Summer Studies (Grades 2-12)
sessions range: 1-week - 6-week various times $350-$2,800
Sidwell Summer Studies offers both credit and non-credit programming in a range of academic areas. These offerings take place on the school’s DC campus.
Credit Courses:
All credit courses meet Sidwell Friends School requirements for a credit-bearing course. Credit courses can be taken by high-performing students who want to accelerate their academic work. In 2025, credit courses (Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, Statistics, and U.S. History) will meet for 3.75 hours/day for six weeks. Each of these classes is considered the equivalent of a full-year course, with courses divided into two three-week semesters. Students who wish to receive credit should confirm that their school will accept the course for credit. Students taking a course for credit cannot miss more than two days of class.
Non-Sidwell students can choose to audit a credit course; Sidwell students must enroll for credit.
Non-Credit Courses:
Sidwell Summer Studies offers a variety of non-credit and review courses that allow students to brush up on academic skills, further develop writing or math foundations, and explore new interests.
Absences: If a student will be absent, please call the Summer Office (202-537-8133) and email summer@sidwell.edu and rubenm@sidwell.edu by 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the absence. Students taking a course for credit may not miss more than two days of class in order to remain eligible to receive credit.
Campus: Students must be registered for a Sidwell Summer program in order to be on campus.
Conduct: Students are expected to uphold the traditions of an academic community in which all members accept responsibility for doing their own work and giving credit to sources that they use. They are expected to respect the Sidwell Friends Honor Code, which reads as follows:
Personal integrity and academic honesty are fundamental principles that must be upheld by all members of the Sidwell Friends community in order to create an atmosphere in which trust, scholarship, and friendship may flourish. These principles are in accord with Quaker notions of common decency and respect for the rights and feelings of others.
Students are expected to be in compliance at all times with generally accepted standards of behavior. Stealing, damaging, or destroying the property of any member of the school community, or the school itself, will not be tolerated. Students who are found to be responsible for such actions will be liable for the cost of repairing or replacing the items involved and will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include expulsion from the program. If expulsion occurs, tuition will not be refunded.
Financial Aid: Financial aid may be available for select programs. Sidwell Friends School students who receive financial aid during the regular school year and have been referred for summer support should register using the provided discount code. For students who do not receive aid during the year, please see the Summer Programs sponsorship application.
Reports: Summer Studies sends midterm and final reports in for-credit courses to parents/guardians and, upon request (at the completion of the course), to schools.
Summer Studies questions should be directed to Marina Ruben at rubenm@sidwell.edu.
Registration for all courses must be completed using the online registration system.
Summer 2026 Offerings
*Full program descriptions are listed below the grid.
| 2026 Dates | Program *Descriptions below | Rising Grades | Time |
| June 15 - 18 (*4-day week, no programming on June 19) | College Application Essay Writing | 12th | 12:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. |
| June 22 - 26 | Algebra 2 (6-week class; ends July 25) | 8th - 11th | 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
| College Application Essay Writing | 12th | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | |
| Geometry (6-week class; ends July 31) | 8th - 11th | 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | |
| Mindfulness for Better Learning | 9th - 10th | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | |
| PreCalculus (6-week class; ends July 31) | 10th - 12th | 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | |
| Reading Foundations | 2nd | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | |
| SAT Prep - Math | 11th - 12th | 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | |
| SAT Prep - Reading & Writing | 11th - 12th | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | |
| Spelling & Writing Skills | 4th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | |
| US History (6-week class; ends July 31) | 11th - 12th | 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | |
| June 29 - July 2 (*4-day week, no programming July 3) | SAT Prep - Math | 11th - 12th | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. |
| SAT Prep - Reading & Writing | 11th - 12th | 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | |
| July 6 - 10 | STEP | 6th - 9th | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| July 13 - 17 | Algebra Fundamentals (3-week class; ends July 31) | 8th - 11th | 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Close Reading | 9th - 11th | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | |
| Essay Planning | 9th - 11th | 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | |
| Grammar Review | 5th - 7th | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | |
| Math Minds- Addition & Subtraction | 2nd | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | |
| Math Minds- Multiplication & Division | 3rd - 4th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | |
| STEP | 6th - 9th | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |
| July 20 - 24 | Close Reading | 9th - 11th | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. |
| Essay Planning - AM Only | 9th - 11th | 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | |
| Grammar Review | 8th - 9th | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | |
| Math Minds- Addition & Subtraction | 3rd | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | |
| Math Minds- Fractions | 3rd - 4th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | |
| STEP | 6th - 9th | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |
| July 27 - 31 | Close Reading + Argument-Based Writing | 7th - 8th | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. |
| STEP | 6th - 9th | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |
Algebra Fundamentals
Non-Credit Course: Taught by a Sidwell Friends Upper School Math teacher, Algebra Fundamentals is open to students who have completed Algebra 1 and would benefit from review of fundamental concepts before taking Geometry or Algebra 2. Topics will include linear equations and systems, quadratics, rational functions, roots, and exponents. Problem-solving and proper writing of math will be emphasized. Students must be able and willing to manage time effectively to complete problem sets and assessments.
