Issuu

2025 - 2026 | SCHOOL PROFILE School History, Mission, and Community Founded as a working farm school in 1930, Sanford has evolved into an independent school that identifies and develops the intellectual and creative talents of a diverse group of students in preschool through 12th grade. Sanford’s academically rigorous and emotionally balanced student culture fosters collaboration over competition and provides a demanding and well-rounded college preparatory education. Our ultimate goal is to teach students to live humanely

within the Sanford community to prepare them to meet demands and responsibilities in the broader world. Sanford embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion to create an environment of belonging for all identities. Acknowledging that this work is never done, we continue to listen, learn, engage, and act.

Demographics and Enrollment

Accreditations & Affiliations

2025-2026 Total Enrollment (preschool-12th): 703

Cum Laude Society

Senior Class Size: 72

Delaware Association of Independent Schools

Upper School (9-12): 296

National Association for College Admission Counseling

Students of Color: 39%

National Association of Independent Schools

Upper School Students of Color: 41%

Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools

Upper School Students receiving need-based financial aid: 53%

Potomac & Chesapeake Association for College

Sanford students hail from four states (DE, MD, NJ, PA) and

Admission Counseling

over 53 different zip codes

Curriculum Students in grades 9-11 must enroll in 6 classes per semester, and students in grade 12 must enroll in at least 5.

Students enrolled in an AP course are required to sit for the corresponding exam.

The school recommends that students take no more than 3 AP/honors courses per year. However, students may take more than 3 AP/honors courses after extensive conversations with their advisors and teachers.

Students have the opportunity to take AP classes in 10th grade; the majority of students take AP courses starting in 11th grade.

Heather Graber Stinson Director of College Counseling stinsonh@sanfordschool.org

Pete Williams Associate Director of College Counseling williamsp@sanfordschool.org

Sanford School does not rank.

Jaime Morgan ’02 Head of School

Abbi Smith Head of Upper School

Academic Calendar and Grading Scale Sanford operates on a semester calendar; full-year classes receive 1.0 credit; half-year classes and some electives receive 0.5 (½) credit. Grades are calculated at the end of each semester and a final letter grade is reported as the average of both semesters. • First-quarter grades will be available to students and reported to colleges by November 15. • First-semester grades will be available to students and reported to colleges by January 31. A AB+

(4.00) (3.67) (3.33)

= = =

93-100 90-92 87-89

B BC+

(3.00) (2.67) (2.33)

= = =

83-86 80-82 77-79

C CD+

(2.00) (1.67) (1.33)

= = =

73-76 70-72 67-69

D DF

(1.00) (0.67) (0.00)

= = =

63-66 60-62 <60

The unweighted GPA comprises all classes, whether full-year or semester, which fall under the auspices of the English, Science, Mathematics, History, or World Languages Departments and any class designated either Honors or AP in the Visual Arts Department. The weighted GPA comprises all classes in which a student has received a letter grade other than P/F. In computing the weighted GPA, the School increases a grade earned in a course designated as Honors by one grade mark (1/3 of a point), and a grade earned in an Advanced Placement class by two grade marks (2/3 of a point). Thus, a B (3.0) earned in an Honors class is calculated as a B+ (3.33) for weighting purposes; likewise, a B (3.0) earned in an Advanced Placement class is calculated as an A- (3.67). While the actual earned grade is reflected on the transcript, the additional points for weighting are reflected in the weighted GPA calculation.

Advanced Placement and Honors Courses AP Courses (22): African American Studies* Art History Biology Calculus (AB) Calculus (BC) Chemistry Computer Science A Drawing

Graduation Requirements: 2-D Art & Design 3-D Art & Design English Language & Composition English Literature & Composition Environmental Science French Language & Culture Latin Physics C: Mechanics

Psychology Spanish Language & Cullture Statistics US Government & Politics US History World History: Modern

*Denotes courses not running in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Calculus Chemistry English 9 English 10

Mathematics: 3 credits History & Global Studies: 3 credits (one must be US History) World Languages: 3 credits of the same language Science 3 credits (biology & chemistry required)

Honors Courses (12): Algebra II Anatomy & Physiology Art Biology

English: 4 credits

Geometry Physics Precalculus World Civilizations I

*World Language courses are not offered at the honors level.

Electives: 5 credits (must include 0.5 credit of performing art, studio art, technology and health) Co-curricular activities: one athletic and one co-curricular activity required per year.

Independent Study With proper approval, a student may plan an independent study under the direct academic supervision of an Upper School faculty member. This includes Advanced Placement classes not offered in the standard curriculum. Independent studies are graded on a Pass/ No Pass basis based on criteria agreed upon between the student and faculty supervisor. Grades earned in Independent Studies are not included in a student’s GPA.

University of Delaware Early College Credit Program Juniors and seniors may apply to enroll in one class each semester, which can replace a sixth class in a traditional Sanford schedule. Credit is not given, and GPA is not impacted; however, the student will earn college credits (three credit hours) issued by the University of Delaware.

Additional Curricular and Co-Curricular Programs: Classes and Electives: Sanford School’s curriculum offers a rich liberal arts and sciences education, with a strong emphasis on exploration, risk-taking, and discovering new interests and talents. Students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones— whether that means trying piano or acting for the first time, joining Concert Choir as a senior, signing up for Painting without prior art experience, or tackling The Art of Leadership and Public Speaking despite a fear of the spotlight. Challenging courses are an essential part of Sanford’s academic culture, and they are often the ones students speak about most enthusiastically. These experiences bring to life our motto: No Talent Lies Latent. Student-Led Clubs and Activities: The Upper School offers more than 40 student-led clubs and organizations, each shaped by student interests and community input. These groups are largely run by students, with guidance from a faculty advisor. Recent offerings include Archery Club, Beekeeping Club, Black Student Union, Gender-Sexuality Alliance, Hispanic Heritage Affinity Group, Math League, Sanford Environmental Action League, Science Olympiad, Service Club, and Sign Language Club.

