SSFS HOS leaving

[Anonymous]

As a public elementary school second grade teacher who has never had a classroom less than 24 students with many on IEPs.or 504s, along with ELLs, I can assure you that if this teacher is capable, this year will be fine. SSFS has wonderful teachers and support faculty.

I hope once the school year is under way we can all relax a bit - stay assertive about concerns without catastrophizing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

I am confused, that's a really nice ratio and class size. I would assume that if the teacher has an emergency, it would be covered the way it gets covered in the vast majority of schools in this country, where an admin, or specials teacher would step in, or the class would get temporarily combined with 2nd or 4th.

"Really nice ratio"? Nope not at all. 16 to 1 is "good" for public school ratios (U.S. average is 15.5 for public). Private schools average ratios in the U.S. is 12.5 to 1. We're used to private being 10 to 1 in my experience. SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. But paying $34,990k per year for public school ratios is absolutely ridiculous.

I've taught at 2 of the Big 3 and 26 students was the average class size. The student to teacher ratio that appears in most schools' overviews is on paper, not in practice.

I meant 16 students.

SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it is highly misleading as it is currently written.

They don't have specials? If they advertised a class size of 8, then that would be different, but student:teacher ratios are always below class sizes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

I am confused, that's a really nice ratio and class size. I would assume that if the teacher has an emergency, it would be covered the way it gets covered in the vast majority of schools in this country, where an admin, or specials teacher would step in, or the class would get temporarily combined with 2nd or 4th.

"Really nice ratio"? Nope not at all. 16 to 1 is "good" for public school ratios (U.S. average is 15.5 for public). Private schools average ratios in the U.S. is 12.5 to 1. We're used to private being 10 to 1 in my experience. SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. But paying $34,990k per year for public school ratios is absolutely ridiculous.

I've taught at 2 of the Big 3 and 26 students was the average class size. The student to teacher ratio that appears in most schools' overviews is on paper, not in practice.

I meant 16 students.

SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it is highly misleading as it is currently written.

The website says average class size 16.

https://www.ssfs.org/about/fast-facts

Generally at private schools, one would expect the average class size to be about double the student:teacher ratio, with assistant teachers in preschool, art, music, PE, learning support, etc . . . making up the other half of the teacher portion of the ratio. I see those other positions on faculty page.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

But SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

The website literally does not say this. Even if you Google ssfs it says FACULTY to student ratio. That's not the same and average number of kids in a class. I will also say as a teacher of many years, classes can be too small also. 16 is a great number, especially at third grade and up. There are concerns at the school for sure, but this is simply not one of mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

I am confused, that's a really nice ratio and class size. I would assume that if the teacher has an emergency, it would be covered the way it gets covered in the vast majority of schools in this country, where an admin, or specials teacher would step in, or the class would get temporarily combined with 2nd or 4th.

"Really nice ratio"? Nope not at all. 16 to 1 is "good" for public school ratios (U.S. average is 15.5 for public). Private schools average ratios in the U.S. is 12.5 to 1. We're used to private being 10 to 1 in my experience. SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. But paying $34,990k per year for public school ratios is absolutely ridiculous.

I've taught at 2 of the Big 3 and 26 students was the average class size. The student to teacher ratio that appears in most schools' overviews is on paper, not in practice.

I meant 16 students.

SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it is highly misleading as it is currently written.

A class with 16 3rd graders is not too big. I would say 12-15 would be a good size. I could see them having 2 classes if there are 20 students, but having 2 classes (so 2 teachers with full salary and benefits) for 16 students does not make sense financially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

But SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

The website literally does not say this. Even if you Google ssfs it says FACULTY to student ratio. That's not the same and average number of kids in a class. I will also say as a teacher of many years, classes can be too small also. 16 is a great number, especially at third grade and up. There are concerns at the school for sure, but this is simply not one of mine.

Yes it does, see here: https://www.ssfs.org/admission/tuition-value

[Anonymous]

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/mcps-news/2024/06/class-size/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

But SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

The website literally does not say this. Even if you Google ssfs it says FACULTY to student ratio. That's not the same and average number of kids in a class. I will also say as a teacher of many years, classes can be too small also. 16 is a great number, especially at third grade and up. There are concerns at the school for sure, but this is simply not one of mine.

