After years of planning and development, Sidwell began construction on the new Upper School in June 2024. Construction is slated to conclude in time for the 2026-2027 school year, while the renovation of the current Upper School building — The Harrison Building — for the Lower School is slated to conclude in 2029. The project will create new facilities and integrate the Lower School into the existing Upper and Middle School campuses.
According to Sidwell’s website, the new Upper School, using the land from the former Washington Home & Community Hospices nursing home, will include a new Fox Den, library and dining hall. Once that aspect of the project is completed, fundraising will begin for renovations on the Harrison building for the new Lower School.
Chief Communications Officer Bill Burger explained that Sidwell will build a new space for the Center for Ethical Leadership in the new Upper School, something Burger expects to help emphasize the Quaker SPICES and Thomas Sidwell’s original vision of moral teaching. Sidwell has shared plans to empower ethical leadership through ethics-based dialogue, internships and entrepreneurial opportunities. The space will also provide resources for affinity groups and community service projects.
According to the communications team, the new Upper School will include new classrooms, creating a new Science Center, Robotics Suite and Center for Teaching and Learning. The Center for Teaching and Learning will include a prototype classroom and provide opportunities for faculty education. The Science Center will include 11 science labs and three science courtyards.
Burger stated “[The Center for Teaching and Learning] will support cross-divisional collaboration and serve as our hub for transforming how we teach.”
Merging the two campuses allows for the three school divisions to interact, collaborate and learn from each other. The renovations will also be more practical for Lower School students to take advantage of the Washington campus’ resources, and for families with students on both campuses.
Beyond student life, Sidwell also hopes to see reduced operational costs. According to the communications team, Sidwell will save approximately $1.3 million annually, which will be seen in building maintenance, dining services, security, custodial services and transportation.
The communications team added that these factors will aid in Sidwell’s goals of sustainability, which plays a significant role in construction. 80 percent of the property’s existing structure will be reused rather than building a new campus, which will significantly reduce the project’s environmental impacts.
Furthermore, Sidwell has ensured that the construction of the new Upper School will minimize the effect on the surrounding population.
For any construction that will produce significant noise, Sidwell has established a working “schedule” determining when workers can and cannot work. There are also plans for modified traffic routes during periods of heavy construction that may disrupt local road traffic.
Acting on values of simplicity and stewardship, Sidwell plans to incorporate environmentally-conscious technologies into the structure, including geothermal wells for heating and solar panels for electricity.
Sidwell hopes to achieve LEED Gold certification with the help of these technologies. Additionally, they are exploring the possibility of reaching the WELL Building Institute’s Platinum certification.
Alongside improvements within the campus, the new renovations will leave a broader impact, said Burger. They will act as a foundation for sustainability, equality and growth within the Sidwell community.
