Siblings may be given a slight advantage, but it by no means guarantees admission. If it is your top choice, I would apply.

From the school’s website:

“The application for non-entry grades will open on Monday, December 1, 2025. Should there be openings due to attrition at the time of re-enrollment, we will review completed files and contact families to schedule their group visit and assessments.”

https://www.sidwell.edu/admissions/how-to-apply

So yes, potentially you’d stand to lose a deposit at another school before you might hear from Sidwell.

Anonymous wrote:worth it, there are occasional openings in non-entry year, and if your child is a strong candidate then even if there is no spot that year it could help if you reapply for an entry year. our kids were there 4-12, there was at least one new kid i think in every non entry year

But if there is only one spot, it is very likely to go to a sibling?

Anonymous wrote:Contact admissions to get details on the application process for 5th. I don’t think they even review the apps for non entry yrs until May/June if they even have a spot & don’t do assessments and/or interviews until then either. If true, it’s low effort to start an application.

For Sidwell non-entry year applications: does one have to either already accept another school with a contract fee in March or give up a tuition if willing to accept a spot after June 1st?
Doesn't seem very plausible, though the odds are tiny, too. When is the current family's contract due at Sidwell?

worth it, there are occasional openings in non-entry year, and if your child is a strong candidate then even if there is no spot that year it could help if you reapply for an entry year. our kids were there 4-12, there was at least one new kid i think in every non entry year

I would definitely apply if this is where you want your kid to go long term. It just may work out!

Given the broader economy and RIFs of federal employees, the chances of attrition to open a spot for your kid is fairly decent.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Like many people it took me a while to realize how true this is.

Since you were waitlisted, it can’t hurt to apply to show continued interest. Plus I would imagine they don’t get as many applications so if a spot does open up, and it could- people move out of the area- then you may actually have better odds of getting it.

Contact admissions to get details on the application process for 5th. I don’t think they even review the apps for non entry yrs until May/June if they even have a spot & don’t do assessments and/or interviews until then either. If true, it’s low effort to start an application.

Sure. It will show continued interest which helps at the next entry year.

What kind of school are you in now? It's likely not good for your child to apply out again with such low odds of acceptance, and then apply out a third year in a row. That makes it difficult for her to enjoy and make friendships where she is. This is especially true if she's at a school that ends after 5th grade.

When you apply for 6th grade, apply widely -- Sidwell isn't that unique.

Not an existing family so no sibling preference.

Sidwell is our top choice school for our daughter. We were wait listed last year as 4th grade (entry year) applicants. We planned to apply next year as 6th grade applicants which would be the next entry year. I now see on their website they will accept 5th grade (non entry year) applications starting in December and then see if there are spots available if any existing students are leaving in the spring.

Seems to me there isn't much use in applying this year since 1) almost no one leaves, 2) siblings of existing students would have preference, 3) we don't love her current teachers and feel they may not write glowing recommendations, 4) it's a big lift for our child to go through the stress of visit days, interviews etc. But at the same time I would expect there is some value in showing continued and sustained interest in the school as we prep for next year's application.

Any thoughts on if it's worth applying this year? Instead would a letter to the admissions office expressing our interest and explaining we plan to apply next year make sense?