Sand Spring Friends School

[Anonymous]

I never see this school mentioned here. I'm considering my DD for K there....any current or past families have any feedback?

[Anonymous]

My brother went there 9-12. Seemed nice. Pretty liberal. Not a stunning college list, but they place more value on finding the right place for each kid. Lots of individual attention, a good place for non traditional learners.

[Anonymous]

That's my dream school for my kid. If I could swing the tuition, I'd apply there.

[Anonymous]

If we lived closer, we'd send DC there. Everyone I've met from the school has been lovely, students and parents.

[Anonymous]

We really wanted to love this school -- beautiful campus, we love the families we know, and from appearances it has more authentically quaker values than that other better-known quaker school. It was our first choice going into the process, and DC was accepted to Sandy Spring for an upper grade. But when we got to know the curriculum, it just didn't seem as challenging as some other schools, including public options. For example, SS explains that it sees no reason to push kids in math, and in some respects they have a point, but it's also true that some kids are really ready to move on. I'd love to hear that they've changed this math policy since we looked 2-3 years ago, because I'm rooting for this school.

[Anonymous]

I attended Sandy Spring for high school and I am truly grateful for the experience. And I am especially thrilled to see that the school has continued to grow, has sustained leadership and is able to raise money.

Back when I attended it was easily the most "earthy-crunchy" school out there - very progressive, very hippy style. But has always stayed true to its Quaker roots. What I valued most about going there was learning about the good you can do in the world. The motto "Let Your Lives Speak" is real.

As far as colleges admissions go I think it has more to do with the fact that a Springer is not going to be attracted to the typical well-known schools and you won't find tons of kids applying to Yale, Harvard, MIT, etc. But that does not mean they aren't qualified to attend. When I applied to college my friends were looking at some of the colleges with Quaker roots like Earlham, Haverford, Swarthmore and smaller liberal arts colleges. I attended Mount Holyoke College.

It's not a school for those looking for just high-octane academics. But if you want your kids to really learn about the world, social and environmental justice, etc. then look at SSFS.