SSFS Closing

[Anonymous]

This breaks my heart. My kids had a wonderful time at the school and its so sad to imagine they won't have a community to return as they grow up. They enjoyed coming back for reunions. Their success today was from their experiences at the school. I'm gutted for the current families, faculty and staff. What terrible mismanagment.

[Anonymous]

I just got the email from the Adventure Park about this so I came here to see if it was true. I'm an MCPS parent but always thought SSFS was to be held in high regard and well run....

[Anonymous]

Can someone share the email? Either the SSFS or the Adventure Park one? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Are they finishing the school year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they finishing the school year?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone share the email? Either the SSFS or the Adventure Park one? Thanks in advance.

The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring will remain open and fully operational, despite the announcement that Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS) intends to close and potentially cease operations on June 30, 2025.

Since opening in 2010, The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring has operated as a completely independent entity—separate in both ownership and management from SSFS. As such, the school’s closure will have no impact on The Adventure Park’s operations.

All existing reservations, gift certificates, and rebooking credits remain valid and unaffected by today’s news.

The Adventure Park is currently open daily through April 21 for Spring Break. After that, we will resume our regular Friday–Sunday schedule until our seven-days-a-week summer season begins on May 26.

We remain deeply committed to the Olney/Sandy Spring community and are excited to continue delivering unforgettable adventures for years to come.

For any questions regarding current or future reservations, you can always contact us at [e-mail] or [phone].

[Anonymous]

April 14, 2025

Dear SSFS Parents, Students, Staff, and Community:

With heavy hearts, we write to share that the Board of Trustees has made the extremely difficult but necessary determination that Sandy Spring Friends School will close following completion of the 2024-25 school year.

The Board does not take this decision lightly. It comes only after a thoughtful and extensive assessment of the school’s untenable financial position, as well as thorough analysis of our enrollment and fundraising picture. Regrettably, despite an immense effort to shore up the school’s financial foundation, we simply do not have the financial wherewithal to meet our obligations next year.

We understand that this news comes as a shock, and that the timing of our announcement may only compound the stress of selecting a school for 2025-26 and beyond. We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for all involved. For students and families currently enrolled, we will provide additional information regarding 2025-2026 deposit and tuition refunds and the process of identifying and applying to another school. For faculty and staff, we will provide additional information regarding compensation, benefits and career transition support. Some general FAQs around this closure announcement are provided below.

We are incredibly grateful for the support, trust and dedication that each of you has shown to Sandy Spring Friends School over the past six decades. Our alumni have made lasting impacts across society and our faculty and staff have developed students academically and spiritually in lasting ways. Our students are daily reminders of the beauty of Quaker SPICES in an uncertain world. It is our sincerest hope that their educational journey and personal development will continue to flourish.

We will share more in the coming days. Thank you for being part of the SSFS community and keeping each other in the Light.

[Anonymous]

Sandy Spring Friends School Closure Announcement FAQs
Q: Why is SSFS closing?
A: We regret that this decision was necessary. However, the school’s financial outlook does not provide adequate stability to open the school next year. The school does not currently have, nor does it have a reasonable expectation of obtaining, sufficient funds to cover all the costs of operating the school for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Q: How much money does SSFS need to remain open?
A: The school requires an additional $14 - $16 million over the next three years in order to remain open in the long-term while covering operating losses, debt service, repayment of a loan maturing in the near term, and needed major maintenance projects.

Q: Why make this announcement now? Why not before enrollment contracts were due?
A: The Board and school leaders have been working diligently to identify possible solutions and alternatives to closing. Unfortunately, efforts to increase enrollment and philanthropy as well as cut costs are not sufficient to operate beyond this year. Making this decision now, while a shock, provides as much time as possible for families to secure alternative learning opportunities for their children and for faculty and staff to find other employment opportunities.

Q: What about families who have enrolled in SSFS for 2025-2026?
A: The SSFS business office will be in contact with parents to provide information about return of deposits and tuition payments as well as to assist families as they look for alternative schools for the 2025-2026 school year, as applicable.

Q: What about graduation, the auction/gala, alumni weekend, other annual traditions/events?
A: We will do all we can to close out the school’s final year on a positive and enriching note. Graduation will take place as planned on June 7, 2025; it is important to celebrate all the students and especially acknowledge the hard work of seniors as they transition to college and their next steps. Other annual events will be decided on a case-by-case basis and will be communicated in a timely manner.

Q: Why did you hire an incoming Head of School and new division leaders?
A: As a Board, we had every expectation to continue school operations well into the future. Regrettably, after careful consideration of our financial realities and options, this was a decision we were called to make.

