scroll down

Quaker Values

Sidwell Friends is a place where students and faculty thrive on deep and imaginative inquiry—both intellectual and ethical.
Silent Reflection
Sitting together in shared silence is the cornerstone of a Quaker education. Our students and faculty gather each week to listen and reflect.
Learn More
Service
Students at all grade levels do their part to build community, both within our School and in the wider world.
Learn More
Environmental Stewardship
From the food we eat each day to the design of our buildings, we instill in our students an awareness of the earth’s limited resources.
Learn More
Global Citizenship
By studying cultures and languages from around the world, students develop perspective on their own beliefs.
Learn More
Equity, Justice, and Community
The belief that there is “that of God in everyone” is at the heart of our commitment to equity and social justice.
Learn More

Queries

Students develop questions that guide self-examination.
What kind of person do you want to be this year within and outside of our community?

— Lower School students

As the new year begins, how can we impact others through kindness and respect by including everyone in our community?

– 3X Students

As winter turns to spring, how can we not only look out for ourselves and others, but also be better stewards of our environment?

– Fourth Grade Students

As we keep the spirit of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. alive, how can we build bridges to connect and strengthen our relationships with others, rather than building walls that separate our community?

– Third Grade Students

As the seasons change, how can we change our actions to show more kindness toward others?

– Second Grade Students

How can we maintain peace in our community even if there are tensions between people?

-Middle School students

How can we make time to deal with our own issues while at the same time trying to deal with larger issues our world faces?

-Middle School Students

How can we express our appreciation for others through our daily actions?

-Middle School Students

In a consumer world, how can we protect the environment?

-Middle School Students

For what or for whom are you grateful?

-Middle School Students

How might we use simple, everyday actions, to reaffirm and express our Quaker and community values?

-Upper School students

What is the importance of understanding that some identities are socially constructed? What is the importance of understanding the history of those social constructions?

-Upper School Students for EJC Day

"What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation." -Glenn Close How can we implement this idea into our community?

-Upper School Students for Mental Health Awareness Week

How will you counter the incidents of hatred and violence? How do we work intentionally to not normalize violence, discrimination, and oppression? How can we be allies and advocates for one another at Sidwell Friends?

- Upper School Students

How should we respond to someone sharing their truth? How do we reckon with truth even if it makes us uncomfortable?

– Upper School Students

Community Voices

Lower School

The joy of inquiry and exploration is instilled in our youngest learners.

Middle School

Growth and discovery take place in a supportive learning environment.

Upper School

Students are empowered to pursue their interests, both in and out of the classroom.

Alumni

The impact of a Sidwell Friends education extends beyond graduation day.

News

Recent Stories

Explore Our Classrooms

Dive in