In a Conversation with Friends, Adama Konteh Hamadi ’04 and Helen Li ‘04 discuss how to put away the cape, live intentionally, and find clarity and purpose in chaotic times.

A new approach to minimester meant that the 5th grade got immersed in the study of water.

Together let us hold in the Light the victims of last night’s Atlanta area murders. Their families and communities have our deepest sympathies. Sidwell Friends School wholly condemns this violence and deplores the ongoing racism committed against Asian Americans.

Sidwell Friends has an obligation to confront and teach this history and unequivocally condemns the ongoing presence of anti-Asian racism.  As a Quaker school, we must eliminate hate, deepen understanding, and promote unity in diversity.

Michael Heller ’80 and James Salzman (P ’13) illuminate hidden rules of ownership in Mine!

On March 10, Upper School students participated in EJC day; Cat Dawson ’04 kicked things off with a look at whose faces we see on museum walls. 

In the wake of recent news reports of harassment and assaults against Asian Americans, it is worth noting that anti-Asian racism and hate crimes are not new in America. How do we lift more voices to inspire awareness and effect change?  

Girls Rising in Technology supports Upper School girls interested in STEM, both in and out of the classroom.

The concept of repairing the world has motivated Lora and Jeffrey Drezner (P ’03, ’06, GP ’34) throughout their lives and careers as healthcare and educational professionals. It also drives their philanthropic endeavors.

1969 took home multiple awards from the American Scholastic Association—but the real prize is providing a free space for Black student voices. 

The School’s professional development program spotlights anti-racist practices, new perspectives on old ideas, and how to make all student voices heard.

The Parents of Asian Students have broadened their horizons in the tastiest way possible—through a series of online cooking classes.

Brett Dakin ‘94 on lessons learned from an “American Daredevil”

A new program developed by the Auxiliary Department links Sidwell Friends students with one another in a new way. 

How "music essays" helped 7th and 8th graders express themselves and their pandemic experiences in a new way. 

We mourn the loss of Brittany Chase, Senior Executive Assistant to Upper School Principal Mamadou Guèye.

The virtual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Learning kept community at its center.

Female math and science students produce an award-winning magazine.

The 4th grade celebrates a classmate's grandmother by making hundreds of sandwiches for Martha's Table

KK Ottesen ‘89 and Hayes Davis discuss the intimate “portraits of courage” in Ottensen’s recent book, Activist.

The Young Musicians and Artists for Peace program aims to find community in distance and light in the darkness.

In the wake of political rancor, racist violence, and a devastating pandemic, we are called to remind our community and our children that words matter, respect matters, civility matters, democracy matters.

After months of hard work, it is time to rest. It is time to regroup and reenergize. In the wake of uncertainty and distance, it is time to be grateful for this community’s well-being and comfort. Here is our 2020 holiday video card for you.

During COVID, the School’s Auxiliary Programs team has reinvented camp, afterschool activities, employee childcare, and even shopping.

Tara Prakash ’25 is honored by Bow Seat's 2020 Ocean Awareness Contest for her poem "Caged Connections."

This year's 4th grade class takes a non-traditional path to their traditional fundraiser—reading audiobooks that can be shared by all.

During a recent Conversation with Friends, journalist Anne Applebaum ’82 joined Elsa Walsh (P’ 94, ’15) to discuss “the seductive lure of authoritarianism,” current political disenchantment, and political polarization across the globe. 

A digital postcard from our fourth grade singers sending warm wishes for peace this Thanksgiving holiday. 

A fourth-grade class showers the "hidden heroes" of the School—security, facilities, dining services, and health services—with the thanks they deserve.

How a virtual celebration of Diwali brought light into the Lower School.

Members of the Sidwell Friends class of 2020 now attending the University of Chicago nominated teachers who had a profound effect on their high school education.

How the Sidwell Friends Outdoors Club is encouraging students to leave their screens behind.

Vine discussed his new book, The United States of War: A Global History of America’s Endless Conflicts, from Columbus to the Islamic State, with Enid Logan ’90 and the Sidwell Friends community as part of the Conversation with Friends series.

Sidwell Friends 4th graders travel up Wisconsin Avenue to begin in-person classes on the DC campus. 

Thanks to the combined efforts of students at Sidwell Friends and Georgetown Day School, more than 200 young people are stepping in for older election workers.

How this year's Reunion was reimagined for the digital space.

There were still sports. There were still gatherings. And there was still crazy hair.

Sidwell Friends is pleased to announce that the Señora Guillermina Medrano de Supervía Endowed Faculty Chair for Spanish and Latin American Studies has been fully funded.

How Elson Bankoff ’23 started a documentary film project showcasing the lives of young people living in a locked-down world.

