The Admission Process at
Sandy Spring Friends School
We are pleased that you are considering a Sandy Spring Friends School educa on for your child. The
admission process allows our Admission Team to learn more about the applicant, while providing your
family an opportunity to fully inves gate what SSFS has to offer. We look forward to ge ng to know your
family through the applica on process, and welcome your ques ons at any me.
Step One: Complete an Online Applica on
Go to www.ssfs.org/admission/applicaƟon process and click on the yellow “apply”
buƩon on the right hand side of the page. You will be prompted to create a
username and password. This same login will allow you to track the status of your
applicaƟon and supplemental pieces.
Step Two: Request Teacher Recommenda ons
Please give the Confiden al Teacher Evalua on Form(s) directly to your child’s
teacher(s).
Step Three: Request School Records
Please complete Sec on I of the School Records Request Form and give the form
to the registrar at your child’s current school.
Step Four: Complete the Tes ng Requirement
Grades PK3‐1 applicants are assessed during their visit to SSFS.
Grades 2‐5 applicants should be tested by an educa onal diagnos cian.
Grades 6‐12 applicants should take the SSAT or ISEE (PSAT may also be used).
Interna onal applicants may take the TOEFL or SSAT.
Step Five: Complete a School Visit and/or Interview
Parents of day school applicants are typically interviewed on the same day as
their child’s classroom visit. Interna onal and boarding applicant interviews can
be in person, via Skype, or if you live in mainland China, with Vericant. An
admissions representa ve will contact you about scheduling once the
applica on has been submi ed.
Have ques ons?
Contact us via phone at 301‐774‐7455 or e‐mail at admission@ssfs.org
SANDY SPRING FRIENDS SCHOOL
Admission Testing Information
We do recognize that children are constantly growing and changing. Therefore, testing is just one
of many factors considered by the Admissions Committee.
For Applicants to Pre-kindergarten (age 3 and 4) through Grade 1
Students entering pre-kindergarten through first grade will undergo an evaluation during their
playgroup visit at Sandy Spring Friends School.
For Applicants to Grade 2 through Grade 5
Applicants who are entering the second through fifth grade take the WISC-V (Weschler
Intelligence Scale for Children - Fifth Edition). We use the results of this nationally normed test
to determine if the child’s potential for learning falls within our students’ range of ability, thus
ensuring that the child will have academic peers at Sandy Spring Friends School. SSFS does not
administer the WISC-V. Parents should contact an educational diagnostician to schedule
individual testing for their child. Sandy Spring Friends School has partnered with Kenneth
Stefano & Associates for testing at a reduced rate. To schedule an appointment with Kenneth
Stefano & Associates, please call 301-770-7507. This requirement may be waived if the child
has taken some level of the Weschler aptitude test within the previous two years.
For Applicants to Grade 6 through Grade 12
Domestic applicants entering 6th through 12th grade are required to take either the Secondary
School Admissions Test (SSAT) or the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). We will also
accept the WISC-V for applicants entering 6th through 8th grade, and for 10th through 12th grade
applicants we will also accept the PSAT scores to satisfy the testing requirement. To register the
applicant for the SSAT, visit their website and register on-line at www.ssat.org or call SSAT at
(609) 683-4440 to request a Student Registration Guide. The school code number for Sandy
Spring Friends School is 7090. To register for the ISEE, visit their website at www.iseetest.org
or call 1-800-446-0320. The ISEE school code for Sandy Spring Friends School is 210937.
International applicants are required to submit one of the following exams as part of the
application process: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), TOEFL Jr.
Comprehensive (for students who are 11-15 years old), or the SSAT: To register for TOEFL or
TOEFL Jr., visit their website at www.ets.org/toefl and register online. Our school code is 7529.
We recommend a score of 70 or higher on the TOEFL, or scores in the following ranges on the
comprehensive exam: 250-285 listening, 250-275 language form and meaning, and 245-275
reading.
Admissions Calendar 2016‐2017 Date October Thursday, Oct. 27 November Tuesday, Nov. 8 Thursday, Nov. 10 Monday, Nov. 14 Thursday, Nov. 17 December Friday, Dec. 2 Monday, Dec. 5 Monday, Dec. 12 Saturday, Dec. 10 January Monday, Jan. 9 Thursday, Jan. 12 Tuesday, Jan. 17 Monday, Jan. 23 Saturday, Jan. 28 February Wednesday, Feb. 1 Friday, Feb. 3 Monday, Feb. 6 Saturday, Feb. 11 Monday, Feb. 13 Friday, Feb. 24 March Thursday, Mar. 2 Tuesday, Mar. 7 Monday, Mar. 13 April Wednesday, Apr. 5 Wednesday, Apr. 19 Tuesday, Apr. 25 May Wednesday, May 3 Thursday, May 18 Thursday, June 1 Last Updated 7‐28‐2016 Event Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit MS Shadow Visit LS Shadow Visit LS/US Shadow Visit MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Playgroup #1 Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS Playgroup #2 Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Playgroup #3 Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS/US Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS Shadow Visit LS/MS/US Shadow Visit LS Notes 8/2012
SCHOOL RECORDS REQUEST FORM
Section I. To the applicant’s parent/guardian:
Please complete the top section of this form and deliver it to the applicant’s current school.