Materials: Graphing calculator or laptop
Grade Requirement: Rising 8th - 11th graders
Dates and Times: July 13 - 31 (3 weeks), 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Tuition: $1,600
Algebra 2
Credit Course: In Algebra 2, students study the algebraic properties and graphs of real-valued functions and specific skills needed for working with applications. Previous work with linear relationships and systems is expanded, and, in addition, students study direct and inverse variation, quadratic and higher degree polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, inverses of functions, conic sections, and basic probability and data interpretation. Prerequisite: Algebra 1.
Grade Requirement: Rising 8th - 11th graders
Dates & Times: June 22 - July 31 (6 weeks), 8:30 am - 12:15 pm
*No class Friday, July 3
Tuition: $2,800
Close Reading
Non-Credit Course: In this one-week workshop, taught by a Sidwell Friends School Upper School English teacher, students will practice the close analysis of literary texts. Using short stories, poetry, and excerpts from novels and literary nonfiction, students will identify and discuss the crafting of literature. Among other factors, they will examine diction, syntax, tone, figurative language, juxtaposition, motifs, and themes. Students will also complete short writing exercises designed to provide them with the chance to make their own deliberate, varied use of literary devices.
Grade Requirement: Rising 9th - 11th graders
Date & Time:
Session I: July 13 - 17, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Session II: July 20 - 24, 9:30 am - 11:30 amTuition: $650/session
Close Reading and Argument-Based Writing
Non-Credit Course: In this one-week workshop, taught by a Sidwell Friends Middle School English teacher, rising 7th and 8th graders will review the basics of close reading and argument-based writing. Using short stories, poetry, and excerpts from novels and literary nonfiction, students will identify and discuss the crafting of literature. Among other factors, they will examine diction, syntax, tone, figurative language, juxtaposition, motifs, and themes. Students will also complete short writing exercises designed to provide them with the chance to make their own deliberate, varied use of literary devices. They will learn a structured, step-by-step process designed to yield a thesis-driven, five-paragraph essay, and they will practice writing evidence-based body paragraphs. As part of that process, students will read a prompt, review and annotate texts, create a rough central claim, find relevant supporting quotes, develop an outline, and finalize topic sentences and a thesis statement.
Grade Requirement: Rising 7th - 8th graders
Dates & Times: July 27 - 31, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Tuition: $650
College Application Essay Writing
Non-Credit Course: This one-week workshop, taught by a Sidwell Friends School Upper School English teacher, will focus on helping each student develop a Common Application personal essay. Daily activities will include brainstorming topics and critiquing sample essays. Students will begin to draft their own essays and will receive multiple rounds of detailed feedback on their planning and drafts via shared Google Docs. (Students will need access to a personal laptop for this course.)
Grade Requirement: Rising 12th graders
Dates & Times:
Session I: June 15 - 18 *4-day week, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm
Session II: June 22 - 26, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Tuition: Session I - $520 / Session II - $650
Essay Planning
Non-Credit Course: In this one-week workshop, taught by a Sidwell Friends School Upper School English teacher, students will engage in essay planning by following a structured, step-by-step process designed to yield a thesis-driven, five-paragraph essay. They will read a prompt, review and annotate texts, create a rough central claim, find relevant supporting quotes, develop an outline, and finalize topic sentences and a thesis statement. (Students will need access to a personal laptop for this course.)