The Parents of Asian Students find a way to gather together—and cook together—for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Break out your spirit gear, brush up on your Sidwell Friends athletics trivia, and get ready to participate in a week of exciting activities.

See Hassinger's video "Birthright" and hear her speak about her work and its relationship to race, heritage, and inheritance. 

At a special assembly marking Hispanic Heritage Month, Lower School students were happy (and they knew it).

This fall, the District of Columbia Sports Athletic Association (DCSAA) inducted two former Sidwell Friends coaches—George Leftwich (football and basketball) and Sheila Weaver (volleyball)—into its Hall of Fame.

The author of How to Be an Antiracist discussed creating an anti-racist environment at the School. Parents, alumni, and all other members of the Sidwell Friends community are invited to continue the discussion this Wednesday

How can a rock, some seeds, and a candle bring Lower School students (and their parents) together for Meeting for Worship?

How one virtual hangout is helping a student-founded charity get soaps into the hands of those who need them. 

Howard University and Sidwell Friends School have formalized a partnership centered on transforming the civic dialogue about race, democracy, equity, and education among teachers and youth leaders.

At the Lower School supply pickup, students got more than textbooks.

Some are brand new, while some are returning in new positions. Meet some of our teachers and staff from the divisions.

As we approach a new school year, this philanthropic community continues to serve students and faculty as they maneuver through these uncertain times.

Art Among Friends: LIVE brought alumni together in a showcase of artistic talent.

On July 21, 2020, the Sidwell Friends Board of Trustees adopted the following Minute on Racial Justice. 

Bored? Learn how one student turned his restlessness into service.

Visit our Fall 2020 page often and throughout the summer to keep informed and updated on the latest plans.

How a traditional classroom activity got a virtual makeover—and the surprising benefits that resulted.

This summer, we welcome five new trustees: Cat Dawson ’04, Wayne A. I. Frederick, Ali Mohamadi ’94, Belinda Nixon, and Channing Paller ’97.

When Sidwell Friends science teachers had to leave their classrooms behind, they discovered more than they bargained for.

In a meeting with Perkins Eastman architects, students make the case for native plants.

With end-of-year performances cancelled, one Sidwell Friends senior found a way for students to showcase their talents while helping others.

How Sidwell Friends 5th graders used a "Water Walk" to build their understanding of life without clean water.

More than 1,100 faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni and friends expressed anger, grief, unity, and a need for social justice in the form of a silent protest.

The class of 2020 graduates with a special celebration honoring their unique, inspiring spirit.

The Lower School promotion celebrates our newest Middle Schoolers

A virtual promotion ceremony full of real-life joy.

Two students are working to help those on the front lines of the COVID-19 epidemic. Here's how you can help them help others.

Dismayed and grieving citizens are protesting the heinous murders of George Floyd, Amaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor in the District and around the nation, shaking us from our pandemic-focused stupor and reintroducing us to our nightmarish history of committing violence against people of color, a history that our nation and many of its historians have sought to bury under the notion of American exceptionalism.

How one seventh grader is using her talent—and business savvy—to provide handmade soaps to those in need.

Two Lower School students serve others through making sandwiches.

How weekly meetings keep a community together and stress levels low.

A Sidwell Friends eighth grader finds that serving people he'll never meet also helps him.

A special Meeting for Worship honored Kieran's life and memory.

Technology brings foreign language classes into students' homes—with some surprising benefits.

While the Newmyer Awards Dinner has been postponed, the School and the Newmyers could not wait to welcome the newest members.

Students, faculty, and staff gathered together virtually to share a variety of activities and experience to celebrate Founder's Day.

On Founder's Day, virtual Let Your Life Speak sessions connected alumni and students.

Lower School music teacher Matthew Stensrud creates ways to ensure his students can keep making music.

How some students turned the unexpected cancellation of competitions into an opportunity to use 3D printers to make masks for healthcare workers.

The coaches who knew the Villanova player remember him as an athlete that embodied the School's Quaker values.

How a special fabric lead to one student sewing masks for others.

How a classroom project taught physics, building skills, and Quaker decision-making.

How some Lower Schoolers brought a little bit of the classroom home.

Built on a shared love of math, a relationship between two students showcases the value of community.

Sidwell Friends School has been continually monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). After thoughtful deliberation, the School has decided to proactively transition to the Distance Learning Plan (DLP), effective Monday, March 16.

A course developed by two Lower School teachers uses a very tactile way to inspire students and staff to let their lives rock.

The Sidwell Friends winter teams found success on the court, on the mat, and in the pool.

How a Sidwell Friends senior founded OnSide, an organization that brings people together both on and off the field.

For one morning, Lower School students got to do whatever they wanted. How can time spent in unstructured play lead to a lifetime of learning?