Sandy Spring Friends School requires official records from the applicant’s current school in order to complete the application process.
I, _________________________________________________, hereby give permission to the registrar of
(Name of Parent/Guardian)
____________________________________________________
(Name of Applicant’s Current School)
_______________________________________________________________________________
(School’s Full Address)
to send ________________________________________________’s school reports to Sandy Spring Friends School, where he/she is
( Full Name of Applicant)
applying to grade ______.
Please include progress or grade reports, attendance records, health records, standardized test results, in-school support records, educational
evaluations and IEPs (if applicable), and service plans.
___________________________________________________________ __________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Date
Section II. To the applicant’s current school:
The student named above has applied to Sandy Spring Friends School. In order for us to make an admissions decision, we request a copy of
the following information:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
All of the student’s progress or grade reports from your school plus any from other schools he/she has previously attended.
Please include progress reports for the current academic year.
All testing results.
Any Health Records.
Any educational assessments and IEPs or 504 plan, if applicable.
Attendance Records
Disciplinary records, if any.
Have all financial obligations to your independent school been fulfilled? (Please , if applicable)
Request completed by:
_______________________________________
Print Name
______________________________________
Signature
Please send the school records along with this form to:
Yes
No
___________________________________________
Position
___________________________________________
Date
Sandy Spring Friends School
Attn: Admissions Office
16923 Norwood Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Phone: (301) 774-7455 Fax: 1-301-576-8664
8/2012
CONFIDENTIAL TEACHER EVALUATION FORM
For Students Applying to Sandy Spring Friends School
Entering Pre-Kindergarten through First Grade
Child’s Name_____________________________________________________________ Applicant for Grade __________________
To the Teacher: We appreciate your cooperation in completing this form for the student above who has applied to our school.
After completion, we recommend that you keep it for your records. Please FAX this form to 301-576-8664. All information
received from you is confidential and will be shared only with the Admissions Committee. We will review your comments with
the understanding that young children are constantly changing and developing. If you have questions or would like to provide
additional information, please contact the Office of Admissions at 301-774-7455 or admissions@ssfs.org. Thank you.
Name of person completing this form __________________________________
___________________________________
(please print)
(signature)
Relationship to applicant: Current Teacher Previous Teacher Other (please explain)___________________________________
Name of school where you teach/taught the applicant ________________________________________________________________
I have known this applicant for __________________ years/months.
Date of this reference ________________________________
May we contact you for further information? ____ Best time to reach you? _________ Telephone # __________________________
PRE-ACADEMIC SKILL DEVELOPMENT
OUTSTANDING
AGE-APPROPRIATE
NEEDS DEVELOPMENT
OUTSTANDING
AGE-APPROPRIATE
NEEDS DEVELOPMENT
.
OUTSTANDING
AGE-APPROPRIATE
NEEDS DEVELOPMENT
Listens in a group
Contributes to group discussions
Follows directions
Works well independently
Participates in group activities
Completes tasks
Uses materials purposefully
Can focus on one task
Respects classroom routines
Responds positively to redirection
Makes an easy transition from one activity or location to another
Is curious
Is willing to try new activities
Is a self-starter
Is a risk-taker
Enjoys new challenges
Exhibits problem-solving abilities
Expresses ideas well
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Is supportive of peers
Is comfortable with adults
Plays alone comfortably
Plays cooperatively with peers
Shares well
Is imaginative
Has the capacity to lead
Has the capacity to follow
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Small muscle control & coordination
Large muscle control & coordination
Speech development (articulation)
Please complete both sides
8/2012
Please circle the words below that best describe this applicant:
verbal
outgoing
over-protected
responsible
creative
well-behaved
quiet
shy
loner
social
distracting
disobedient
cheerful
irritable
helpful
well-liked
distractible
anxious
self-disciplined
compassionate
positive leader
negative leader
perfectionist
easily discouraged
impulsive
manipulative
conscientious
respectful
honest
attention-seeking
Please comment briefly on each of the following regarding this applicant:
Favorite activities in school
Peer relationships
Typical response to conflict or frustration
Degree of self-reliance
Relationship with parents
Particular strengths
Areas of concern
Please describe the parent(s) degree of cooperation and involvement with your school:
For applicants to K or 1st grade, please describe this applicant’s readiness for:
Beginning reading skills
Beginning writing skills
Beginning math skills
passive
aggressive
generous
motivated
follower
confident