Q: What will happen with the school’s campus?
A: The school's assets, including the campus and buildings, will be decided over the next several months, and will largely be determined by our financing commitments.

Q: Will summer camp still be offered?
A: At this time, there are no plans to run the summer camp. More information to come soon.

Q: Will I be able to obtain my child’s records?
A: School records will be retained and accessible. The business office will communicate details on the process for requesting records.

Q: What support will the school offer faculty and staff?
A: Part of the reason to announce closing at this time is to provide employees as much time as possible to look for other employment opportunities. Teacher/Staff placement services have been contacted; out-placement services are being explored and more details will be shared with faculty and staff.

Q: How will families, students, faculty and staff be supported by the School during this difficult time?
A: The division level administrators will coordinate sessions for the gathering and support of the students and their families in the immediate days after the announcement.

Q: SSFS is under the care of the Sandy Spring Religious Society of Friends. What is their role/responsibility now?
A: The role of the Sandy Spring Meeting is one of spiritual support and care. It has no legal or financial responsibility for the school. It appoints a certain number of trustees, who share the same obligations to steward the school as all trustees.

Q: What factors caused this sudden decision?
A: We can chalk up the school’s financial picture to a number of factors – the lingering impacts of the pandemic on enrollment and giving; our aging facilities and capital needs; the absence of strong philanthropy from which other schools benefit. But, in the end, it was no one factor. The school’s financial picture simply became unsustainable.

Q: Can’t the school sell some property to raise funds?
A: SSFS’s charter does not allow the land which was donated to the school be divided, and at this time, the property is fully mortgaged.

Q: Will the school help my child find a school to attend next year?
A: The school is prepared to offer assistance. In preparation, SSFS has made contact with neighboring schools to inquire about openings and we are assured that many schools are still admitting new students.

Q: Where can I have a conversation about this?
A: Like you, we are heartbroken about this decision. Right now, the Board is focused on putting in place the systems to help staff, students and families transition as smoothly as possible. However, we will do our best to respond to questions sent via the Board of Trustees mailbox ([e-mail])

Q: Will the school still finish the AIMS Accreditation process?
A: Yes, the faculty and staff are gathering on April 16th to continue on the Action Plan.

Q: Could the school ever be re-invented or re-opened?
A: The decision to close the school was indeed a painful one, but it was the only option forward. It would not be appropriate to speculate on the future of Quaker education within our community, but we believe in the value of an enriching Quaker education, and we hope such a need can be met in the future.

Q: Did you consider a merger with or sale to another school?
A: The Board investigated every option for financial sustainability, including a merger or sale, but we were not successful. Due to our large debt and the current uncertainty in the regional market, we are not a likely merger partner for another school.

Q: What happens with my financial aid? Can I take it with me?
A: As you consider other potential schools, we encourage you to consult their admissions teams about financial aid options. Regrettably, your financial aid status at SSFS does not guarantee such a consideration at other schools.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know about the camp?

[Anonymous]

No camp this summer

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain why they are still putting effort into the AIMS action plan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:April 14, 2025

Dear SSFS Parents, Students, Staff, and Community:

With heavy hearts, we write to share that the Board of Trustees has made the extremely difficult but necessary determination that Sandy Spring Friends School will close following completion of the 2024-25 school year.

The Board does not take this decision lightly. It comes only after a thoughtful and extensive assessment of the school’s untenable financial position, as well as thorough analysis of our enrollment and fundraising picture. Regrettably, despite an immense effort to shore up the school’s financial foundation, we simply do not have the financial wherewithal to meet our obligations next year.

We understand that this news comes as a shock, and that the timing of our announcement may only compound the stress of selecting a school for 2025-26 and beyond. We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for all involved. For students and families currently enrolled, we will provide additional information regarding 2025-2026 deposit and tuition refunds and the process of identifying and applying to another school. For faculty and staff, we will provide additional information regarding compensation, benefits and career transition support. Some general FAQs around this closure announcement are provided below.

We are incredibly grateful for the support, trust and dedication that each of you has shown to Sandy Spring Friends School over the past six decades. Our alumni have made lasting impacts across society and our faculty and staff have developed students academically and spiritually in lasting ways. Our students are daily reminders of the beauty of Quaker SPICES in an uncertain world. It is our sincerest hope that their educational journey and personal development will continue to flourish.

We will share more in the coming days. Thank you for being part of the SSFS community and keeping each other in the Light.

Thank you for posting the letter from SSFS. Crazy that they waited until this point.

