Looking for a School in Sandy Spring, Maryland? Discover Sandy Spring Friends School

Choosing a school is one of the biggest decisions you can make together as a family. You are selecting more than just a learning environment; you are selecting a community, values, and a context that shapes and informs the values of growth, confidence, and curiosity in your child. If you are searching for a school in Sandy Spring, Maryland, Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS) provides something uncommon: a transformative education that is grounded in the principles of compassion, inquiry, and action.



SSFS is an independent private school located in Montgomery County, Maryland, that serves kids from preschool through 12th grade. But it is more than a school; it is a context that is extraordinary and where students are seen, heard, and inspired every day. It is a context where learning becomes alive!.

A Campus That Feels Like Home

The SSFS campus is located on 140 tranquil acres in Sandy Spring and is encircled by woods, fields, and trails. As you stroll through the campus, you may hear the giggling of little kids enjoying discovering frogs by the pond, the animated conversation of older students wrestling with a challenging idea, or the congenial hum of students working on their music for an upcoming performance. 

In every grade and in everything we do at SSFS, we make academic learning an authentic and meaningful experience out in the world. Students do not just study - they engage. And, the unspoiled natural landscape means learning feels connected to, rooted in, and joyful about the tangible natural world.

Learning That Sticks

SSFS advocates for inquiry-based education. Students are not trained to memorize facts nor are they told how to think; nor are they taught all in the same way. Instead, students are taught to ask questions, reflect on their learning, take action. The process they follow is called "QRA" (Question, Reflection, Action) and enables students to process their learning through an authentic way by associating their learning with customized and meaningful real-life experiences. 

At SSFS, teachers are not just teachers but are mentors. Its faculty recognize each student individually, and help them become a better student not only academically but socially and emotionally. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor schools, SSFS focuses on experiential and active learning, giving students opportunities to do hands-on projects, collaborate in groups, and utilize interdisciplinary challenges to address creativity, problem-solving, and leadership.

A Place Where Students Belong

SSFS takes pride in welcoming a community that is both diverse and inclusive. Each student comes from a diverse background, but we want students to feel that they have a meaningful sense of belonging. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or on stage, we aim for students to be authentic. 

Parents have said that the school is recognized as a place that values who they are. The relationships that are built between the teacher and student, as well as between students, lay a strong foundation for healthy development. Where schools are places where children are "known," SSFS is a place where children are "seen." 

There is no better way to learn about what makes SSFS who we are than to visit us. You have the opportunity to tour the campus with a group or join a virtual information session, or attend a forum led by parents or current students. You will be able to hear first-hand from a teacher, student, or parent of a child at SSFS. 

At SSFS, you will experience the beautiful SSFS campus, hear what students have to say about their experience at school, learn about the admission process, and feel comfortable asking questions in a comfortable setting. 

Why Choose Sandy Spring Friends School?

  • Academic rigor propelled by curiosity and inquiry

  • A safe space with genuine support is one where every student can thrive

  • Our values promote integrity, peace, and responsibility 

  • Experiential learning exists in every division for every child 

  • An inspiring landscape that integrates learning with nature 

  • Diversity is celebrated, included, and voices are heard


Sandy Spring Friends School isn't just a school to attend. You grow here as a confident, compassionate changemaker. If you're looking for a school that supports your child's academic, social, and ethical development- SSFS might be the school for you! 


If you're ready to learn more, schedule a visit to explore what makes Sandy Spring Friends School special in the Sandy Spring Maryland community!

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