Typically, most of these applicants seek admission to our lower grades, where the ratio of priority to nonpriority acceptances can be as high as 70 percent to 30 percent. Number of Students Admitted Space considerations are also very important to us. Because we generally receive at least six applications for each available place in Middle and Upper Schools, and seven or more applications for each available place in Lower School, we cannot accept every qualified applicant. New places for families who are not already a part of the Sidwell Friends School community are particularly limited in kindergarten and fifth grade. We share this information not to discourage you from applying, but to give you an honest sense of the challenges confronting the admissions committees.
New places become available through attrition and as class size increases.
You may submit an application between September 1 and January 12 for the 2001-02 school year. We encourage all families to begin this process early. Generally, applications received after January 12 are returned, unless it becomes apparent that new spaces are opening up. If this presents a financial hardship for you, please contact our Admissions Office to discuss the possibility of a fee reduction or waiver. More information about financial aid can be found on page 10.