Student-Run Honor Council: Each year, students sign a formal pledge affirming their commitment to honesty, respect, and personal responsibility in daily life at Sanford. When the Honor Code is violated, cases may be brought before the Honor Council—a body of students and faculty entrusted with upholding these values. Athletics: As a proud member of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA), Sanford fields 19 competitive teams. Upper School students are required to participate on an athletic team for at least one season each academic year. Current sports offerings include: Fall: boys’ soccer, cross country, volleyball, field hockey, instructional tennis Winter: basketball, wrestling, swimming, winter track, diving Spring: lacrosse, girls’ soccer, varsity tennis, spring track, golf, baseball, and sailing Senior Capstone: This required research project, on a topic of the student’s choice, culminates in a 3,000-word, publication-ready article and an eight-to-ten-minute presentation before faculty, students, staff, and families. Senior Project: In the final weeks of school, seniors complete an offcampus, unpaid internship with a local business, corporation, or agency of their choosing.

Colleges to which Sanford students have been admitted, 2022-2025. Schools with current Sanford students are shown in bold. Fordham University Albright College Purdue University University of Delaware Franklin & Marshall College Alfred University Quinnipiac University University of Denver Furman University Allegheny College Randolph-Macon College University of Florida George Mason University Alvernia University Reed College University of Georgia George Washington University American University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Glasgow Georgia Institute of Technology Arcadia University Rhodes College University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Gettysburg College Arizona State University Rider University University of Kentucky Goldey-Beacom College Auburn University Roanoke College University of Maine Goucher College Averett University Rochester Institute of Technology University of Mary Washington Hamilton College Babson College Roger Williams University University of Maryland, Baltimore County Hampton University Bard College Rollins College University of Maryland Haverford College Baylor University Rowan University University of Massachusetts Amherst High Point University Binghamton University Rutgers University University of Miami Hobart and William Smith Colleges Boston University Saint Joseph's University University of Michigan Hofstra University Bryant University Salisbury University University of Minnesota Hollins University Bryn Mawr College Salve Regina University University of Mississippi Howard University Bucknell University San Diego State University University of Nebraska Immaculata University Butler University Sarah Lawrence College University of New England Indiana University California Polytechnic State University Savannah College of Art and Design University of New Hampshire California State University (San Marcos) Iowa State University Seton Hall University University of North Carolina at Asheville Ithaca College Carleton College Sewanee: The University of the South University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill James Madison University Carnegie Mellon University Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania University of North Carolina Wilmington Johnson & Wales University Carthage College Simmons University University of Oregon Juniata College Case Western Reserve University Skidmore College University of Pennsylvania Kenyon College Catholic University of America Smith College University of Pittsburgh King's College Chapman University Southern Methodist University University of Rhode Island Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Spelman College Clarkson University University of Richmond La Salle University Clemson University St. Mary’s College of Maryland University of Rochester Lafayette College Coastal Carolina University St. John's College University of Scranton Lehigh University Colgate University St. John's University University of South Carolina Lincoln University College of Charleston St. Lawrence University University of Southern California Louisiana State University College of the Holy Cross Stevens Institute of Technology University of St Andrews Loyola Marymount University Colorado State University Susquehanna University University of Stirling Loyola University Chicago Columbia University Swarthmore College University of Toronto Loyola University Maryland Connecticut College Syracuse University University of Utah Loyola University New Orleans Cornell University Temple University University of Vermont Lynn University Davidson College Texas Christian University University of Virginia Manhattan School of Music Davidson-Davie Community College The College of New Jersey University of Washington Marist College Delaware State University The College of Wooster University of Wisconsin Delaware Technical Community College McDaniel College The Ohio State University Ursinus College McGill University Denison University The University of Alabama Vassar College Miami University (OH) DePaul University The University of Tampa Villanova University Michigan State University DeSales University The University of Tennessee Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Millersville University of Pennsylvania Thomas Jefferson University Dickinson College University Monmouth University Drew University Towson University Wake Forest University Moravian University Drexel University Trinity College Dublin Washington and Lee University Morehouse College Duke University Tufts University Washington College Muhlenberg College Duquesne University Tulane University of Louisiana Washington University in St. Louis Neumann University East Carolina University Union College Wesleyan University New York Institute of Technology Eastern University United States Military Academy at West Point West Chester University of Pennsylvania New York University Eckerd College United States Naval Academy West Virginia University North Carolina A & T State University University College London Elizabethtown College Westminster College North Carolina State University Elon University University of Arizona Wheaton College (MA) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Northeastern University University of British Columbia Whitman College Oberlin College Emerson College University of California (Davis) Widener University Ohio University Emory University University of California (Irvine) Wilkes University Olin College of Engineering Endicott College University of California (Los Angeles) William & Mary Otterbein University Fairfield University University of California (San Diego) Williams College Pace University Fairleigh Dickinson University University of California (Santa Barbara) Wilmington University Penn State University Flagler College University of California (Santa Cruz) Worcester Polytechnic Institute Pennsylvania College of Technology Florida Atlantic University University of Central Florida York College of Pennsylvania Pepperdine University Florida Southern College University of Colorado Boulder Providence College Florida State University University of Connecticut