Sandy Spring Friends School Enters Direct Admissions Pathway Partnership with Earlham College

Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS) is pleased to announce a direct admissions pathway partnership with Earlham College, a private, liberal arts Quaker college located in Richmond, Indiana. SSFS is part of a consortium of Friends Schools in the United States who are participating in the partnership, which is “designed to connect academically talented students educated in the Quaker tradition with a U.S. News & World Report Top 100 national liberal arts college.”

As shared in a press release from Earlham, “The partnerships provide students with high academic achievement a more accessible path from Friends schools to Earlham, including direct admission for students who meet established academic criteria, and significant merit scholarships for eligible students. Each partnership also includes personalized admissions advising from Earlham, either on site or virtually, to help students and their families navigate the college search and enrollment process.”

"This partnership with Earlham is exciting for the entire SSFS community," says Director of SSFS College Counseling Chris Miller. "In addition to giving our students the chance to continue their education at one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country, our families will also have access to experts who can deepen their understanding of the college admission and financial aid process any time they need. It is a win for everyone!"

Under the agreement, Sandy Spring Friends School students who have earned a GPA of 3.0 or better with no final grades below C- through the end of the junior year and are in good academic and social standing with SSFS will receive direct admission to Earlham College, beginning with the Class of 2027. Earlham College will also award merit scholarships to SSFS students ranging from $30,000 per year to $40,000 per year, and SSFS students and families will be able to take advantage of expert advice from the Earlham admissions and financial aid staff as needed.

“Quaker values are at the heart of a Sandy Spring Friends School education,” shares Acting Head of School and Upper School Head Meredith Shankle. “It is especially meaningful to see our students continue their journeys at a college whose mission and values resonate so deeply with our own. Its commitment to experiential learning, academic excellence, and helping students discover their purpose makes it a wonderful next step for our graduates.” 

About Earlham College 

Earlham College and Earlham School of Religion foster a collaborative learning community that inspires and motivates students with opportunities and experiences so they can become catalysts for good in a changing world. Located in Richmond, Indiana, Earlham is one of U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 national liberal arts colleges and offers one of the top 20 classroom experiences in the nation, according to the Princeton Review. 

About Sandy Spring Friends School

Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS) is a progressive, college-preparatory Quaker private school in Montgomery County, Maryland, serving students from Preschool (age three) through 12th Grade. SSFS offers an educational experience rooted in Quaker values like simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship that nurture both academic excellence and personal growth. On our 140-acre campus, students learn through hands-on exploration, meaningful relationships, and a deep connection to the world around them. Small classes and dedicated teachers foster curiosity, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging, empowering students to discover their unique strengths while honoring the worth of every individual.