Sidwell Friends

Focus

A dynamic education

Day fees 2025/26

$53,500-$59,900

Term dates

• Term 1: 2 September to 19 December 2025
• Term 2: 5 January to 4 June 2026

Ages

4-18

Pupil count

1,144

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 operates across two campuses: the lower school is in Bethesda, Maryland, and the middle and upper schools are in Washington, DC. In late 2026, a new carbon‑neutral upper school campus for grades 9 to 12 will open. The current upper school will then be renovated to create a new lower school, meaning all three divisions will be united on the same DC-based campus.

Sidwell Friends offers a wide range of extracurricular activities: there are 22 varsity athletic teams, more than 65 student clubs and a packed calendar of theatre performances that help children to explore their creativity and expand their horizons.

Head teacher

Bryan Garman, head of school at Sidwell Friends, previously spent nine years at the school as a history teacher, department chair, director of summer studies, upper school principal and assistant head. He later served as head of Wilmington Friends until 2015, when he returned to Sidwell Friends to take up his current post. He has a doctorate in American studies from Emory University.

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 all eight Ivy League schools.

Admissions

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

Notable alumni

• Chelsea Clinton (writer, daughter of President Bill Clinton)
• Sasha and Malia Obama (daughters of President Barack Obama)
• Bill Nye (presenter)

Accessibility 

Dulles International Airport: 45 minutes

Location

Click for more information about the research process and expert insight behind the Spear’s Schools Index.