“Eluceat omnibus lux” Let the light shine out from all. This is the motto of Sidwell Friends School. Founded in 1883 by Thomas W. Sidwell this Quaker school is located in Washington D.C. and Bethesda.
Sidwell Friends School started as a co-ed urban day school. Thomas Watson Sidwell was only 24 years old at the time. He had been a teacher at Baltimore Friends School. Eli Lamb, a leading Quaker educator, headed that school. Lamb helped Sidwell start his own school in Washington. He sponsored its authorization within the Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
Initially, Sidwell’s school had just 18 students. They met in rooms within the Friends Meeting House on I Street NW. Within 20 years, Sidwell’s School grew. It had primary, intermediate, and high school departments. Almost 200 students were enrolled. The I Street campus added several buildings. One of these was one of Washington’s first gymnasiums.
For many years, the school was simply known as “Friends.” Frances Haldeman joined the faculty in 1885-86. She taught Greek, English, and history. In 1887, Sidwell married Haldeman. She became co-principal. Together, the Sidwells led the school for the rest of their lives.
In 1911, the Sidwells bought property on Wisconsin Avenue NW. This was a move from an urban to a suburban setting. The property was a Dutch colonial house with grounds. Initially, it was the Sidwells’ private home. Soon, it became a place for I Street students to play sports and relax.
By the mid-1920s, the Wisconsin Avenue campus had a new building. It was called the Suburban School. Primary grades were housed there. It was said the timbers came from Woodrow Wilson’s inaugural viewing stand. Parts of the academic program moved from I Street to Wisconsin Avenue.
Frances Haldeman-Sidwell died in 1934. Thomas Sidwell then secured the school’s future. In 1934-35, Sidwell Friends School became a nonprofit. It was governed by a Board of Trustees. The bylaws said most members had to belong to the Religious Society of Friends.
When Sidwell died in 1936, the school was ready to be led by the trustees. Albert E. Rogers became Headmaster. Within two years, the I Street campus was sold. All operations moved to Wisconsin Avenue.
Sidwell Friends kept growing. In the 1960s, it bought the Longfellow School for Boys in Bethesda. Primary grades moved there for the 1963-64 school year. The Upper School building opened during the 1964-65 year.
Sidwell Friends has a strong commitment to sustainability. The Middle School renovation in 2006 was the start of green architecture. The renovated building became the first LEED Platinum K-12 school building in the world. An Athletic Center opened in 2010. It achieved LEED Gold certification. A Meeting House and Arts Center opened in 2011. It achieved LEED Platinum certification.
In 2017, the school bought the property to the north. This added six acres. It also brought the campus boundary to Upton Street. The school plans to move the Lower School back to D.C. The new Upper School building is expected to open for the 2026-27 school year.
Sidwell Friends is known for its diverse community. In 2019-20, 53 percent of students identified as people of color. The school continues to focus on diversity. It also evolves its curriculum. It teaches the history and impact of slavery.
Remember “Eluceat omnibus lux.” May the light continue to shine out from all at Sidwell Friends School.