Sidwell Friends

Focus 

A dynamic education

Day fees 2024/25 

$51,400–$57,600 

Pupils 

1,142

Ages

4–18

Spear’s Review

The school of choice for the offspring of presidents and diplomats, Sidwell Friends does not only cater to the elite, remaining grounded in the Quaker values of ethical leadership, global citizenship, environmental stewardship and service.

Founded in 1883, the school now operates across two campuses, with the lower school in Bethesda, Maryland, and older students in Washington, DC. Each student is encouraged to participate in the Quaker traditions of shared silence and reflection, and the school does not compute GPAs or assign class rankings, nor grant academic awards or honours.

Sidwell Friends hosts a wide range of extracurricular activities: 23 varsity athletic teams, more than 65 student clubs and a packed calendar of theatre performances help children to explore their creativity and expand their horizons.

University and college destinations

In the last five years, Sidwell graduates have matriculated at some of the world’s top universities, including the University of Oxford and Harvard University.

Head teacher

Bryan Garman, Sidwell Friends head of school, previously worked at Sidwell Friends for nine years – as a history teacher, department chair, director of the summer studies program, upper school principal and assistant head of school – before serving as head at Wilmington Friends until 2015, at which time he returned to Sidwell Friends as head. He has a doctorate in American studies from Emory University.

Admissions

Prospective students can begin their admissions process by creating an online profile on the school’s portal; following this they will be invited to interview and attend a group assessment day.

Accessibility 

Dulles International Airport: 45 minutes

Location

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