Sandy springs friends school?

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on how competitive admissions is for 9th grade?

[Anonymous]

We are looking at this school and think it would be a good fit for our child (starting high school). I've seen comments about concerns about the academics. Wondering if anyone has experience with the upper school and can comment on the teacher quality and the academic challenge.

[Anonymous]

We are also considering this school for our DC (9th grade). Can anyone share their experience? Our child is kind of quiet and not very athletic. He is into technology and science. Will he feel welcome? Are there any bulling/drinking/drugs going on?

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went through the process for 9th and loved it. In the end it came down to distance. While only 30 minutes (and there is a bus from Bethesda), it made logistics of sport, after school clubs etc. more difficult. We were lucky to have options so we went to Burke. We have neighbors whose daughter started there in 11th (from BCC) and she is very happy. She drives herself/carpools with 2 friends and an 8th grader who rides with them. I think if there had been better communication around transportation options we would likely have explored further. Part of me regrets the decision but we are definitely not unhappy at Burke.

PP, would be very interested to hear why you still have some second guessing of burke v ssfs. We are considering both, and like you will be commuting from bethesda. Burke is a much easier commute and seems like a great school, but I wonder if our DC who is used to suburban bethesda publics would be a better fit with the physical and social atmosphere of ssfs.

[Anonymous]

I have a child applying who I think would greatly benefit from the environment at SSFS but I can't get a read on the academics. Any insight into the Upper school academics?

[Anonymous]

I'm a mom who's in Chevy Chase, DC. My child attends SSFS Upper school and absolutely loves it. It is a stellar, hidden gem that combines academic rigour in a friendly, cooperative environment. She has thrived there! All the departments - history, English, science, and Math - are excellent. They even offer AP classes, which she has taken since the 10th grade. The teachers truly want all children to learn their subjects, and treat them with kindness and respect. Lastly, they have a fabulous intersession and community service program that includes both international and domestic trips. Moreover, the Head of School, Tom Gibian, has been phenomenal in assuring it's a diverse, welcoming environment for all students -both US and International. (The school has a large international population that attend because of its stellar international reputation. The school offers both 5 day and 7 day boarding as an option.) Lastly, it's well worth the commute, which is only 27 minutes. They even offer bus service from lots of locations including Silver Spring and Bethesda. Definitely go to the SSFS Open House. You'll learn a lot!

[Anonymous]

How are the Upper school kids? Does the school handle bullying well? Are the kids kind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a mom who's in Chevy Chase, DC. My child attends SSFS Upper school and absolutely loves it. It is a stellar, hidden gem that combines academic rigour in a friendly, cooperative environment. She has thrived there! All the departments - history, English, science, and Math - are excellent. They even offer AP classes, which she has taken since the 10th grade. The teachers truly want all children to learn their subjects, and treat them with kindness and respect. Lastly, they have a fabulous intersession and community service program that includes both international and domestic trips. Moreover, the Head of School, Tom Gibian, has been phenomenal in assuring it's a diverse, welcoming environment for all students -both US and International. (The school has a large international population that attend because of its stellar international reputation. The school offers both 5 day and 7 day boarding as an option.) Lastly, it's well worth the commute, which is only 27 minutes. They even offer bus service from lots of locations including Silver Spring and Bethesda. Definitely go to the SSFS Open House. You'll learn a lot!

Thank you for this information. I see that there is an academic support time built into the daily calendar. How does that work? Can students just seek out help during that time or does it need to be prearranged with the teacher? How much homework does your child typically have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in SSFS for high school but my child is currently in public school. Will he be at a disadvantage in admissions?

No, not at all.

According to the admissions director, almost every student who enters in 9th grade is coming from public.

[Anonymous]

Wow, what are the odds. I found this thread though Google but someone just bumped it yesterday

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in SSFS for high school but my child is currently in public school. Will he be at a disadvantage in admissions?

No, not at all.

According to the admissions director, almost every student who enters in 9th grade is coming from public.

What an odd comment. More than half of their 9th grade comes from their own Middle School, plus kids from Lowell, Green Acres, and FCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in SSFS for high school but my child is currently in public school. Will he be at a disadvantage in admissions?

No, not at all.

According to the admissions director, almost every student who enters in 9th grade is coming from public.

What an odd comment. More than half of their 9th grade comes from their own Middle School, plus kids from Lowell, Green Acres, and FCS.

Well I assume “almost every student who enters in 9th grade” does not include those students already at the school. And it would make sense just due to sheer numbers that more come in 9th from public than from those three small privates.