While Sidwell touts its status as a Quaker school and takes pride in its devotion to the tenets of Quakerism, the school remains largely nonreligious and open to students practicing, or not practicing, whatever religion they like. 

Fulfilling the Quaker tenet of integrity, Sidwell implements a strict honor code to ensure that all students maintain academic honesty during their time there. Although the honor code may seem overbearing, its clear adherence to the Quaker value of integrity guarantees that students are prepared for similar expectations in higher education. Therefore, the academic side of Quakerism reflected in Sidwell’s honor code is extremely beneficial to students and displays the school’s connection to its Quaker values.

Additionally, the school heavily values community involvement in all its activities, emphasizing the importance of community and stewardship. By requiring students to complete at least 60 service hours to help the community, Sidwell proves that bettering the community is at the core of its beliefs. Another aspect of community service that Sidwell includes in its programming is Ninth Grade Studies, a class that teaches students about the value of community and sets them up for success in future service. By doing this, Sidwell proves its commitment to emphasizing Quakerism both inside and outside of the classroom.

Reflecting the Quaker tenet of equality, Sidwell prioritizes equality of opportunity through its financial aid program, which applies not only to school tuition but also to various school-promoted extracurricular activities such as clubs and trips. Aiming to ensure that all students are able to access Sidwell’s wide array of opportunities without a financial burden, the school proves its dedication to the Quaker value of equality.

Furthermore, Sidwell attempts to instill a sense of stewardship in its student body, which definitively betters students’ character and makes them kinder individuals. By reminding students to always consider their surroundings when doing activities such as working on a group project, eating in the cafeteria and sitting outside, the school teaches students to be better community members and Sidwell citizens, act as stewards of the community and care for their environment.

Lastly, continuous Quaker traditions throughout the year help introduce students to Quakerism while maintaining their individuality. Meetings for Worship, a core aspect of all Quaker schools, directly represent the Quakerism ideology as they provide a place for students to connect with their inner lights. However, Sidwell makes sure to refrain from turning Meeting for Worship into a highly religious space, never using religious queries or imploring students only to consider a specific spirit while participating in meetings. Instead, students are free to ponder the query or practice any religion, if they so choose, during meetings, leaving the space completely open. 

Overall, Sidwell’s adherence to Quaker values benefits its students. They emphasize the Quaker tenets of integrity, stewardship, equality and community. Through this, Sidwell has distinguished itself as a Quaker school in the classroom, Meeting for Worship, community service and many other spaces.