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Sidwell Friends School is as pleasant as it sounds. Boasting a lovely campus in Washington D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland, the school welcomes all students who thirst for knowledge and want to learn more about the real world. Though there are many fine international schools in Washington D.C., the Sidwell Friends School stands out with its high-quality education, openness to accept international students and impressive alumni. Countless Presidential children have attended school here, specifically when their parents were in office. That alone should tell you how prestigious this school truly is.
Source: Sidwell Friends School Facebook Page
History of Sidwell Friends School
Thomas W. Sidwell founded the Sidwell Friends School in 1883. He first named it the 'Friends' Select School' and set it on I Street in Downtown
Washington D.C., only a hop and a skip away from the White House. By 1911, Sidwell had begun purchasing property on Wisconsin Avenue, expanding the school further and, in 1925, added a kindergarten. At that point, the institution became the first K-12 school in the American capital. Another milestone was 1964, when the Sidwell Friends School became racially integrated, and from then on, the school came to be known as among the most diverse in the city.
What is Sidwell Friends School's Campus Like?
Sidwell Friends School boasts a beautiful campus along Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, one of
Washington D.C.'s central neighborhoods. This is where you'll find the middle and upper school, which also houses many of the school's impressive facilities. They include the Richard Walter Goldman Memorial Library, the Kogod Center for the Arts, the Zartman House administration building, and more. The kindergarten and primary school, on the other hand, is Bethesda, Maryland. Though it's a fair distance away from central D.C., it's still near enough that families in the city can easily send their kids to school there.
Source: Sidwell Friends School Facebook Page
The Sidwell Friends School Student Body
Sidwell Friends School started as a small school with only 11 students in its early days. Today, it's become one of the biggest international schools in Washington D.C. and, perhaps, all of the East Coast. The school welcomes over 1,100 students per year, including both new applicants and returning enrollees who have yet to graduate. Spread throughout kindergarten to senior high school, this student body varies in age, gender, and race. To break the latter down even further, Sidwell Friends School has about 52.3% white students, 15.8% multiracial students, 15% black and African-American students, 8.1% Asian students, and 6% Hispanic students.
What is Sidwell Friends School's Curriculum?
Sidwell Friends School has honed its own intricate educational program that has helped it remain one of the top schools in the city. All students must acquire at least 20 credits before graduating, including around four years of English, three years of Mathematics, three years of History, two years of at least one Foreign Language, two years of Science, and two years of Art. And though it's not a college-preparatory school, Sidwell's focus on academics practically make it one. At the same time, the school still encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities too, allowing for a more multi-dimensional scholastic experience.
Source: Sidwell Friends School Facebook Page
How Much Does It Cost to Study at Sidwell Friends School?
To say that the Sidwell Friends School is expensive is a huge understatement. Remember that this is the same school where presidential kids attended, from the Clintons to the Obamas and beyond. It makes sense that sending your kids here too would cost a fortune. How much is it, exactly? Its tuition fees range from $51,410.00 (pre-K) to $57,620.00 (Upper School) per year. These are the highest prices for tuition fees among the top schools in Washington D.C. and beyond. On top of all that, there are also some additional fees too. They include school text books ($500.00 to $700.00), shuttle services ($1,550 for one-way trips/ $3,000.00 for round trips), and more.
Where is Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C.?
As already mentioned, Sidwell Friends School's D.C. campus is along Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown. The area itself is best known for the elite university of the same name, not to mention its proximity to the White House and other iconic tourist attractions in the American capital. But while Georgetown maintains a nice balance between a residential neighborhood and a lively commercial district, the area surrounding the school is quieter. Some nearby places are practically the city suburbs, complete with some of the finest
luxury homes in Washington D.C. for rent. So you're better off settling down near the campus.
Source: Sidwell Friends School Facebook Page
The mere fact that Presidential kids have studied in the Sidwell Friends School further proves that it's one of the finest international schools in Washington D.C. and beyond. No other academic institution can boast such a feat.
