Admissions FAQs

How do I apply?

The easiest way to apply is online directly from our website. Apply online between September 8, 2009 and December 15, 2009. Or, you may download and print Part I of the application and mail it to our office. Part I can be accessed here.
After you submit Part I, all supplementary materials that make up Part II of the application can be downloaded and printed by clicking here. http://www.sidwell.edu/admissions/application-materials/index.aspx

What are your application deadlines?

Our application deadlines for the 2010-2011 school year are as follows:
Part I: December 15, 2009*
Part II: January 15, 2010
Financial Aid: February 1, 2010
Decision letters mailed in early March

*Please note that we cannot guarantee an interview for applicants who apply after December 1, 2009

Are campus tours and information programs available?

Tours and information programs for Lower, Middle and Upper School are offered from September-December. You can register for our fall information sessions and for our Middle and Upper School Saturday Open House by clicking here.

What are your application requirements?

To view application requirements for each division, click on the desired division below:

What are the age requirements for applicants?

We have an age requirement at our Lower School and use September 1 as our birthday cutoff. Your child must meet the age requirement for the grade to which he/she is applying. For applicants for the 2010-2011 academic year, please refer to the dates below for guidance.

Grade	Age	Born Before
PK	4	9/1/2006
K	5	9/1/2005
1	6	9/1/2004
2	7	9/1/2003
3	8	9/1/2002
4	9	9/1/2001

What are the criteria for admission to Sidwell Friends?

During the application process, we ask applicants to submit information from a variety of sources, including teachers, parents, and independent testers, as well as written statements from the applicants themselves (for Upper School). We carefully consider a student’s previous academic performance, as well as how their individual talents, passions, and strengths might contribute to the diverse tapestry of our School community. Above all, we make admissions decisions with careful sensitivity to the academic, social, and emotional well-being of each applicant. It is important to us to ensure that every student we admit can be successful and happy at Sidwell Friends School. If you are unsure about whether Sidwell Friends School might be a good fit for your child, please attend one of our information sessions, or call the Admissions Office at 202-537-8111.

Are any applicants given special consideration?

While it is by no means a guarantee of admission, Sidwell Friends does give special consideration to the applicant groups listed below:

Children of Members of the Religious Society of Friends
Children of Sidwell Friends employees
Current student's siblings
Children of Sidwell Friends alumni/ae
Former students in good academic standing

How many students are accepted to each grade?

Although we will accept applications to each grade, we only increase the class size at certain grades. We have 22 openings for PK, 26 openings for K, 16 openings for 3rd, 16 openings for 6th, 16 openings for 7th, 22 openings for 9th. Grades other than those mentioned above will have openings only through attrition.

Is financial aid available?

Absolutely. Approximately 23% of the student body receives a total of $5.4 million in financial aid. Sidwell Friends School awards financial aid based on a family's need. We do not offer merit scholarships. Grants are awarded on the basis of the SFS Financial Aid Committee’s review of information provided on the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) and 1040 tax forms. To learn more about financial aid at Sidwell Friends School, click here.

Does applying for financial aid affect my child’s chances of admission?

Applying for financial aid will not impact your child’s chances of admission. The School admits students on a “need-blind” basis, meaning that an applicant family’s economic circumstances are not considered by the Admissions Committee when making admissions decisions.

How can I get more information about the academic program at Sidwell Friends?

Our School is organized in three divisions. Click on the appropriate division for links to descriptions of each division’s academic program.

Lower School (Grades PK-4)
Middle School (Grades 5-8)
Upper School (Grades 9-12)

How diverse is your student body?

Diversity is a core value of Sidwell Friends School. We are committed to maintaining a student body that represents a wide range of backgrounds, beliefs, and life experiences. Sidwell Friends believes that diverse perspectives and meaningful inquiry fuel academic excellence and promote personal growth. Each of our three divisions stresses empathy, equity and social justice in age appropriate ways. To read more about the ways in which we prize diversity at Sidwell Friends, click here.

Does my child have to be a practicing Quaker to attend Sidwell Friends?

Students do not have to be practicing Quakers to attend Sidwell Friends School. We welcome students of all faiths. To learn more about Quaker values and how they shape the educational philosophy at Sidwell Friends School, click here.

Is there a school uniform?

There is no uniform for students at Sidwell Friends. Cleanliness, neatness, and simplicity are the objectives of the dress code.

What are the hours for the school day?

The Lower School starts at 8:30 a.m and ends at 3:00 p.m. Tuesdays are early dismissal days with school ending at 2:00 p.m.The Middle School starts at 8:00 a.m and ends at 3:20 p.m. Tuesdays are early dismissal days with school ending at 1:55 p.m. The Upper School starts at 8:00 a.m and ends at 3:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays are early dismissal days with school ending at 2:30 p.m.

What is the student/teacher ratio?

PK	K-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-12
11:1	12:1	12:1	16:1	12:1	13:1 (varies)

Do you have bus service?

Bus service is provided between our two campuses in Washington, DC and Bethesda, MD before and after school. The cost is $695 for one-way and $995 for round trip. The bus schedule is as follows:

7:20 a.m. - Depart Lower School	7:50 a.m. - Arrive Upper School
8:00 a.m. - Depart Upper School	8:30 a.m. - Arrive Lower School
3:10 p.m. - Depart Lower School	3:30 p.m. - Arrive Upper School
3:40 p.m. - Depart Upper School	4:00 p.m. - Arrive Lower School

Is there before and aftercare?

The Lower and Middle Schools both conduct aftercare programs on their respective campuses. There is no before school care available. The aftercare programs run until 6 p.m. and can be used 1 day per week through 5 days per week. There is also a drop-in program available for those with only an occasional need. Learn more about the Lower School and Middle School aftercare programs.

Are there extra fees beyond the cost of tuition?

Tuition includes a daily hot lunch, curriculum fees, and Lower School textbooks. Some Middle and Upper School students receiving financial aid receive assistance with textbook costs. Transportation between our Lower School and our Wisconsin Avenue campus carries an additional fee, but families receiving financial aid may receive assistance for a portion of this cost. For more information on tuition and fees, click here.