Sandy Spring Friends School

From the moment I set foot on the SSFS campus for a tour, I knew this was the school for our child. The "vibe" was like nothing I had experienced on any other school tour. The campus is stunning and allows the students to play and relax in nature daily. The teachers and staff are second to none - caring, supportive, communicative, and invested in the students' academic and socioemotional well-being. The academic program is rigorous, but supports the children as whole people, with their individual strengths and weaknesses, and the material is presented in creative ways that engage children. Our child has made great friends and truly loves going to school every day. The Quaker education he is receiving at SSFS is helping him become a creative, caring, empathetic person who is ready to "let [his life] speak."

This school is truly a warm, inviting place where children are accepted for exactly who they are. From the moment we joined the community, we felt welcomed and valued. The environment is one of kindness, respect, and genuine care-where people look out for one another and lift each other up.What stands out most to me is how the school teaches children to advocate for themselves and others. My kids are learning not just academics, but how to be thoughtful, compassionate individuals. They are seen, heard, and deeply cared for-and as a parent, that means everything.The learning here is rich and meaningful. Children engage in incredible experiential opportunities at every grade level-camping, traveling, working on a farm, and connecting with the broader community. These are the kinds of experiences that shape character, build confidence, and create lasting memories.This school truly teaches kindness, and it shows in every interaction. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this amazing community. I love this place and couldn't imagine a better environment for my children to grow and thrive.

I am a faculty parent of a PK-4 student and this is my daughter's second year. Both of her teachers, from this and previous year, are incredibly kind, supportive, and understanding. Her teachers are very attuned to what the kids are passionate about and tailoring their programs to incorporate their interests which really keeps the kids engaged every day. While encouraging and helping them to learn, our teachers prioritize creating a positive attitude towards learning. They put a special emphasis on social emotional learning which I especially appreciate, because I believe it to be a very important life skill. If I were to say a few words about the Upper School where I work as an administrator, it would be that teachers are very invested in their students, both inside and outside the classroom. They go above and beyond to help students not just to excel academically but also to reach their full potential as human beings. I'm truly looking forward to my daughter's long academic and social journey with Sandy Spring Friends School. From everything I've experienced, SSFS provides a nurturing environment where curiosity, community, and integrity are at the heart of learning.I would highly recommend visiting and seeing if SSFS is a good match for your family.

Our son has been attending SSFS since the 6th grade in 2022. Sending him to SSFS was one of the best decisions we could make. SSFS is a college preparatory school with small class sizes, a diverse student population, and where everyone from the students, their families, faculty, staff and administrators are deeply committed to the values of simplicity, equality, honesty, respect and community involvement. When the school notified families in April that they would be closing their doors, we were devastated. We could not find another school that came close to providing the kind of environment SSFS provided for our son. We were ecstatic when the school announced they were staying open and that we had witnessed the kind of love and support SSFS has from people near and far. Under new leadership at all levels and the Board of Trustees, we are watching the school continue to flourish. We are excited that our son is attending upper school at SSFS, and we are excited for others to join us!

Our daughter has been in the lower school at SSFS for 2 years. We never thought we'd look at a private school but we found that in public school, she was being encouraged to be smaller- to dull her personality and to make her simply fit a mold. As a person of color, she shouldn't be encouraged to make herself smaller to fit in. She will make the world bigger for everyone around her- and SSFS has been just the place to help her do that. It has been a PHENOMENAL experience for her and we would highly recommend it to anyone. While it's a big financial commitment for our family, she is safe and loved at SSFS. Worth every penny.