Application Process: International Students

Please begin the application process by completing an online inquiry form to set up an account in the Admission Portal. Upon submission, you will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to confirm your Admission Portal account and begin your application. 

Submit an Inquiry

International student applicants may apply online through either SAO (Standard Application Online) or the SSFS Admissions Portal.

SAO (Standard Application Online)
Applicants will be able to download forms directly from SAO, upload completed forms, and confirm receipt of online teacher recommendation forms, school requests, and other documents needed.

SSFS Admissions Portal
Please begin the application process by completing an online inquiry form to set up an account in the Admission Portal. Upon submission, you will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to confirm your Admission Portal account and begin your application. Once you have received an email with your login/password and application instructions, you may log in and begin the application process. The online application must be submitted on or before the deadline of January 15, 2023 by 5 PM. 

Academic Records:

Report cards/progress reports/transcripts from the applicant’s current and previous school years are required. All Psychological Education evaluations, IEP/504 and/or standardized testing should also be uploaded to the Admissions Portal. Please use the Record Request Form to authorize your applicant’s current school to send us academic records.

Test Scores:

International students are required to submit one of the following exams as part of the application process. Your score report should be sent directly to Sandy Spring Friends School admissions office at admissions@ssfs.org. We require ONE of the following tests:

• Duolingo English Test: SSFS is a Duolingo English Test partner. You may take the test from anywhere using a computer with a front end camera and microphone. No appointments are needed, and you receive your results within 48 hours.

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): To register, visit their website and register online. Our school code is 7529. We recommend a score of 70 or higher.

• TOEFL Junior (for students who are 11-15 years old): To register, visit their website and register online. Our school code is 7529. We recommend scores on the comprehensive exam of:
  • 250-285 listening
  • 250-275 language form & meaning
  • 245-275 reading

• SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test): Visit their website and register online or call SSAT at (609) 683-4440 to request a Student Registration Guide. Our school code is 7090.

Two teacher recommendations are required from the applicant’s current Math and English teacher. If the applicant has one homeroom teacher who teaches both subjects, please ask that teacher to submit recommendations for each subject separately. Recommendations are requested by the parent/guardian and then submitted through the Admission Portal. All recommendations are confidential and unfortunately cannot be shared with parents, therefore must be submitted by your applicant’s teacher(s).

OPTIONAL: Recommendations from professionals who work closely with the applicant in various extracurricular activities are welcome. These letters of recommendation can be requested or uploaded to the Admission Portal.

Applicants are required to submit the Character Skills Snapshot. The Snapshot is an online assessment that is administered at home and takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.The fee is $60 for non-SSAT testers. Learn more and sign up for the Character Skills Snapshot here.

This is a 20-minute conversation with the applicant and Shamika Murray, Director of Upper School Admissions. This will be conducted virtually and meetings can be scheduled in the Admission Portal.

Please log in to your Admission Portal regularly to ensure that your forms have been received and your application file is complete. Families whose applications are completed by the application deadline (January 15, 2023) will be notified about acceptance on February 24, 2023. Applicants whose files are not complete by the January 15 deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.