Sandy Spring Friends School’s mission—its reason for being—is to graduate students who will “Let Their Lives Speak” in the world. For nearly sixty years, SSFS has remained true to its purpose. And today, there is a little bit of our school—shaped by the advocates, educators, investors, thinkers, artists, dreamers, consensus builders, and leaders educated here—in nearly every corner of the globe.

Now, SSFS stands at a crossroads. Our student body—77 at the School’s founding, over 600 today—has increased enormously. We are in the best possible position to ask the most important question of all: What next? What must Sandy Spring Friends School do today to launch another six decades years of alumni into the world ready, eager, and excited to make a difference? What can we do now to ensure that our school will remain a place of continuing revelation, enthusiastic curiosity, and shared silence far into the future?

Some things we know we need. A new Upper School that honors the spirit of Moore Hall while serving as a flexible, welcoming space for the generations of students and teachers to come. A strong endowment, which will continue to fund our school—and keep it safe from the vagaries of tuition dependence—in perpetuity. A deep and abiding culture of philanthropy that honors the many ways in which we all support this community and encourages the shared experience of making philanthropic gifts.

The Light the Way Campaign addresses those needs. Its aim is to raise the funds that will set SSFS on the strongest possible foundation; to that end, the primary goal of Light the Way is to make possible the construction of a new Upper School building. In addition to this vital tangible result, Light the Way will help us strengthen our endowment through planned giving and reinforce a culture of philanthropy that celebrates the central nature of stewardship—of our students, our school, and our community—to SSFS’s Quaker mission.

We all have a role to play in making Light the Way a success. SSFS needs our leadership, talents, and enthusiasm—and our financial investment, too. For Sandy Spring Friends School to be the very best version of itself, we must model in our community the leadership and dedication we expect our alumni to display in the world.

My wife Tina—SSFS Class of 1980—and I are committed to Light the Way. Please join us. Together, we can ensure that Sandy Spring Friends School will continue to challenge, inspire, and encourage future students, teachers, and friends for many, many years to come.

Tom Gibian
Head of School