[Anonymous]

Very sad day. I graduated from SSFS in the early 1990s. It was a wonderful community and educational experience. I’m shocked that this has happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sandy Spring Friends School Closure Announcement FAQs
Q: Why is SSFS closing?
A: We regret that this decision was necessary. However, the school’s financial outlook does not provide adequate stability to open the school next year. The school does not currently have, nor does it have a reasonable expectation of obtaining, sufficient funds to cover all the costs of operating the school for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Q: How much money does SSFS need to remain open?
A: The school requires an additional $14 - $16 million over the next three years in order to remain open in the long-term while covering operating losses, debt service, repayment of a loan maturing in the near term, and needed major maintenance projects.

Q: Why make this announcement now? Why not before enrollment contracts were due?
A: The Board and school leaders have been working diligently to identify possible solutions and alternatives to closing. Unfortunately, efforts to increase enrollment and philanthropy as well as cut costs are not sufficient to operate beyond this year. Making this decision now, while a shock, provides as much time as possible for families to secure alternative learning opportunities for their children and for faculty and staff to find other employment opportunities.

Q: What about families who have enrolled in SSFS for 2025-2026?
A: The SSFS business office will be in contact with parents to provide information about return of deposits and tuition payments as well as to assist families as they look for alternative schools for the 2025-2026 school year, as applicable.

Q: What about graduation, the auction/gala, alumni weekend, other annual traditions/events?
A: We will do all we can to close out the school’s final year on a positive and enriching note. Graduation will take place as planned on June 7, 2025; it is important to celebrate all the students and especially acknowledge the hard work of seniors as they transition to college and their next steps. Other annual events will be decided on a case-by-case basis and will be communicated in a timely manner.

Q: Why did you hire an incoming Head of School and new division leaders?
A: As a Board, we had every expectation to continue school operations well into the future. Regrettably, after careful consideration of our financial realities and options, this was a decision we were called to make.

Q: What will happen with the school’s campus?
A: The school's assets, including the campus and buildings, will be decided over the next several months, and will largely be determined by our financing commitments.

Q: Will summer camp still be offered?
A: At this time, there are no plans to run the summer camp. More information to come soon.

Q: Will I be able to obtain my child’s records?
A: School records will be retained and accessible. The business office will communicate details on the process for requesting records.

Q: What support will the school offer faculty and staff?
A: Part of the reason to announce closing at this time is to provide employees as much time as possible to look for other employment opportunities. Teacher/Staff placement services have been contacted; out-placement services are being explored and more details will be shared with faculty and staff.

Q: How will families, students, faculty and staff be supported by the School during this difficult time?
A: The division level administrators will coordinate sessions for the gathering and support of the students and their families in the immediate days after the announcement.

Q: SSFS is under the care of the Sandy Spring Religious Society of Friends. What is their role/responsibility now?
A: The role of the Sandy Spring Meeting is one of spiritual support and care. It has no legal or financial responsibility for the school. It appoints a certain number of trustees, who share the same obligations to steward the school as all trustees.

Q: What factors caused this sudden decision?
A: We can chalk up the school’s financial picture to a number of factors – the lingering impacts of the pandemic on enrollment and giving; our aging facilities and capital needs; the absence of strong philanthropy from which other schools benefit. But, in the end, it was no one factor. The school’s financial picture simply became unsustainable.

Q: Can’t the school sell some property to raise funds?
A: SSFS’s charter does not allow the land which was donated to the school be divided, and at this time, the property is fully mortgaged.

Q: Will the school help my child find a school to attend next year?
A: The school is prepared to offer assistance. In preparation, SSFS has made contact with neighboring schools to inquire about openings and we are assured that many schools are still admitting new students.

Q: Where can I have a conversation about this?
A: Like you, we are heartbroken about this decision. Right now, the Board is focused on putting in place the systems to help staff, students and families transition as smoothly as possible. However, we will do our best to respond to questions sent via the Board of Trustees mailbox ([e-mail])

Q: Will the school still finish the AIMS Accreditation process?
A: Yes, the faculty and staff are gathering on April 16th to continue on the Action Plan.

Q: Could the school ever be re-invented or re-opened?
A: The decision to close the school was indeed a painful one, but it was the only option forward. It would not be appropriate to speculate on the future of Quaker education within our community, but we believe in the value of an enriching Quaker education, and we hope such a need can be met in the future.

Q: Did you consider a merger with or sale to another school?
A: The Board investigated every option for financial sustainability, including a merger or sale, but we were not successful. Due to our large debt and the current uncertainty in the regional market, we are not a likely merger partner for another school.

Q: What happens with my financial aid? Can I take it with me?
A: As you consider other potential schools, we encourage you to consult their admissions teams about financial aid options. Regrettably, your financial aid status at SSFS does not guarantee such a consideration at other schools.

Where did the FAQ come from it wasn't included in the email?

[Anonymous]

I did not even notice a major difference in their fundraising tone than previous years.