Why SSFS?

"Our kids are thriving at SSFS like never before. The faculty and staff have done a tremendous job supporting our two children as students and well-rounded individuals."

“Someone at my recent choir audition [at Northwestern University] said to me, 'You carry yourself so comfortably. Where did you learn to communicate with adults like that?' I answered: 'SSFS.'”

"As a former teacher and independent school administrator, I recognize a world-class program and ethos when I see one. Despite recent challenges, we are fully committed to the school and confident it will have a profound and positive impact on our daughters' lives."

"At SSFS, students learn how to think, engage in civil discourse, and solve problems independently. They learn to speak with teachers with respect and maturity. They learn how to learn. They learn who they are, where they want to go, and how to get there. " 

“As an early childhood educator, I know that the elementary years are incredibly formative. Certain skills and habits are easier to establish when you’re younger. In the Lower School at SSFS, they intentionally teach kindness and stewardship of people and the environment. You want to make sure you get it right in the early years—here at SSFS, they get it so right.”

"The most important skill I learned at Sandy Spring Friends is something most people either never learn or are encouraged to learn only when they become overwhelmed in their working life: time management. At SSFS, I gained an understanding of how to organize not only my schoolwork but my day-to-day life.  I still employ these techniques today."

"My experience at SSFS was truly transformative. The academic rigor pushed me intellectually, and the environment encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and independence. By the time I graduated, I felt more than prepared for college—not just academically, but as a self-advocate and someone confident navigating new spaces. SSFS gave me the tools, mindset, and heart that continue to guide me well beyond graduation."