as a result of the 1993 merger with Friends Elementary School. Connections With Other Friends Schools The establishment of SSFS was preceded by the Sherwood Friends School (also known as Sherwood Academy) as the first Quaker school located in Sandy Spring, from 1883 to 1906. After 1906, Sherwood Academy became part of the Montgomery County public school system, eventually becoming the Sherwood High School. Sherwood Academy occupied the old Ashton (Orthodox Quaker) Meeting House, which was later relocated to the SSFS campus. The nearby Thornton Friends School, named after former Sandy Spring Friends Head of School C. Thornton Brown, traces its roots to an innovative academic program, the “Interlocking Curriculum,” that was first developed at SSFS in 1973. Sandy Spring Friends School annually sends students to QYLC (Quaker Youth Leadership Conference) which connects students from Quaker schools in the area on the basis of leadership, community, and Quaker traditions. Sandy Spring Friends School also plays host to an annual "Friendly Dance Exchange" which was spearheaded by faculty member, Hannah Kerr. Along with Sidwell Friends School and the Friends School of Baltimore, the Dance Programs of the three schools are brought together for a day of community building through dance and choreography workshops. Heads of School Sam Legg (1961–64) John H. Burrowes (1964–66) C. Thornton ("Thorny") Brown, Jr. (1966†-79) Edwin E. Hinshaw (1979–91) Stephen L. Gessner (1991–96) Kenneth W. Smith (1996-2010) Tom Gibian (2010-2020) Rodney Glasgow (2020 - ) †Administrator from 1966–67; appointed Head in 1968 Academics SSFS is accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools and approved by the Maryland Department of Education. It is a member of the Friends Council on Education and the National Association of Independent Schools, among others. The SSFS curriculum is intended to prepare students not only for entering college but also for being valuable citizens of the world. It stresses the challenge of Quaker values, academic excellence, and personal growth in an environment that stresses personal responsibility. Approximately 15% of the students are Quaker. The Lower School (Pre-K to Grade 5) curriculum includes basic skills in reading, mathematics, science, art, music and languages, as well as conflict resolution and Quakerism. Children are encouraged to apply these skills to other life contexts, to think analytically, and to evaluate in both verbal and quantitative areas. The Middle School (Grades 6-8) offers a curriculum of English, general mathematics and algebra, social studies, science, foreign language, art,