The annual production asked three questions: What is American music? Where did it come from? And how did we get here?

The Sidwell Friends senior took home the title—and a lot more.

A student-proposed, hands-on class examines an imperfect science—and how it impacts the legal system.

The student performers of the Upper School Dance Ensemble performed on February 6 for their family, friends, and classmates. We are proud of their talent, dedication, and the community that supports them.

The Upper School EJC Day on January 31 featured keynote speaker Natalie Randolph '98, director of Equity Justice, and Community. The day featured wellness activities to promote mental health and student-led workshops to explore identity.

Lions are not typically vegetarians. With one notable exception: the lion that performed in front of the Sidwell Friends community during the Lunar New Year celebration on January 26. To help kick off the Year of the Rat, that lion enjoyed a hearty vegan meal.

Marissa Michel ’22 is the youngest person to be honored with the award and will serve as an ambassador for poetry across the county.

The School community joined together for workshops, stories, and opportunities to serve others.

Principal Mamadou Guèye explains how time outside the classroom contributes to success within it.

The Upper School Art Show launched on December 13 with a reception in the Rubenstein Gallery. Visitors were able to see the work of our talented students in photography, ceramics, drawing, and more.For more pictures of the event and the pieces on display, visit our SmugMug page. The show will be on display through February.

Sidwell Friends congratulates Daniel ’25, the school-wide winner of the annual geography competition. How did he do it? We can't tell you—yet.

The No Jons, the Swervos, the Boomers and Cyber Insecurities compete in the first competition of the season—and one team brings home the win.

How can a dog on a cleaning spree teach middle schoolers about poetry?

On Wednesday, the 2019 WNBA Champions Washington Mystics announced their winners for the Nike Game Growers program, Gianna '24 and Kendall '24.

As part of the latest Quaker Day, Upper School students showcased outfits representing their heritage in the second annual International Fashion Show. Come back next week for more photos and a story about the event. For new photos this week, visit our SmugMug page.

Kaylee Simon ’17, a toxicology student, visits Dr. Laura Barrosse-Antle’s new forensics class.

On Wednesday, December 4, all of the Middle School choirs joined to perform their winter concert; they reprised their performance for their peers at assembly on Friday, December 6. To see a schedule of upcoming artistic performances and presentations, click here.

The former Sidwell Friends parent spoke on her art, her technique, and how audiobooks fit into it all.

Hint: It's a lot.

On November 8-9 Middle School actors performed "Orphan Trains," the true story of the Orphan Trains Project, which from 1853-1929 joined immigrant orphans from New York City with adoptive parents throughout America. Congratulations to all who performed and supported this moving and timely play.

Students remember their ancestors—even ones they never met.

Astronauts, witches, and many, many Nationals players came together for the annual Lower School Halloween parade. The fun had to move indoors because of rain, but all of the students' dispositions remained sunny.

It's tournament time, and the Quakers are ready. Congratulations to the boys' cross country team for clinching the MAC championship yesterday! The girls' and boys' cross country, girls' and boys' soccer (pictured), volleyball and field hockey teams will continue to compete through early November (Photo by Susie Schaeffer). Go Quakers!

Eighth-grade tour guides are experts on the green technologies found throughout the Middle School. Reclaimed wine barrels, big windows, and the "Tanks of Doom" are all part of an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Well hello there, Star! Homecoming was an incredible weekend of food, fans, and a funny fox named Star. We welcomed alumni, families, friends, and shoppers alike. Congratulations to the six strong varsity athletic teams who competed and the incredible Next-to-New volunteer crew.

Students perform "The Land of Cockaigne" by David Ives during the Upper School One-Acts Festival this weekend. The three-scene play depicts one summer birthday party from three different perspectives. You can see the last two performances this play, as well as "English Made Simple" by David Ives and "Proof" by David Auburn, today at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; click here for tickets (or visit www.sidwell.edu/boxoffice). Note: Due to language and subject matter, the performances may not be suitable for all ages.

Drop Everything and Serve Day showcases the Lower School's commitment to community service.

Dozens of students took to the sidewalk to demand action on climate change.

Award-winning author talked about how food builds family, community, and history.

Middle Schoolers joined millions of people from across the globe in a student strike demanding action on climate change. The students, who gave up their 30-minute break to participate in the student-led protest, received honks of support from drivers on Wisconsin Avenue. Look for a longer story next week.

Lower School students and staff are always Quaker Strong!

Faculty and staff started the school year by helping design a new campus.

Luca White blows his mom a kiss and says “byeeee!” before speeding off. That’s a pretty typical thing for a two-year-old to do, but for Luca and the Sidwell Summer GoBabyGo! community service camp, it’s something special.