Thank You for Starting the Journey With Us.
Finding the right school for you and your family is an important process, one that is both equally exciting and challenging as you investigate, reflect on what you've learned, and come to a decision. At Sandy Spring Friends School, we encourage this inquiry-based method of learning—in fact, it's ingrained in our School's educational philosophy.
Across our three divisions, we help students internalize a process we call "QRA"—Question, Reflection, Action—which ensures that they think critically, have opportunities to reflect on and integrate new knowledge, and apply what they learn. Our challenging academic curriculum, enriched arts program, inclusive athletics, and service opportunities promote intellectual excellence, collaboration, and strength of character. Recognizing the unique worth of each person, our faculty and staff strive to challenge each student to reach their potential and develop individual talents.
Sandy Spring Friends School students are engaged in the learning process; enjoy the integration of academics, arts, and athletics; and seek to become constructive, caring and effective citizens of the world. We hope you will join our thriving community of scholars, performers, athletes, artists, thinkers, and doers.
At Sandy Spring Friends School, our motto is "Let Your Lives Speak." This motto expresses our philosophy of educating all aspects of a person so that their life—in all of its facets—can reveal the unique strengths within.
As a Quaker School, underlying all that we do is a commitment to the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, honesty, respect, peaceful resolution of conflict, and community involvement. Our values-based education, paired with our strong academic program, allows our students to take what they learn and apply it in useful and meaningful ways.
Our Admissions team is committed to giving you the support you need to make the best decision for your child's education. Schedule your one-on-one 15-minute Zoom meeting with one of our Admissions Directors at a time that's convenient for you, and learn more about SSFS, and about the next steps in the application process.
We are pleased that you are considering a Sandy Spring Friends School education for your child.
Our current academic year application is available online via Ravenna. Our application process will allow you to become familiar with our school, while we have the opportunity to get to know you and your child and help you determine whether SSFS is the right school for your family.
Application Timeline
FALL (last year)
Online Application is Available
JAN 15th of current year
Priority Application Deadline
MAR 2nd of current year
Notification Deadline For SSFS
Spring-Summer of current year
Rolling Admissions
Applications submitted after the priority application deadline are considered on a space-available basis.
SSFS is one of the DC-area schools using a web-based application called Ravenna for the submission of online applications. Ravenna allows you to efficiently apply to schools, submit forms electronically, and track the status of your application online. Families are encouraged to create a Ravenna account, then select the "Washington, DC" area from the dashboard and click on Sandy Spring Friends School. This will give you access to our online application, as well as school record requests, teacher recommendation forms (not required for Preschool Age 3), and other documents.
Applicants in Preschool (Age 3) to 1st Grade must attend a Saturday morning playgroup, as well as have a parent interview with the Director of Admissions, as a part of their interview process. The parent interview is generally a 30-minute appointment for us to learn more about your child and to answer any questions you may have.
Once your application has been submitted, you will be able to schedule both the Saturday playgroup and parent interview through your Ravenna account. Please be aware that Preschool (Age 3) to 1st Grade students will be assessed during their Saturday playgroup visit to Sandy Spring Friends School.
Application Timeline
FALL(last year)
Online Application is Available
JAN 15th of current year
Priority Application Deadline
MAR 2nd of current year
Notification Deadline For SSFS
Spring-Summer of current year
Rolling Admissions
Applications submitted after the priority application deadline are considered on a space-available basis.
SSFS is one of the DC-area schools using a web-based application called Ravenna for the submission of online applications. Ravenna allows you to efficiently apply to schools, submit forms electronically, and track the status of your application online. Families are encouraged to create a Ravenna account, then select the "Washington, DC" area from the dashboard and click on Sandy Spring Friends School. This will give you access to our online application, as well as school record requests, teacher recommendation forms, and other documents
For 2nd grade to 5th grade applicants, SSFS requires both a Reading and Math teacher recommendation, however, they can submit one if they have the same teacher for both subjects.
2nd-5th grade applicants are required to take the WISC-V.See Testing Centers here.
Applicants will spend time during a school day shadowing a host student on campus. Once your application has been submitted, you will be able to schedule both the shadow visit and parent interview through your Ravenna account. The parent interview is generally a 30-minute appointment for us to learn more about your child and to answer any questions you may have.
Application Timeline
FALL (last year)
Online Application is Available
JAN 15th of current year
Priority Application Deadline
MAR 2nd of current year
Notification Deadline For SSFS
Spring-Summer of current year
Rolling Admissions
Applications submitted after the priority application deadline are considered on a space-available basis.
