How religious is Sidwell?

[Anonymous]

Yes Sidwell is a religious Quaker school. Neither of us grew up raised in this tradition but we find it neither silly nor quant. Our early experience with the school and its religious values has been universally positive and we love that our children are being exposed to these values and instilled with its fundamental principles. In a modern western world so often devoid of centeredness and deep reflection, it’s a real standout.

It’s been the best part of being in the school (with almost no real observed downsides so far).

[Anonymous]

There is nothing about a $60,000 a year school that aligns with Quaker values.

[Anonymous]

They’re “liberal” religious, so they’re tolerated, as they pose no threat to the secular orthodoxy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does not impose anything. Go back spewing hate on the Catholic threads towards the public school kids. You know who you are

Do you actually have a child there? If your kid is in the hs, you'd know that there is mandatory Meeting for Worship. It definitely feels less"religious" than going to chapel at the Cathedral schools, but yes, your child will be attending the religious services of a religion that is likely not your own.

I think I know what religion you are (and it’s not Christian, just in case the Catholics freak out). You could learn a lot, like advance by several centuries, by emulating Quakers. Maybe even join us in the contemporary age

No holier than thou here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing about a $60,000 a year school that aligns with Quaker values.

Are you saying the school can't participate in the free market?

[Anonymous]

Very unclear what the subtext is here but two anecdotes: 1) in the lower school, Jewish students and families who want to meet weekly for a well attended group gathering for "ruach"; 2) over the past few weeks there have been large scale widely attended lunar new year celebrations at the lower school (actually an all school assembly) and upper school. To the extent the school is religious it basically feels secular mindful and Unitarian, and the student population is highly diverse all around. We've found it very welcoming and supportive after having been hesitant (including due to reading volumes of nonsense on DCUM).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very unclear what the subtext is here but two anecdotes: 1) in the lower school, Jewish students and families who want to meet weekly for a well attended group gathering for "ruach"; 2) over the past few weeks there have been large scale widely attended lunar new year celebrations at the lower school (actually an all school assembly) and upper school. To the extent the school is religious it basically feels secular mindful and Unitarian, and the student population is highly diverse all around. We've found it very welcoming and supportive after having been hesitant (including due to reading volumes of nonsense on DCUM).

Wrote the post a few responses up about it being a Quaker school at its core. But also very much agree with the thrust of this post. The children love the diversity of cultural celebrations (the dragons were a real hit).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing about a $60,000 a year school that aligns with Quaker values.

Are you saying the school can't participate in the free market?

No, I’m saying that at its core, the Quaker religion — like other peacekeeping religions — does not promote status and wealth and extravagance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been wondering about this question… I understand is it a Quaker school. So, would you consider the school as a religious one?

Yes technically. They even have moments of silence however from what I hear it is extremely welcoming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing about a $60,000 a year school that aligns with Quaker values.

There have been many wealthy Quakers throughout the years.

[Anonymous]

We have a child at SFS and we are not Quaker. My child finds it to be more spiritual versus religious….. more about how you treat people, how you treat the planet how you lead your life versus a catholic school which focuses more on God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing about a $60,000 a year school that aligns with Quaker values.

There have been many wealthy Quakers throughout the years.

+1. Taking a vow of poverty has never been a tenet of the Quaker faith. The 5 key Quaker beliefs are Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship (SPICES). Sidwell tries hard to embody and promote those values. You can do well and do good—those two things are not mutually exclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing about a $60,000 a year school that aligns with Quaker values.

And there was nothing about running Sidwell as a white-only school for most of its history that aligned with Quaker values either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does not impose anything. Go back spewing hate on the Catholic threads towards the public school kids. You know who you are

Do you actually have a child there? If your kid is in the hs, you'd know that there is mandatory Meeting for Worship. It definitely feels less"religious" than going to chapel at the Cathedral schools, but yes, your child will be attending the religious services of a religion that is likely not your own.

I think I know what religion you are (and it’s not Christian, just in case the Catholics freak out). You could learn a lot, like advance by several centuries, by emulating Quakers. Maybe even join us in the contemporary age



No holier than thou here.

I assume the poster repeatedly referencing PP's religion is implying something that's either antisemitic or anti-Muslim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing about a $60,000 a year school that aligns with Quaker values.

Are you saying the school can't participate in the free market?

No, I’m saying that at its core, the Quaker religion — like other peacekeeping religions — does not promote status and wealth and extravagance.

How does the school "promote status and wealth and extravagance"? That describes certain families, not the school.