Ninth Grade Program
Sandy Spring Friends School offers a rich transitional experience for ninth grade students linking the middle school years with the more intensive demands of the upper school program.
At Sandy Spring Friends School, we help students to successfully transition from middle school to upper school, by offering a ninth grade program that is sensitive to the particular intellectual, social and emotional needs of 13 to 14-year olds as they enter late adolescence.
9th Grade Program Location
Most of the ninth grade classrooms are located in Hartshorne (see school map). This central location allows the students to maintain closer contact with their teachers, their peers, and their books and supplies. Other classes are held in the Upper School building.
Academics
The academic program allows for integration across the four basic subject areas of English, history, science, and mathematics.
Experiential Components
As an experience-based progressive school, our ninth grade program offers a number of experiential components
Ninth Grade Camping Trip
To help build community, and prepare students for the school year, our ninth graders participate in a camping trip. This required four-day trip occurs in late August and includes hiking, canoeing and whole group activities at Catoctin Quaker Camp. There is no additional fee for this trip.
SSFS 9th Grade Team
Three enthusiastic and experienced teachers lead this program. Other teachers work closely with this group. Ninth Grade Program team member names and roles are listed below.
Mao-Tong Wang
Ninth Grade Dean
US Faculty—History
Courtney Ring
9th Grade Co-Coordinator
US Faculty—English