SSFS is one of the DC-area schools using a web-based application called Ravenna for the submission of online applications. Ravenna allows you to efficiently apply to schools, submit forms electronically, and track the status of your application online. Families are encouraged to create a Ravenna account, then select the "Washington, DC" area from the dashboard and click on Sandy Spring Friends School. This will give you access to our online application, as well as school record requests, teacher recommendation forms, and other documents
For 6th grade to 8th grade applicants, SSFS requires both a Reading and English recommendation.
For applicants for 6th-8th grade, the preferred test is the SSAT; however, we will also accept the ISEE or WISC-V. Please request that your SSAT scores be sent to SSFS. SSAT school code: 7090. ISEE school code: 210937
Applicants will spend time during a school day shadowing a host student on campus. Once your application has been submitted, you will be able to schedule both the shadow visit and parent interview through your Ravenna account. The parent interview is generally a 30-minute appointment for us to learn more about your child and to answer any questions you may have.
Application Timeline
FALL (last year)
Online Application is Available
JAN 15th of current year
Priority Application Deadline
MAR 2nd of current year
Notification Deadline For SSFS
Spring-Summer of current year
Rolling Admissions
Applications submitted after the priority application deadline are considered on a space-available basis.
Please create a Ravenna account, then select the "Washington, DC" area from the dashboard and click on Sandy Spring Friends School. This will give you access to our online application, as well as school record requests, teacher recommendation forms, and other documents. You will also be able to track the status of your application. Please contact admissions@ssfs.org if you have any questions.
The SSAT is the preferred test for applican ts, but we will also accept the ISEE, PSAT, or SAT.
Please request that your scores be sent to SSFS.
Applicants will spend time during a school day shadowing a host student on campus. Once your application has been submitted, you will be able to schedule both the shadow visit and parent interview through your Ravenna account. The parent interview is generally a 30-minute appointment for us to learn more about your child and to answer any questions you may have.
If you have questions, please contact Marcia Johnson at marcia.johnson@ssfs.org or 301-774-7455.
Application Timeline
FALL (last year)
Online Application is Available
JAN 15th of current year
Priority Application Deadline
MAR 2nd of current year
Notification Deadline For SSFS
Spring-Summer of current year
Rolling Admissions
Applications submitted after the priority application deadline are considered on a space-available basis.
Please create a Ravenna account, then select the "Washington, DC" area from the dashboard and click on Sandy Spring Friends School. This will give you access to our online application, as well as school record requests, teacher recommendation forms, and other documents. You will also be able to track the status of your application. Please contact admissions@ssfs.org if you have any questions.
The SSAT is the preferred test for applicants, but we will also accept the ISEE, PSAT, or SAT. Please request that your scores be sent to SSFS:
All applicants are required to complete an interview.
If you have questions, please contact Tobi Goss at 301-774-7455 or tobi.goss@ssfs.org.
Boarding applicants who are able to visit the campus are encouraged to have an overnight stay as part of their visit. Typically, overnight visits are scheduled Sunday-Thursday during the academic year. We also offer day shadow visits for applicants who do not want to spend the night. For questions and additional information, please contact the admissions office at admissions@ssfs.org or 301-774-7455.
Application Timeline
FALL (last year)
Online Application is Available
JAN 15th of current year
Priority Application Deadline
MAR 2nd of current year
Notification Deadline For SSFS
Spring-Summer of current year
Rolling Admissions
Applications submitted after the priority application deadline are considered on a space-available basis.
An application must be completed and submitted online. We will accept applications via SAO or Ravenna. If you choose to create a Ravenna account, select the “Washington, DC” area from the dashboard and click on Sandy Spring Friends School. This will give you access to our online application as well as any required documents and forms. You will also be able to track the status of your application. Please contact admissions@ssfs.org if you have any questions.
We encourage applications to be submitted in the fall. Applications submitted after January 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.
Applicants using Ravenna will be able to download forms, upload completed forms, and confirm receipt of online teacher recommendation forms, school requests, and other documents needed to complete your online application.
Applicants usingSAO will be able to download forms directly from SAO, upload completed forms, and confirm receipt of online teacher recommendation forms, school requests, and other documents needed to complete your online application.
International students are required to submit one of the following exams as part of the application process. Your score report should be sent directly to Sandy Spring Friends School admissions office; we require ONE of the follow tests:
All applicants are required to complete an interview.
Twitter