Diversity at SSFS: Equity, Justice, and Belonging
Here at Sandy Spring Friends School, one of the things we’re most known for—and that we intentionally foster—is a sense of belonging for our students, faculty, and staff. We see diversity as a strength that enriches all that we do. We’re a diverse community, but more important than numbers or stats, we actively foster a culture of inclusivity that values multiple perspectives and is supported by transformational dialogue and civic engagement. Our approach is an important part of our Quaker values.
Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Sandy Spring Friends School embraces diversity, equity, justice, and belonging as critical to the fulfillment of our mission. Our Quaker values compel us to practice integrity and to encourage each member of our school to “Let your lives speak.” We encourage an atmosphere of inquiry and reflection into the important and complex issues of human and civil rights. We stand against systemic oppression and discrimination and actively work to eradicate them on our campus and in our world. Our curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular programming reflect this commitment from the experiences of our earliest learners through their time as our alums, to the on-going education and development of our administration, faculty, staff, parents, and trustees. From this foundation, all members of the school community actively foster a culture of inclusivity that values multiple perspectives and is supported by transformational dialogue and civic engagement.
Approved by the Board of Trustees, April 2021
The Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging (OIEJB)
OIEJB is short for the Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging. The OIEJB embodies and enacts Sandy Spring Friends School’s mission to foster a culture of belonging for faculty, staff, students, alums, families, and trustees of all identities. The department seeks to provide education and opportunities for all members of the community to engage in SSFS’s efforts to encourage equity, promote justice, build belonging, empower individuals, and ensure systems within the School promote IEJB.
The Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging has representation across all three divisions (the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools). Led by our Director of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging, the office includes an Assistant Director, coordinators in each division, representation among our learning specialists related to neurodiversity and disability, representation among our international student population, and communication between our office and parents/guardians and alums.
Connect with OIEJB
Terrell Davis
Director of OIEJB
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Shannon Needham
Upper School Learning Specialist
Learning Resource Coordinator for OIEJB
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This school-wide team collaborates to promote institutional equity, justice, and belonging by:
- Providing educational forums and professional development resources related to multiple identities based on best practices and community feedback.
- Challenging members of our community to engage and advocate for themselves and others in moments when civil and human rights are at risk on our campus and in the world.
- Actively seeking out and celebrating the unique contributions of each individual and by providing mediation that both gives grace for human error and helps individuals understand the impact of their actions.
- Empowering individuals within the community to “Let their Lives Speak.”
- Ensuring systems are designed in the best interests of the entire community.
- Visit the OIEJB ed page for more information and resources related to heritage months, holidays, celebrations, and other programming.
At A Glance
diversity
47%
Students identify as Students of Color
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12+
Religious affiliations represented
globe
11
Countries represented
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40%
Students receive financial aid
Our Community Speaks: Equity, Justice, and Belonging
"I love that this place is really welcoming. No matter your race, your gender, or your personality, everyone is just super nice."
"The wide range of diversity at SSFS and a culture that encourages the kids to look past labels to really see their peers is amazing."
"DEI is not just language at SSFS. We don’t always get it right, but we want to, and we keep trying to. At SSFS, my kids are immersed in a culture that is committed to celebrating Diversity, ensuring Equity, and normalizing Inclusion, so that every person experiences real Belonging."
"Attending Sandy Spring Friends helped expose me to a diversity of people and life experiences. Differences in race, ethnicity, language, culture, perspective, and thought process were seen and valued. Interactions with so many different people helped the move to Miami [University] feel a lot less stressful."
"In our local school, we were just about the only Jewish family. At SSFS, it’s great to have the Jewish Affinity group along with many other affinity groups. There are different ways to be Jewish in the world, and Sandy Spring Friends honors that."
"We wanted to ensure our children are in an environment where they see and embrace diversity—and not just diversity by numbers, but intentional diversity where they learn to relate to people who don’t look and think like them. SSFS does this so well—the School cultivates connection and community between people so that the students see the humanity of people who aren’t like them."
"SSFS's deep commitment to social justice and belonging is essential at this tumultuous time in our world. We need each other and a school that teaches students these values, now more than ever."
"SSFS’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion is in part what brought me to the school for my daughter in the first place. It’s something that I didn’t see in many of the other private schools we visited."
"At SSFS, I learned empathy in a way that felt lived rather than taught. The community was deeply tolerant and accepting, and it encouraged each of us to show up as our full, unapologetic selves. When you witness that kind of authenticity around you, it gives you permission to do the same—and that ripple effect creates a culture where people feel seen and valued. The friendships and connections I formed there are unlike anything I could have imagined, and they continue to shape who I am today."
Our Community
Sandy Spring Friends School is a community of learners, guided by the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. We use our Quaker heritage and our community’s diversity to build community and connection.
Our community is enriched by racial and ethnic diversity. Our student body is made up of 39% European American, 25% African American, 7% Asian, 3% Latinx/Hispanic, 17% Multiracial, 1% Middle Eastern, 5% Undisclosed, and 3% International.
Affinity & Alliance Groups at SSFS
Here at SSFS, creating a place of belonging involves each student feeling comfortable being themselves. So, we intentionally create opportunities for connection and empower community members to learn about themselves and others.
- What are Affinity Groups?
- What are Alliance Groups?
- Student Affinity & Alliance Groups
- Upper School Affinity Group Schedule
- INTERSECT: Supporting Our Students Across Difference
What are Affinity Groups?
What are Alliance Groups?
Student Affinity & Alliance Groups
Upper School Affinity Group Schedule
INTERSECT: Supporting Our Students Across Difference
Diversity in our Curriculum
Our faculty integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion topics into our curriculum to help expand our student's understanding of the world and themselves. Diversity is a strength that enriches all that we do.
