397_sm.jpg","width":1440}])
Lower School (LS) Counselor Joel Gunzburg has been working with students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade on lessons to teach students how to give good, thoughtful, and kind feedback to their peers.
![VIDEO: Thankful for YOU!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1638540396/sandyspring/q8lif3zxwdmcwbkkwphh/thankful-icon.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1638540396/sandyspring/q8lif3zxwdmcwbkkwphh/thankful-icon.png","width":300}]){kind=icon}
We'd like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU and share our gratitude for every person in our SSFS community! We invite you to watch our thankful video to hear what our students are grateful for this year.
![PODCAST: Meet Anna Tsouhlarakis, SSFS Nov. Artist in Residence]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1638477686/sandyspring/gkfvf9jqjznpfixfugqj/GnuStoriesPodcastS2-FBTwitterxpx_2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1638477686/sandyspring/gkfvf9jqjznpfixfugqj/GnuStoriesPodcastS2-FBTwitterxpx_2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1638477686/sandyspring/gkfvf9jqjznpfixfugqj/GnuStoriesPodcastS2-FBTwitterxpx_2.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1638477686/sandyspring/gkfvf9jqjznpfixfugqj/GnuStoriesPodcastS2-FBTwitterxpx_2.png","width":900}])
LISTEN: Anna Tsouhlarakis, an artist of Navajo, Creek, & Greek descent, speaks with HoS Rodney Glasgow, in our latest podcast as well as answers questions from our Middle & Upper School students. Anna joined SSFS as a virtual artist in resident in honor of Indigenous People's Month.
![PHOTOS: 2021 Upper School Play]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1636580530/sandyspring/igohrskcgvtw7cpodioh/A19_sm.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1636580530/sandyspring/igohrskcgvtw7cpodioh/A19_sm.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1636580530/sandyspring/igohrskcgvtw7cpodioh/A19_sm.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1636580530/sandyspring/igohrskcgvtw7cpodioh/A19_sm.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1636580530/sandyspring/igohrskcgvtw7cpodioh/A19_sm.jpg","width":1440}])
Upper School students are excited to be back on the PAC stage for a limited-seating performance of “The Bold, The Young, and the Murdered.” Attendance at the live performance is limited, but everyone can view the recorded performance, streamed via Showshare on Friday, Nov. 19, at 7:00 PM.
Upcoming Events
all day
all day
Various School Buildings
all day
Yarnall 103 - Library
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Virtual
Virtual
all day
all day
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Lower School
all day
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