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Average

#18 of 46 private schools in DC

Top 37% of private schools

Sidwell Friends School

School

3825 WISCONSIN AVE NW, Washington, DC 20016

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 217 schools in Washington. Learn more

Enrollment

1,120

Student-Teacher

8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Washington

#18 of 45

public schools

District of Columbia schools

#4 of 10

About Sidwell Friends School

Sidwell Friends School is a regular public school serving preschool through twelfth grade in Washington, D.C., with an enrollment of 1,120 students. Located on Wisconsin Avenue NW in the nation's capital, the school offers a comprehensive educational experience spanning early childhood through secondary education. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, supported by 140 full-time equivalent teachers.

This relatively low ratio suggests opportunities for more individualized attention and classroom interaction compared to larger institutions. Academically, Sidwell Friends ranks #15 out of 46 schools in the District of Columbia, placing it in the 70th percentile statewide. The school is working to strengthen its academic performance and student outcomes as part of its ongoing development.

As a large-city school, Sidwell Friends benefits from Washington, D.C.'s urban resources and diverse community. The location provides students access to the capital's cultural institutions, educational opportunities, and dynamic environment. For families considering Sidwell Friends, the school's established presence in D.C. and focus on serving students across all grade levels may appeal to those seeking a comprehensive, neighborhood-based educational option in the District.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Sidwell Friends School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Sidwell Friends School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Sidwell Friends School compares to 241 public schools serving similar grades in Washington, DC

Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
This School
vs
11.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
1,120
This School
vs
385
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.7
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 42.5% vs 0%
Asian 17.2% vs 0%
Black 14.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 6% vs 0%
Sidwell Friends School Washington Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Sidwell Friends School (this school) 6.7
Hearst ES 9.3
Eaton ES 7.6
Janney ES 8.7
Jackson-Reed HS 7.3
Mann ES 7.8
Deal MS 7.5
Murch ES 6.9
Stoddert ES 7.3
Oyster-Adams Bilingual School 7.8
Key ES 8.7
Hardy MS 7.6
Duke Ellington School of the Arts 7.3
Bancroft ES 5.7
Lafayette ES 7.3
H.D. Cooke ES 3.5
Columbia Heights Education Campus 7.4
Hyde-Addison ES 8.0
Marie Reed ES 6.9
Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS 7.9
Powell ES 6.4

Showing 20 of 241 schools. View all schools in Washington

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in DC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,275
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 73%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 1,120
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in DC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 42.5%
Two or More 19.9%
Asian 17.2%
Black 14.4%
Hispanic 6.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3825 WISCONSIN AVE NW, Washington, DC 20016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sidwell Friends School may also want to explore other schools in the area. WHITTLE SCHOOL & STUDIOS (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WHITTLE SCHOOL AND STUDIOS (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MARET SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Hearst ES Washington 0.1 mi 9.3
NATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL Washington 0.5 mi 6.2
SHERIDAN SCHOOL Washington 0.6 mi 7.0
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Washington 0.7 mi 7.5
WHITTLE SCHOOL & STUDIOS Washington 0.5 mi 8.4
WHITTLE SCHOOL AND STUDIOS Washington 0.5 mi 8.4
Eaton ES Washington 0.6 mi 7.6
Janney ES Washington 0.7 mi 8.7
Jackson-Reed HS Washington 0.8 mi 7.3
FRANKLIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Washington 0.7 mi
EDMUND BURKE SCHOOL Washington 0.7 mi 7.3
Deal MS Washington 0.9 mi 7.5
Murch ES Washington 0.9 mi 6.9
Mann ES Washington 0.8 mi 7.8
WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Washington 0.9 mi 6.6
GEORGETOWN DAY SCHOOL Washington 1.0 mi 6.5
Stoddert ES Washington 1.2 mi 7.3
MARET SCHOOL Washington 1.1 mi 8.2
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CHEVY CHASE Washington 1.4 mi
AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Washington 1.3 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$179,107

Median Home Value

$1,206,200

Median Rent

$2,105/mo

Population

31,668

College Educated

87.8%

Homeownership

64.6%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.1%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sidwell Friends School has a median household income of $179,107. It is a well-educated community where 88% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,206,200, with a median rent of $2,105/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Washington, DC 6.6
GEORGETOWN DAY SCHOOL Washington, DC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sidwell Friends School

What grades does Sidwell Friends School serve?

Sidwell Friends School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Sidwell Friends School?

Sidwell Friends School has an enrollment of approximately 1,120 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sidwell Friends School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sidwell Friends School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sidwell Friends School rank in DC?

Sidwell Friends School is ranked #18 out of 46 private schools in DC.

What is Sidwell Friends School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sidwell Friends School has a composite rating of 6.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Sidwell Friends School a private school?

Yes, Sidwell Friends School is a private coeducational school with a Friends (Quaker) affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sidwell Friends School a religious school?

Sidwell Friends School has a Friends (Quaker) religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
67 Good Transit
Bike Score
67 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,514/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Washington). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
1,120
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Teachers (FTE)
140
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Friends (Quaker)
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
170 days
Setting
Large City
County
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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