Equity, Justice, and Belonging at SSFS

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

Hayes Davis
Director of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging
Upper School English Teacher
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Shannon Needham
Upper School Learning Specialist
Learning Resource Coordinator for OIEJB
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Candice Ashton
Upper School Dean of Student Life
Assistant Director of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging
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Phillip Mallari
Lower School OIEJB Coordinator
Second Grade Teacher
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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

53%

Students identify as Students of Color

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12+

Religious affiliations represented

globe

6

Countries represented in the Boarding Program

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40%

Students receive financial aid

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 (boarding students represent a variety of different countries across the globe).

Our international residential life program provides a unique and rich cross-cultural experience for both the American and international students. Our boarding students enrich the diversity we have on campus both ethnically and culturally—it includes students from across the globe!

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Anti-Discrimination Policy

The School admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and qualified candidates with a disability and accord to them all the rights and privileges, programs, and activities generally offered or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or as a result of a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, staff hiring and other School-administered programs.

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?

Affinity groups bring together people with a shared identifier (e.g., race, gender, religion, family structure, and many others). Within an affinity group, a member can speak to the experiences of being a group member from the “I” perspective. Affinity groups can provide affirmation, emotional comfort, and community and are always led by an adult who shares the identity of students in the affinity group.

What are Alliance Groups?

Student Affinity & Alliance Groups

Open to students and overseen by faculty/staff advisors, Affinity and Alliance Groups are available to students at both the Middle and Upper School levels—last year’s groups are available below for reference—and students will learn about available groups and meeting days/times via email, flyers, and announcements in Advisory.

Upper School

Asian American/Pacific Islander Student Affinity Group
Black Student Affinity Group
Boys Leading Boys Affinity Group
Chinese International Student Affinity Group
Girls Leading Girls Affinity Group
Hispanic/Latinx Student Affinity Group
Jewish Student Affinity Group
LGBTQ+ Student Affinity Group
Multiracial/Multiethnic Student Affinity Group
Muslim Students/Friday Prayers Affinity Group
Neurodiverse Affinity Group
South Asian Student Affinity Group
Spoonies/Physical Disabilities Affinity Group

Middle School

Asian American Pacific Islander Student Affinity Group
Black Students Affinity Group
Gender & Sexuality Alliance
Girls Affinity Group
Hispanic/Latinx Student Affinity Group
Jewish Student Affinity Group
Neurodiverse Student Affinity Group

In the Lower School, we regularly facilitate classroom conversations about identity and are working to provide more opportunities for our students to explore their identities outside of the classroom.

Upper School Affinity Group Schedule

We know that our students don’t just have one identity. They’re Black, white, Asian; they’re LGBTQ; they’re from different economic backgrounds; they have different hobbies and different interests. And they’re all of those things and so many more simultaneously.

Because each person has multiple identities we know it's important for our students not to have to “choose” one identity over another. Therefore, in the Upper School, we provide multiple times during the week for affinity group sessions. During their affinity group meetings, students engage in conversations around the themes of identity, community, and belonging.

INTERSECT: Supporting Our Students Across Difference

INTERSECT provides a forum for SSFS parent/guardian fellowship while exploring topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. The collective idea of many people within the community, INTERSECT makes affinity and ally groups available to all parents/guardians, offering the opportunity to join together in support of our students. If you are ready to meaningfully connect, learn, and share your voice, join an INTERSECT group! Group descriptions, meeting dates, and times are shared in our weekly community newsletters and the Parent Portal.

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.

Lower School

Each grade introduces and honors diversity through comparisons and differences among classmates and families;
Instructional materials, books, and toys are selected to reflect different genders, ethnicities, foods, and geography backgrounds;
Holidays are used as opportunities to celebrate and learn about various cultural traditions;
Music, art, and physical education activities reflect classroom curriculum themes;
Starting in first grade, the social studies program focuses on specific cultures.

Middle School

Advisory group programs include diversity topics throughout the year;
Middle School Diversity Committee meets weekly and organizes ongoing diversity discussions on topics selected by the students;
Students who self-identify as black meet monthly as an affinity group with adult mentors;
Black History Month programs are organized with parent involvement;
Seasonal celebrations of different ethnic groups are organized by students and faculty, and are supported by parent involvement;
The language teachers organize a number of activities around typical Spanish- and French-speaking countries' holidays or observances;
SSFS hosts the Middle School Diversity Leadership Conference run by EastEd. The conference is open to schools throughout the east coast and is attended by over 700 students annually.

Upper School

An Upper School diversity committee comprise of faculty/staff members addresses the ways diverse populations are recognized, included, and celebrated at SSFS;
The 9th grade participates in the National Coalition Building training in the winter;
A two-day NCBI training is conducted for upper grade student leaders before the 9th grade NCBI event;
A group of Upper School students and faculty members attends the national People of Color conference held annually;
Student-initiated clubs such as the Black Student Union (BSU), the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club, and the World Wide Culture Club organize campus activities and events throughout the year;
Diversity assemblies include an annual Martin Luther King observance, an international assembly, and others with varying cultural and international themes;
Cultural competence and multicultural activities occur regularly in the advisory curriculum.

OIEJB - Curriculum - Hispanic Heritage Assembly

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In This Section

Equity, Justice, and Belonging at SSFS

The Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging (OIEJB)

Connect with OIEJB

Our Community

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Affinity & Alliance Groups at SSFS

What are Affinity Groups?

What are Alliance Groups?

Student Affinity & Alliance Groups

Upper School Affinity Group Schedule

Upper School Affinity Group Schedule

INTERSECT: Supporting Our Students Across Difference

Diversity in our Curriculum

Lower School

Middle School

Upper School