Sandy Spring Friends School has announced the arrival of Dr. Sean Hamer as its new Head of School, marking the start of his leadership as the school enters its 64th year. In April, Sandy Spring Friends School announced it will remain open following a $15 million pledge from the Friends of Sandy Spring coalition after initially announcing its closure.
Per Sandy Springs Friends School: “Today marks the arrival of Dr. Sean Hamer at Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS) and the official start of his tenure as head of the Preschool–Grade 12 Quaker school. As the School begins its 64th year, Dr. Hamer steps into leadership at a pivotal moment, bringing bold vision, deep educational expertise, and a shared commitment to the School’s Quaker mission and progressive values, ensuring that the School’s transformational education will continue to serve students for generations to come.
Dr. Hamer has more than two decades of educational leadership in both independent and public school settings. A lifelong advocate for equity, student-centered learning, and transformative community engagement, Dr. Hamer takes the helm, overseeing SSFS’s learning community, known for its academic program focused on inquiry-based, experiential learning; strong visual and performing arts and inclusive athletics programs; values-based education; and a strong sense of community, rooted in Quaker principles.
“This is an exciting and hopeful moment for Sandy Spring Friends School,” said Sean Hamer. “The School’s mission—to provide an education that nurtures our students’ talents, deepens their understanding, and empowers them to bring about positive change—is more vital than ever. I am honored to lead this extraordinary community forward.”
The SSFS community—alumni, parents, families, faculty, staff, and friends—came together last spring with remarkable resolve to ensure that the School’s mission and values would endure after financial issues briefly threatened the School’s continued operations. “The unified support that we have seen from the SSFS community strengthens the foundation on which the School now moves forward, committed to a sustainable and thriving future,” says Tom Gibian, SSFS Board Clerk.
Under Sean’s leadership, SSFS will focus on institutional priorities that include growing enrollment, reducing debt, fortifying the endowment, and deepening the School’s commitment to its mission and core values. The School will also continue to further its educational programs and mission, characterized by:
● Small class sizes led by exceptional teachers who see and bring out the best in each student;
● A personalized, values-based college preparatory education;
● Transformational experiential learning opportunities including educational travel, inclusive athletics, and outstanding visual and performing arts programs; and
● A learning environment grounded in Quaker values—Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship.
Founded in 1961, Sandy Spring Friends School is an independent, gender-inclusive Quaker day and boarding school in Montgomery County, Maryland, serving students from preschool (age 3) through 12th grade. For more information about SSFS, visit www.ssfs.org.”