We've been at SSFS for over a decade now, with kids in more than one division, including an upper school student currently. We've been impressed with the academics in upper school - our DC is challenged, but not in a way that feels overwhelming. Have seen a lot of growth in our DC since 9th grade year - in critical thinking, logic, planning, and written communication skills. In the upper school, there are teachers that we absolutely love (as does our DC), and there are some who do not connect as well with DC (tends to line up with subjects of interest for DC). I am not as familiar with the behavior issues referred to above. There are kids who get in trouble from time to time (the choices of teenagers are a mystery sometimes), but nothing that we've really noticed or impacted our experience. Overall, the school has been a really good fit for our kids (wish it was closer, but we've made peace with the commute).

Bump

Anonymous wrote:It’s ok but overall we have not been very pleased with it. Academics are hit and miss to a level that seems surprising, lots of behavior issues, and overall pretty impersonal given how much they push that as a selling point. Academic standards are not what I’d expect either. This is for upper school I don’t know much about the lower and middle schools.

What is it about the academic standards that is problematic?

What kind of behavior issues in HS?

PP - by “having a hard time in the US” I meant in the USA, not in the SSFS Upper School!

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about their behavior issues. Is this due to the change in student body post pandemic? Not as many Chinese boarding students? Local kids fill the spots and behave worse? What is Rodney’s response to all of this? I’m just shocked to hear all of this considering his time at SAES

I don’t think the behavior issues have been any different at SSFS than anywhere else - kids are having a hard time in the US, and some act badly. My kid is in 10th grade at SSFS, and I am not seeing anything shocking. Some kids smoke pot, etc. Same as kids at SAES, SFS, Bullis, etc I imagine.

Are kids there smart/intellectual? Nerdy in a good way?

We are excited to start in High School!

I keep hearing about their behavior issues. Is this due to the change in student body post pandemic? Not as many Chinese boarding students? Local kids fill the spots and behave worse? What is Rodney’s response to all of this? I’m just shocked to hear all of this considering his time at SAES

US admit here - has your kid learned to think? Reason? Debate? Be active? What are the things you love most about SSFS?

Current US family. We have had a great experience. Teachers are dedicated and passionate about making sure students are interested and learning. Warm and inclusive community. Kids are geographically spread out. Many families that we have met live in Olney and Silver Spring area. SSFS has been great for our family.

It’s ok but overall we have not been very pleased with it. Academics are hit and miss to a level that seems surprising, lots of behavior issues, and overall pretty impersonal given how much they push that as a selling point. Academic standards are not what I’d expect either. This is for upper school I don’t know much about the lower and middle schools.

Where do most students live? And for those who commute, how hard is it in terms of organizing hang outs etc?

What does that mean?

It is not a competitive school but benefits from being one of the few schools accessible to northern Mont Co and southern Howard Co. I suppose Glenelg is another option for Howard but it is more known for “problem” kids whereas SSFS has a higher quality peer group.