Sandy Spring Friends School

 

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Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry-Based and Hands-On Education
Upper School Intersession Trips
Student Learning Support
College Counseling
Graduation
Inquiry based education through Question-Reflection-Action model

Question-Reflection-Action

QRA—our student-centered approach—encourages students to  question  concepts and ideas,  reflect  upon inquiry and experience, and put learning into  action. 

Sandy Spring Friends School is an exceptional school seeking to prepare students for life and further education. At SSFS, knowing why we learn, and how we learn, are just as important as what we learn. Our educational program is grounded in a deep respect for individual students and intellectual rigor. The School's teachers help students internalize a process we call "QRA"—Question, Reflection, Action—which ensures that they think critically, integrate new knowledge, and apply what they learn. We help students develop their individual sense of purpose as they become caring citizens of the world.

Reflection: Academics at SSFS

Read more about SSFS' educational philosophy by reading David's posts on the 7 characteristics.

Seven Characteristics of a SSFS Progressive Education

Barbie Bungee: Will She Survive?

Each year, our Algebra I students put their math and engineering skills to the test to create an exclusive bungee jumping company that has one VIP client—a Barbie. 

A Journey On The Math Trail

In the fall, 5th graders were asked to engage in a Math Trail around campus. By taking 5th graders outside—taking them away from pencils and workbooks—our teachers helped students see math as it applies to everyday life and gain a new appreciation for it.

Graph From 7th Grade Experiment

After reading research about the benefits of taking notes by hand, our seventh-grade science students decided to challenge the research and conduct an experiment in their classroom to support or refute these conclusions. 

Upper School Intro To Engineering Students test out their Trebuchets

Introduction To Engineering students explored mechanisms that convert gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy by designing and building trebuchets to launch tennis balls within a range of 20 meters. Read about their process

Lower School Cardboard Challenge: Design Meets Engineering!

Did you ever find an empty box and imagine what else it could be? In Lower School, we have explored this idea as an expression of our understanding of the engineering design process (ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve) in conjunction with introduced science concepts.