Sidwell vs. other Quaker schools?

[Anonymous]

What is the difference between Sidwell and Sandy Spring Friends School and/or Friends community school (besides the "big 3" status and price)?

[Anonymous]

What's the point of seeking out a Quaker school? It seems that most people choose Sidwell despite its Quaker roots and NCS/STA despite their Episcopal roots.

[Anonymous]

What's the point of seeking out a Quaker school? It seems that most people choose Sidwell despite its Quaker roots and NCS/STA despite their Episcopal roots.

Maybe PP's Quakerism is the point. Maybe PP is not "most people."

[Anonymous]

Sidwell would have a lot of facilities, programs, etc. that Friends Community School does not have.

Friends Community School is more Quaker. Children who go there are more immersed in the Friends outlook on life, human interaction, etc. They experience the Friends approach to life everyday at school. Children from Friends Community School who go on to Sidwell are often surprised by how "nonQuaker" Sidwell is.

Most of the kids at Friends Community School are not Quaker, so if you are not Quaker, you would not be alone!!

The Friends Community School admissions person could talk to you more about these issues (as I assume admissions people at Sidwell could).

[Anonymous]

PP here - I know less about Sandy Spring Friends, so I did not comment on it.

[Anonymous]

OP here....I like the Quaker values and philosophy, and the fact that is is not very religious (we are not a Quaker family)...looking for a school that is down to earth, accepting of diversity, non-pretensious, with a good balance of academics and creativity. I just wanted to know how Sidwell compares to other area Quaker schools such as Sandy Spring Friends School or Friends community School, in terms of atmosphere, academics, demographics/diversity, and overall openess to a non-traditional, non-wealthy, non-christian family.

[Anonymous]

The Quakers I know roll their eyes when the subject of Sidwell comes up. I get the distinct impression that they do not consider the school true to Quaker values -- despite all the talk.

[Anonymous]

Money sometimes clouds all values!

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

I have heard Sidwell described as a place where Protestants teach Jews to be good Quakers. Mind you, I am a Jew that went to a Quaker college, so I am not opposed to that in concept!

[Anonymous]

I heard thatr there are many snobs there....not a quaker value!

[Anonymous]

I'm Quaker, and have a child at Sidwell. I also know Sandy Spring pretty well, but don't know Friends Community School at all.

I wouldn't consider Sidwell to be untrue to Quaker values, but at times they're working with a tough audience. They certainly value the idea of "that of God in every person", and encourage kids to think that way. As an institution they believe in the peace testimony, which informs some choices within the curriculum, assemblies, speakers, etc. They have put a lot of emphasis in the recent past on environmental stewardship, and this is also incorporated into the curriculum. The kids go to Meeting for Worship weekly, and begin each day and many classes with silence. The school uses Queries as one way to get kids to examine their own values and assumptions. They teach a sprinkling of Quaker history and belief. They walk a reasonable line between equality and deference to authority (concretely, teachers choose whether they prefer first name or honorific).

At the same time, the school's academics are rigorous, especially in the upper grades. I've never thought this to be antithetical to Quaker values, as long as you're mindful of how you get there, but I know some will disagree. Also, while many families are drawn to Sidwell because of the values, others are drawn by the academics, the reputation, etc, and there are certainly kids who are more attuned to status symbols than the school would like. I do see the school trying to combat this, but it's neither simple nor easy.

So, kids from diverse backgrounds are certainly welcome, liked, included, valued. The school tries very hard to make sure that no child is left out of anything because of financial concerns (there is money available for trips, clubs, etc). As kids get older, on the other hand, they can't help but be aware that other students have/spend more money than they do. This is true of my child - it hasn't hampered his success, but I know he notices. We talk about family resources, and about family values.

At Sandy Spring, I think the implementation of Quakerism is reasonably similar. There are fewer extremely wealthy families. The academics are excellent, but perhaps not quite as challenging at the high end and more manageable for kids who are bright but not academic superstars. The campus is huge and lovely, and the facilities very nice - like Sidwell, some buildings are older, some are newer. It's a schlep from DC, and Sidwell is a schlep from upper Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

17:27's description of Sidwell (pros and cons) is spot on.

[Anonymous]

I am an alum of Sandy Spring and keep tabs on what is going on there now and would agree with 17:27's assessment. I would just add that SSFS has an earthy crunchy/hippie history and is a little more laid back than Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

I have three children at Sandy Spring Friends School and find that the school works to know and educate the individual child. It is a Quaker school, but I really appreciate the diversity that the school offers. My children are in class with children of all ethnicities, religions, races, socio-economic levels, etc. The school is academically rigorous, but wants to know and cultivate the individual child's strengths. The school also takes advantage of its beautiful 140 acre campus. For families who are in Montgomery or Howard County, I recommend coming and taking a tour.