We have an 11th grader who has been at SSFS since 9th and this quarter has easily been his best start to the school year yet. The students and families and faculty who stayed the course are super committed and the vibe is amazing this year. The new leadership - head of school and board - are energized and righting the ship. We have zero regrets about staying and plan to enroll our younger child for high school in a couple years.

Anonymous wrote:What is the grade size in 8th and the US?
I was thinking about it for HS for my now 8th grader for next year.
She’s an athlete though so sports are important. Do they have full teams?

A good question to ask at an open house or tour.

US parent here. Our second child is a senior, our first child graduated in 2023 and is a junior at a highly competitive university and is doing quite well. Our kids only went to US so can't speak to LS or MS. But for most part we've been very happy. Our kids are particularly self-motivated but they've gotten excellent educations there. There were some bumps no point sugar coating that but I feel like current leadership is doing all the right things to ensure long term stability of school, new HoS seems very impressive. I'd def feel confident recommending SSFS to someone!

What is the grade size in 8th and the US?
I was thinking about it for HS for my now 8th grader for next year.
She’s an athlete though so sports are important. Do they have full teams?

My daughter is currently a senior at Sandy Spring, and it has been an amazing school for her. She takes challenging classes—they offer all of the big APs most MCPS kids seem to take. But I think there is less pressure to take so many APs and to follow your interests—she has taken the same art class 4 years in a row because she loves it. It’s such a supportive place that encourages everyone to be themselves.

The seniors are applying to hard schools to get into but seem more interested in finding a good match than just a name. I think someone could get into an ivy from Sandy Spring. It might even be easier because not everyone is applying, but I know it is a crapshoot in any case.

Parent of an US student and an alum. The teachers are excellent and they offer ma g challenging courses at SSFS. My senior is taking 3 AP classes and other really engaging / challenging classes that they love. (Ethics, Dystopian lit for example.) It is a Quaker school and not a place that emphasizes competition.

The new head seems great and the Upper School Head is excellent! Here is a link to a college list from a few years ago.

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1665581052/sandyspring/pudtzjz4bcrzcv1npg1j/SSFSSchoolProfile2022-2023.pdf

Just search the ssfs college profile. College acceptances are included there

Anonymous wrote:

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