Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great to hear. I have a 9th grader in a solid HoCo HS, but I'm still not impressed.

I'm thinking private school-particularly SSFS-will be a better fit for his personality.

Having said that, yes, I would like him to attend an Ivy. But I'm just as comfortable with UMD-College Park or UMBC-Meyoroff program.

As it relates to sports, he does fencing and martial arts outside of school, so I don't care about school athletics as much.

I'm wondering if he'll have a hard time integrating at the 10th grade entry point.

Wow! I guess more people want their kids to attend an Ivy then there are spots.

Just a reality check: Ivy League acceptance rates are very low, with the overall average around 5%.

Anonymous wrote:This is great to hear. I have a 9th grader in a solid HoCo HS, but I'm still not impressed.

I'm thinking private school-particularly SSFS-will be a better fit for his personality.

Having said that, yes, I would like him to attend an Ivy. But I'm just as comfortable with UMD-College Park or UMBC-Meyoroff program.

As it relates to sports, he does fencing and martial arts outside of school, so I don't care about school athletics as much.

I'm wondering if he'll have a hard time integrating at the 10th grade entry point.

Wow! I guess more people want their kids to attend an Ivy then there are spots.

Anonymous wrote:Ok, SSFS Parents. How was the first quarter? Would you still recommend this school? I'm particularly interested in the upper school, but am open to hear all experiences.

It still ultimately is on whether you feel they are out of the financial whole for long term sustainability whether you’d want to start high school

There have been kids that joined this year in 10th grade. I would contact admissions and see if your son can shadow for a day this fall to see if he likes the vibe. May help based on your questions about integrating in the school.

This is great to hear. I have a 9th grader in a solid HoCo HS, but I'm still not impressed.

I'm thinking private school-particularly SSFS-will be a better fit for his personality.

Having said that, yes, I would like him to attend an Ivy. But I'm just as comfortable with UMD-College Park or UMBC-Meyoroff program.

As it relates to sports, he does fencing and martial arts outside of school, so I don't care about school athletics as much.

I'm wondering if he'll have a hard time integrating at the 10th grade entry point.

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be the one to give a different opinion. Their fall sports teams are across the board having their worst seasons in a long time.

Doesn’t seem relevant to how the school is weathering the near-closure and loss of many students and faculty.

I’m glad to hear it’s holding strong with the reduced numbers. I hope it’s able to solidly come back from the brink over the next few years.

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be the one to give a different opinion. Their fall sports teams are across the board having their worst seasons in a long time.

Weird comment. Sport teams go up and down depending on year at most schools. This is not Dematha. Also, boys soccer went 10-2 and won their division and the PVAC tournament , having a great year. But not every team will be competitive every year.

I’ll be the one to give a different opinion. Their fall sports teams are across the board having their worst seasons in a long time.

US parent here. I see it as a college preparatory environment. Now the range of colleges kids will go to will vary greatly and i get the sense academics are very solid generally but not cutthroat. That approach works for some kids/families and is not the right fit for others.

The campus is beautiful and feels like a small liberal arts college in the countryside. It's been a breadth of fresh air (literally) for our child who was previously in public school. Check it out.

Senior parent here - I think this is the best start to a year that we've had, and this is our 7th year at the school. DS is enjoying his classes, had great support for college apps, and is more socially engaged this year. Rigor is good, but I would also say that SSFS is not the school for a kid who just wants to grind out as many APs as possible in high school. DS will end with 4, and that's the right amount for him given all of the other classes he was interested in taking.

Finding rigor is solid. Taking first AP as a sophomore. Getting pushed in multiple classes by teachers.

Absolutely! My kid (junior) still loves it and thinks its better/closer than ever this year. The kids who are there are "all in", and the school is in an inspiring regrow mode under new leadership and a new board. Definately check it out!

How's the rigor of the curriculum?

Going very well for my sophomore. Very happy as a freshman and really enjoying second year. Small classes with lot’s of teacher interaction and feedback to students. It’s a special place for my kid. Highly recommend checking the school out.

Ok, SSFS Parents. How was the first quarter? Would you still recommend this school? I'm particularly interested in the upper school, but am open to hear all experiences.