A Friends School Education

Absolutely not! Only a small portion of our families and faculty/staff identify as Quaker. We welcome students of all religious backgrounds and beliefs with open arms. Students and alums of all faiths and perspectives consistently share with us that they feel a deep sense of belonging at SSFS and that participating in Quaker practices—like embracing silence during Meeting for Worship—enhances their learning and their lives as a whole.

The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, hold as a core belief that there is “that of God” in everyone. Also called the “light within,” or the “Inner Light,” equal access to divinity for all people inspires SSFS’ deep commitment to IEJB (institutional equity, justice, and belonging), the equality and sense of partnership in learning exemplified between students and adults in the community, and the motivation to work toward all members of the school community working toward their full potential. This belief—along with the understanding that each of us has the ability and responsibility to seek the Truth—is central to Quakerism.

It is an inquisitive faith that encourages self-reflection, open and personal dialogue, inquiry, and peacemaking. Most Quakers consider themselves Christian, but the emphasis, unlike other branches of Christianity, is not on dogma, but on the strength of preparing oneself to hear the Truth and to live a life committed to universally admired values such as simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship (the SPICES). Quakers are sometimes confused with the Amish, with whom they share pacifism, but they are different faiths.

A Sandy Spring Friends School education balances disciplined academic discourse with experiential and outdoor activities. Students’ natural curiosity is encouraged through inquiry-based learning. The School develops self-advocacy skills in students, giving them a voice in their classroom experience and in the administration of the school. With equality comes respect and transparency, fostering students’ confidence in their interactions with teachers—who act as mentors, guides, and co-learners—administrators, and adults in general.  Learning also occurs through service; students take on projects that promote social justice and environmental initiatives. Because of it’s focus on the Quaker SPICES, SSFS students are open to hearing a diverse range of voices and opinions; are willing to have their own ideas critiqued and challenged; are comfortable with both silent reflection and active engagement in the world around them; and are optimistic about their own ability to effect positive change in the world.

SSFS operates under the care of the Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and the Baltimore Yearly Meeting; members of these Quaker Meetings hold a majority of seats on the School's Board of Trustees.

The School’s motto, Let Your Lives Speak, represents the Quaker belief that how we live our lives is the most direct indicator of what we believe. Our teachers strive to identify and cultivate each child’s intellectual, extracurricular, and social strengths—part of the Quaker way of recognizing “the Light within.” It means both having a voice and letting your actions speak louder than words. This approach equips and empowers students to lead exemplary lives—not only among their peers and families today, but also in their personal, educational, and professional communities in college and beyond.

The history, traditions, and principles of Quakerism are taught as part of the Middle and Upper School advisory programs. Lower School students are introduced to Quakerism as part of co-curricular programming, assemblies, and monthly themes that highlight Quaker values. All students participate in Meeting for Worship 1 to 2 times each week, depending on the division. There is no officiant, and there are no sacraments or ceremonies. Students and staff sit in quiet reflection and may be given general themes to focus their thoughts. If they are so moved, they stand and share their thoughts. It is a peaceful and pressure-free break from the academic week—a valued opportunity to pause and reflect on life and larger things.

Quakers have a long history of commitment to equality and have deep roots in the abolitionist movement. In fact, Sandy Spring Friends School sits adjacent to the path of the Underground Railroad, and some of our nation’s first black homeowners owned property in Olney, close to where the campus now stands. Quaker values also led the Class of 2022 to gift the School a plaque to acknowledge the Native American tribes that lived on the land now occupied by the School.