Grade Requirement: Rising 9th - 11th graders
Dates & Times:
Session I: July 13 - 17, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Session II: July 20 - 24, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pmTuition: $650/session
Geometry
Credit Course: Geometry covers Euclidean plane and solid geometry. In this for-credit course, taught by a Sidwell Friends Upper School Math teacher, emphasis is on orderly and logical thinking, on the ability to develop a sound, precise, logical argument, and on the theoretical derivation and practical application of theorems and propositions. Proof is an integral part of the course. Specific topics in geometry include line segments, lines, rays, planes, congruence, triangles, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, inequalities, perpendicular and parallel lines, similarity, and circles, including tangent and secant lines and chords. Throughout the year, algebra review is a regular aspect of class work. Coordinate geometry is used both as a way to introduce and provide a different perspective on geometric topics and also as one way in which topics of Algebra 1 will be thoroughly reviewed. Additionally, basic constructions are introduced, and right triangle trigonometry is covered.
Grade Requirement: Rising 8th - 11th graders
Dates & Times: June 22 - July 31 (6 weeks), 9:30 am - 1:15 pm
*No class July 3
Tuition: $2,800
Grammar Review
Non-credit course
Rising Grades 5-7: Parts of speech, commas, and apostrophes, oh my! Unlock the power within these building blocks of language through engaging activities, games, and stories. Taught by a Sidwell Friends Middle School English teacher, this one-week workshop is designed to be both a review for students who are familiar with these concepts and an introduction for those who have not yet learned them. It will use an invitational model of grammar instruction, popular literature, and games to engage students in an accessible and empowering overview of foundational grammar concepts.
Rising 8-9: Taught by a Sidwell Friends Middle School English teacher, this one-week workshop will use an invitational model of grammar instruction, popular literature, and games to engage students in integrating comma and apostrophe patterns into their own writing. The workshop will also include a review of parts of speech, parts of a sentence, and active and passive voice, and it will introduce students to sentence diagramming. This accessible overview of foundational grammar concepts is designed to boost students’ grammar skills in preparation for high school.
Grade Requirement: Rising 5th - 9th graders
Dates & Times:
Session I: (5th - 7th grades) July 13 - 17, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Session II: (8th + 9th grades) July 20 - 24, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Tuition: $650/session
History of the United States
Credit course: Taught by a Sidwell Friends Upper School History teacher, this year-long course equivalent offers a survey of U.S. history from the 1500s (Indigenous history pre-colonization) to the 21st century. The class places emphasis on social, economic, political, and cultural events that have shaped the nation’s development. A research paper on a topic of the student’s choice is a key component of the course, and considerable class time is devoted to the analysis of primary source materials. Course requirements also include take-home essays, presentations, unit tests, and semester exams.
Grade Requirement: Rising 11th - 12th graders; open to SFS students (with the permission of the Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs) who have spent or will spend at least one semester of junior year away from campus; open to non-SFS students who are prepared for a fast-paced, rigorous summer course
Dates & Times: June 22 - July 31 (6 weeks) - 8:30 am - 12:15 pm
*No class July 3
Tuition: $2,800
Math Minds
Non-credit course: Does your child need extra support in math? Our AM-only skill-building math workshops are designed for students who would benefit from reviewing key math concepts in a fun and encouraging setting. Led by Sidwell Friends Lower School teachers, these week-long camps provide a nurturing environment where children can strengthen their math skills and boost their confidence. Through engaging activities, interactive games, and guided practice, campers will revisit foundational math topics.