Scroll down to where the headline says "Why is our tuition what it is?" and see the first infographic, it's plain as day. Not sure how you can miss this. Literally says "8:1 student-teacher ratio" https://www.ssfs.org/admission/tuition-value

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

But SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

The website literally does not say this. Even if you Google ssfs it says FACULTY to student ratio. That's not the same and average number of kids in a class. I will also say as a teacher of many years, classes can be too small also. 16 is a great number, especially at third grade and up. There are concerns at the school for sure, but this is simply not one of mine.

Yes it does, see here: https://www.ssfs.org/admission/tuition-value

That is immediately next to where it says average class size. So, even if you didn't realize the school had art and music and Spanish teachers, you'd realize that they weren't talking about classes of 8.

Did you want a school without art and music and Spanish and PE? I am really confused what you are upset about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

But SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

The website literally does not say this. Even if you Google ssfs it says FACULTY to student ratio. That's not the same and average number of kids in a class. I will also say as a teacher of many years, classes can be too small also. 16 is a great number, especially at third grade and up. There are concerns at the school for sure, but this is simply not one of mine.

Yes it does, see here: https://www.ssfs.org/admission/tuition-value

It literally says average class size is 16 here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

But SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

The website literally does not say this. Even if you Google ssfs it says FACULTY to student ratio. That's not the same and average number of kids in a class. I will also say as a teacher of many years, classes can be too small also. 16 is a great number, especially at third grade and up. There are concerns at the school for sure, but this is simply not one of mine.

Yes it does, see here: https://www.ssfs.org/admission/tuition-value

It literally says average class size is 16 here.

It also literally says "8:1Student-Teacher Ratio" C'mon, how can you miss this... it's on the same page BEFORE the class size infographic. And my argument is not about class size, it's about student-teacher ratio.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

But SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

The website literally does not say this. Even if you Google ssfs it says FACULTY to student ratio. That's not the same and average number of kids in a class. I will also say as a teacher of many years, classes can be too small also. 16 is a great number, especially at third grade and up. There are concerns at the school for sure, but this is simply not one of mine.

Yes it does, see here: https://www.ssfs.org/admission/tuition-value

That is immediately next to where it says average class size. So, even if you didn't realize the school had art and music and Spanish teachers, you'd realize that they weren't talking about classes of 8.

Did you want a school without art and music and Spanish and PE? I am really confused what you are upset about.

You're completely missing the point. It's about student to teacher ratio. I don't care how large the class size is. I care about student to teacher ratio. They are advertising 8:1 but it's 16:1. They need to fix their marketing materials. Simple. Phew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

But SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

The website literally does not say this. Even if you Google ssfs it says FACULTY to student ratio. That's not the same and average number of kids in a class. I will also say as a teacher of many years, classes can be too small also. 16 is a great number, especially at third grade and up. There are concerns at the school for sure, but this is simply not one of mine.

Yes it does, see here: https://www.ssfs.org/admission/tuition-value

It literally says average class size is 16 here.

It also literally says "8:1Student-Teacher Ratio" C'mon, how can you miss this... it's on the same page BEFORE the class size infographic. And my argument is not about class size, it's about student-teacher ratio.

But you are upset that your kid is in a class size of 16?

I don't understand the point the PP made about faculty vs. teacher. In this context, they are synonyms. But neither the student:teacher nor student:faculty ratio describes the ratio in the classroom at any given time. At any school in the country learning support, art, music, Spanish, and PE are in that ratio. Like most independent schools, SSFS seems to offer more specials than private schools that pushes ratios down, which is a good thing both because those subjects benefit kids, and because specials mean that teachers get planning time, and the quality of instruction and the degree of individualization goes up.

[Anonymous]

The student/teacher ratio does not measure actual class sizes. It's the total number of students at the school divided by the total number of all teaching faculty, including those that teach specials, part-time teachers, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You're completely missing the point. It's about student to teacher ratio. I don't care how large the class size is. I care about student to teacher ratio. They are advertising 8:1 but it's 16:1. They need to fix their marketing materials. Simple. Phew.

No it isn't. 16:1 would imply that a 650-student school had about 40 teachers. But I think it's safe to assume that SSFS has about 80 teachers. 650 / 80 = 8.15, or about 8 students for every 1 faculty person.

The class size calculation is different because not every teacher has a class every period. If you have 650 students and 600 have class right now, not all 80 teachers are teaching a single class alone at the same time. Some will have a prep period, some will be advising, some may be chaperoning. So you can't derive class size from an overall student/teacher ratio.