Sandy Spring Friends Middle School
An inclusive community where students feel supported while taking on big challenges.
Sandy Spring Friends Middle School offers a strong academic program taught by dynamic teachers and emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and a global mindset. In a place of belonging that combines challenging academics with a welcoming space for students to explore, our students are able to fully experience and enjoy their Middle School years.
"It’s important that during their middle school journey, students begin to understand themselves within the context of the school community and grow in self-awareness as global citizens. The values that are central to a Sandy Spring Friends School education are exactly those that middle schoolers should be developing: how to self-advocate, be upstanders, practice mindfulness, empathize, problem-solve, and think critically."
Jesse Hardman
Head of Middle School
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Aimee Fanning
Middle School Administrative Assistant
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Academic Excellence
At SSFS, students experience a progressive, academically-challenging college preparatory program infused with Quaker values. Our curriculum is taught through a five-day rotating block schedule, which provides opportunities for both in-depth discussion and hands-on learning. The low faculty-to-student ratio in our Middle School classes facilitates an interdisciplinary and experiential approach to teaching, resulting in actionable learning.
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Student Empowerment & Support
The development of leadership, self-advocacy, and self-regulation skills are essential parts of our program and are embedded in every area of Middle School life, as we encourage our students to use their voices to be advocates for ideas and principles in healthy and effective ways. Because our students are empowered with a great deal of responsibility, our faculty and staff provide plenty of support to develop the skills needed to manage these responsibilities successfully.
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Quaker Values
Quakerism is conveyed through our weekly Meetings for Worship, in advisory group discussions, and through lessons provided by the student led committees. At the same time, the lessons of Quakerism are infused in every area of the program. Our program recognizes that each student brings a unique set of similarities to and differences from their classmates; it is our task to create a space where they feel comfortable with both.
Learn more about Quaker or "Friends" Education:
More About Sandy Spring Friends Middle School
Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS)—a private, Quaker preschool through 12th-grade school in Montgomery County—is located close to a number of communities including Silver Spring, Olney, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Columbia, and Laurel. You can find this place of belonging conveniently located off the ICC (Exit 13). Our Middle School begins in 6th Grade and continues through 8th Grade.