Grade Requirement: Rising 2nd - 5th graders
Dates & Times:
Session I: Addition and Subtraction (2nd grade), July 13 - 17, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Session II: Addition and Subtraction (3rd grade), July 20 - 24, 9:00 am - 12:00 pmSession III: Multiplication and Division (4th grade), July 13 - 17, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Session IV: Fractions (4th - 5th grades), July 20 - 24, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tuition: $650/session
Mindfulness for Better Learning
Non-credit course: In this one-week workshop, taught by a Sidwell Friends School-affiliated school psychologist, students will acquire the art and skills of being an effective student. By combining mindfulness strategies such as noticing, pausing, and non-judgment with executive functioning skills, students will learn to become more successful in their personal and academic pursuits. Through this interactive and experiential course, students will practice a range of organizational and learning strategies to approach personal and academic goals. The course will teach foundational organizational skills and offer a toolbox of concrete strategies linked to academic success, including active reading, note-taking, prioritization, and self-advocacy.
Grade Requirement: Rising 9th and 10th graders
Dates & Times: June 22 - June 26, 9:30 am - 11: 30 am
Tuition: $600.00
Precalculus
Credit Course: In this for-credit class, taught by a Sidwell Friends Upper School Math teacher, students study polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, and inverse trigonometric functions. Polar functions and their graphs are examined in the second semester as are basic probability and statistics. Graphing techniques and applications are emphasized, and graphing calculators are used throughout the course. The study of trigonometry includes the graphs of trigonometric functions and their inverses, the Laws of Sines and Cosines, equations, identities, multiple-angle formulas and radian measure. Prerequisite: Algebra 2.
Grade Requirement: Rising 10th - 12th graders
Dates & Times: June 22 - July 31 (6 weeks), 8:30 am - 12:15 pm
*No class July 3
Tuition: $2,800
Reading Foundations
Non-credit course: Is your child looking for a fun and focused review of first grade reading skills? This week-long morning camp is designed for rising second graders to reinforce foundational literacy concepts from their first-grade year. Led by a Sidwell Friends Lower School teacher, campers will spend the week improving word recognition, building reading fluency, and practicing spelling patterns. Students will receive a balance of explicit instruction, immediate feedback, and opportunities for games and hands-on learning activities with partners. This camp is perfect for students looking to maintain and sharpen literacy skills over the summer months.
Grade Requirement: Rising 2nd graders
Dates & Times: June 22 - 26, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuition: $650/session
SAT Prep
Non-credit course: In these week-long workshops, taught by an Upper School Math teacher with professional standardized test prep teaching experience, students will receive instruction in the testing and problem-solving strategies relevant to the Reading & Writing and Math sections of the SAT. They will complete practice problems during class and receive targeted feedback throughout the week. Note: Content will repeat, so students should enroll in a maximum of one Reading & Writing session and one Math session.
Grade Requirement: Rising 10th - 12th graders
Dates & Times:
Reading & Writing SAT Prep:
Session I: June 22 - 26, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Session II: June 29 - July 2 (4-day week); 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Math SAT Prep:
Session I: June 22 - 26, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Session II: June 29 - July 2 (4-day week); 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Tuition: $650.00
Spelling and Writing Skills
Non-credit course: Give your child a confident start to fourth grade! Taught by Sidwell Friends Lower School’s Learning Specialist, this week-long morning camp focuses on building strong spelling and writing foundations through fun, interactive activities. Campers will review and build understanding of essential spelling rules and patterns while learning to craft clear, well-organized paragraphs. Through games, group work, and creative exercises, students will also practice expository writing—learning to introduce a topic, support it with facts and details, and wrap it up with a strong conclusion. Your rising fourth grader will leave camp feeling prepared and excited to tackle the writing ahead!
Grade Requirement: Rising 4th graders
Dates & Times: June 22 - 26, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tuition: $650
STEP (Summer STudies Enrichment Program)
Non-Credit Course: STEP offers students entering Grades 6-9 the chance to explore enriching topics in one-week sessions taught by school-year Sidwell Friends School teachers and outside professionals and supported by counselors who share campers’ passion for learning.
During each week, participants will attend four workshops selected at the time of registration. Two workshops will meet daily in the mornings, and two workshops will meet daily in the afternoons. Programming also includes supervised group breaks for card/board games and movement. (Please note: STEP is a device-free program, including during breaks and lunch.)
Grade Requirement: Rising 6th - 9th graders
Dates & Times: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
1-week sessions:
July 6 - 10
July 13 - 17
July 20 - 24July 27 - 31
Tuition: $700/session
Please visit the STEP Page for more details and workshop offerings.