Sandy Spring Friends School

 

Breadcrumb

Why SSFS?

At Sandy Spring Friends School, our motto is "Let Your Lives Speak." This motto expresses our philosophy of educating all aspects of a person so that their life—in all of its facets—can reveal the unique strengths within.

As a Quaker School, underlying all that we do is a commitment to the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, honesty, respect, peaceful resolution of conflict, and community involvement. Our values-based education, paired with our strong academic program, allows our students to take what they learn and apply it in useful and meaningful ways.

Sandy Spring Friends School is known for our:

Teachers as Mentors

Our teachers develop strong connections with students, allowing for frequent communication and trust-building that cultivates confidence, growth, and a lifelong love of learning.

 

Inquiry-Based Approach

At SSFS, we 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.

 

Experience-Based Learning

We believe that learning is significantly enriched by experience-based projects and programs. They help develop capable, responsible, and globally-aware students who can apply their learning in useful, practical, and meaningful ways.

Community

Our diverse, collaborative, nonhierarchical community is strengthened by all-school and cross-divisional activities, an engaged alumni body,  community service activities, and an emphasis on affirming & empowering the individual and examining all points of view.

At A Glance

teacher

8:1

Student-teacher ratio 

map

24

Experience-based signature trips offered

theater

17

Performing Arts events across all divisions

jersey

33

Interscholastic sports teams in the Middle and Upper School

university

6

Quaker SPICES.
Every aspect of our program is steeped in these guiding values: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship; they are intentionally developed in students to empower them to create positive change in the world.

More About Sandy Spring Friends School

Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS)—a private, independent school in Montgomery County—is located close to a number of communities including Silver Spring, Olney, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Columbia, and Laurel. We are conveniently located off the ICC (Exit 13).

  • Our Lower (Elementary) School begins in Preschool (age 3) and continues to 5th grade.
  • Our Middle School begins in 6th grade and continues until 8th grade. 
  • Our Upper (High) School starts in 9th grade and continues through 12th grade.