Sidwell Friends School
- Private
- WASHINGTON, DC
Private School
Sidwell Friends School
- grade A+Overall Grade
- Private
- PK, K-12
- WASHINGTON, DC
- Rating 4.26 out of 5 78 reviews
Report Card
- Academicsgrade A+
- Diversitygrade A
- Teachersgrade A+
- College Prepgrade A+
- Clubs & Activitiesgrade A+
- Sportsgrade A minus
About
Applying
Application Deadline
January 5
Application Fee
$70
Interview Required
Yes
Required/Recommended Tests
No data available
Tuition
Yearly Tuition
$55,140
Tuition is for the highest grade offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.
Received Financial Aid
23%
Average Financial Aid
$35,923
From Sidwell Friends School
Sidwell Friends School is a PK–12, co-educational Quaker day school founded in 1883. Individually and collectively, we challenge ourselves to pursue excellence in academic, athletic, and artistic realms. We are committed to the joys of exploration and discovery. Differences among us enhance intellectual inquiry, expand understanding, and deepen empathy. The Quaker pillars of the School inspire active engagement in environmental stewardship, global citizenship, and service. We find strength in reflection and shared silence. At the heart of each endeavor, we strive to discern deeper truths about ourselves and our common humanity, preparing students and adults to “let their lives speak.”
Upcoming Events
Sidwell Friends School Rankings
Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.
Academics
Average Graduation Rate
100%
Average SAT
1450
185 responses
Average ACT
33
125 responses
Popular Colleges
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following colleges.
Equity, Justice, and Community
As a Quaker school, the values of equity, justice, and community are deeply woven into the educational mission. To serve every student effectively is to nurture their intellectual, social, and spiritual growth through habits of mind and heart—to teach deep listening and self-reflection.
Culture & Safety
Poll
100%
of students agree that they feel safe at their school. 16 responsesPoll
94%
of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there. 16 responsesStudents
Diversity
grade A
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
1,142
100%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive. 17 responses82%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy. 17 responses71%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic. 17 responsesTeachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
National
17:1Poll
94%
of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons. 16 responsesPoll
94%
of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students. 16 responsesPoll
88%
of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom. 16 responsesMap
Map
Home Listings
Clubs & Activities
Clubs & Activities
grade A+
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
Very High
Boys Athletic Participation
High
100%
of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. 13 responses92%
of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need. 13 responses92%
of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations. 13 responses- Cost of Livinggrade C
- Good for Familiesgrade A
- Housinggrade C minus
Median Household Income
$160,606
National
$75,149Median Rent
$2,160
National
$1,268Median Home Value
$1,043,105
National
$281,900Sidwell Friends School Reviews
Rating 4.26 out of 5 78 reviews
A school with very accomplished teachers, highly capable students, and some problems. Academics are absolutely first-rate, and academic integrity is very seriously enforced, far beyond the standards of my college (a top Ivy). However, as at many Quaker schools, the school politics are stifling and highly punitive to students. It is expected and openly stated that students have neither privacy nor rights either in or outside of school to express themselves outside the School's tight political norms. Running afoul of this, whether deliberately or accidentally--or far in the past--results in purges; that is, expulsions. Further, although it takes abounding pride in its value system, the School is largely unsuccessful at transmitting to students any genuine values other than the do-or-die importance of academic achievement. Finally, Sidwell is far from alone among area schools in having disproportionately many suicide and drug deaths among its young alumni. This must never be ignored.
My child started at Sidwell in 9th grade and absolutely loved it! He came from a school without grades, so we weren’t sure how it would go at a place we had heard was pretty intense, but it was wonderful. He loved the Quaker ethos and silent meetings and loved the challenge of his classes. He was able to participate in theater, music, and sports, and he felt that the program completely supported his desire to try new things. He excelled at the sport he tried for the first time there and felt the camaraderie of the team was one of the best parts of his school life. The friendships he made at Sidwell are still his closest. He did very well academically and surprised us by heading off to an Ivy League School with a generous scholarship (and not a sports recruit). Can’t say enough good things.
It can be a lot of work, but it is worth it. The food is really good. There are some good sports, but if you aren't in one people care about/we are good at (like basketball) no one cares. There is a pretty good community at the school; generally people come to things like art displays, games, and performances, which is great.