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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Our Community Speaks: The Middle School Experience
"My daughter arrived as a nervous 6th grader and has turned into a confident force to be reckoned with. She loves her school, her friends, and her teachers. Because of SSFS, she’s pushed herself outside of her comfort zone in ways we never could have dreamed. We love this school."
"The community is really kind and strong. It keeps me happy and active—it makes me want to do more!"
"SSFS is really good about educating parents. They show they understand middle schoolers and give parents tools and strategies to better support kids in this stage—from social awkwardness to executive functioning to trying on different identities to friend drama."
"Our son started in 6th grade and has been nurtured as an individual and thrived academically better than he has anywhere else. This is the right place for him, with teachers committed to reaching him in the way that he learns and a community that sees people for who they are and who they can become."
"Our son’s first year at SSFS was also the first year he has been truly happy in his entire academic career. He is loved, enriched, respected, and challenged intellectually. We are so happy at SSFS and so grateful for this community."
"Middle School was amazing for us—not many people can say that! Our son got so many opportunities that he wouldn’t have at public school—he started an engineering club that got funding through grants, and teachers supported and empowered him with his passion for STEM. He was a very shy kid, but the leadership opportunities at SSFS made him more confident. Now he’s at Carnegie Mellon pursuing his passion."
"During the first week of 6th grade, our daughter was taught how to write a polished, professional email, complete with a signature. She walks outside to lunch, to art, to PE, and her pockets always have weird nature bits in them when they hit the laundry. She calmly advocates for herself at home using all the good words—stuff I didn’t learn to do until my 30s. She is friends with some really awesome kids. When I leave her each morning, I know she will be seen, known, and cared for."
"SSFS is the best place for our kids to learn to be good humans. They can’t do it by themselves, of course, and we’re so grateful for the dedicated teachers and staff who make their experiences so magical both on and off campus."
"I’ve been here since Pre-K4, so I know you can be who you want to be at this school—you’re part of the community no matter what."
"We help foster our students’ natural curiosity and inquisitiveness by allowing a great deal of student choice and flexibility. Whether it's by allowing students to present learned information in whatever way feels best for them or encouraging them to try an Immersion Week workshop, an elective, or a sport that is new to them, we urge students to be curious and investigate the School and world around them."
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.
Learn more about our education model:
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.
Learn more about our leadership opportunities:
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.