Could This Quaker School Be Delaware’s Best Kept Secret. The Wilmington Friends School StoryCould This Quaker School Be Delaware’s Best Kept Secret. The Wilmington Friends School Story
Brief History of Wilmington Friends School
Nestled in the historic Quaker Hill neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware sits a tight-knit community dedicated to empowering students to discover their passions. This is the Wilmington Friends School, a pre-K through 12th grade Quaker school with a rich history and unique approach to education. The school was established in 1867 as a small primary school by members of the Wilmington Monthly Meeting of Friends. As the city grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, so did the need for a Quaker school. Additions were built over the years to accommodate increasing enrollment. In the 1960s, the school consolidated into one campus at its current location. Today, Wilmington Friends continues to embrace the Quaker tenets of integrity, community, stewardship and equality that guided its founding over 150 years ago.
Quaker Values Shape Education
At the core of a Wilmington Friends education are Quaker values like integrity, simplicity, peaceful resolution of conflict and respect for all people. These values permeate daily life and learning. Students are encouraged to be reflective, seek truth and live ethically. The Quaker philosophy of valuing the “light within each person” promotes equality, community decision-making and respect for differences. Teachers know each child’s strengths and challenges. This fosters an environment where students learn to be active global citizens. Friends schools are diverse communities where students gain intercultural understanding and a commitment to social justice.
Small Class Sizes Foster Community
Wilmington Friends keeps classes small, averaging 14 students in Lower School and 17 students in Middle and Upper School. This low student-teacher ratio enables personalized attention and strong relationships. Teachers can tailor instruction to challenge and support each learner. Students are known well by adults who care about them as individuals. Younger students remain with the same teacher for two years, further strengthening bonds. Older students have advisors who advocate for them throughout their academic journey. Small classes become close-knit communities where students collaborate, grow together and discover their voices.
Diverse Student Body and Inclusive Culture
Wilmington Friends attracts creative, engaged students from various backgrounds. The school values this diversity and strives to be inclusive. Students of color currently comprise 29% of the student body. Many families come from the city of Wilmington, while others travel from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other areas. Economic diversity is also important, with 20% of students receiving tuition assistance. Various family structures are represented and accepted. A rainbow flag flies proudly on campus, signaling a welcoming environment for LGBTQ students. Buddies, clubs, athletics and other activities unite students across grade levels and differences.
Focus on the Whole Child, Not Just Academics
Wilmington Friends believes in educating the whole child intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially and ethically. Alongside rigorous academics, the school places great importance on arts, athletics, wellness and character development. Students are encouraged to explore passions, take healthy risks and find balance. The school day includes time for silent reflection. Mindfulness practices teach self-awareness and stress management skills. Teachers strive to understand learning styles, strengths and challenges in order to nurture growth. Graduates leave not just prepared for college, but prepared for life.
Robust Arts, Athletics and Extracurriculars
Wilmington Friends offers an abundance of arts, athletics and activities to match students’ varied interests. There are 15 competitive sports teams, including unique offerings like fencing, sailing and rugby. Over 60 student clubs span interests like coding, activism, gaming and more. Drama productions boast professional sets and costumes. Band, strings and chorale groups perform on campus and around the world. Dance, visual art and poetry give students creative outlets. Faculty passionately coach teams, direct plays and lead clubs to provide personalized experiences outside the classroom.
Service Learning and Community Engagement
Students at Wilmington Friends participate in meaningful service grounded in building authentic relationships. Younger grades do integrated projects like making dog toys for shelters. Older students complete 30 hours of independent service per year with nonprofit partners. Eighth graders spend two weeks immersed in service. Initiatives like the Peace Project bring guest speakers to promote empathy and ignite student action. Students develop a lifelong commitment to service and understanding people different from themselves.
Global Education and Study Abroad
Wilmington Friends prepares students to thrive in an increasingly global society. Robust world languages like Mandarin Chinese foster cultural literacy. Exchange programs welcome students from China, France and other nations. Short-term global study experiences take students to countries like Ecuador, Spain and South Africa. Wilmington Friends is developing an innovative four-year global certificate to equip graduates with intercultural competence. Global learning promotes understanding of diverse perspectives and shared humanity.
State of the Art Sustainable Campus
Set on a sprawling 114-acre campus, Wilmington Friends leverages its facilities to enrich academics and student life. The campus boasts LED lighting, geothermal heating/cooling and 25 acres of solar panels. Innovative learning spaces include a creativity lab, innovation studio and outdoor classroom. Athletic facilities include turf fields, tennis courts and a fitness center. The arts wing houses a black box theater, art studios and multimedia lab. Students enjoy access to nature with cross country trails, gardens and a pond supporting hands-on science learning.
Strong Parental Involvement and Alumni Network
Wilmington Friends School has multi-generational alumni spanning artists, entrepreneurs, physicians, community leaders and more. Graduates report feeling well-prepared for college and beyond. Many parents are alumni who cherish the school. The Friends community stays connected through initiatives like Quaker Conversations and mentorship programs. Parent volunteers actively strengthen the school in areas like fundraising, facilities and enrichment. This robust network provides students with valuable relationships and opportunities.
100% College Acceptance and Scholarships
100% of Wilmington Friends graduating seniors are accepted to four-year colleges and universities. The Class of 2022 earned over $7 million in merit scholarships, attending schools like UCLA, UPenn, NYU, and Dartmouth. Students emerge prepared to thrive in college, consistently reporting feeling academically ready and at home in a rigorous academic environment. The school draws students seeking a well-rounded preparatory education centered in Quaker values.
Leadership and Innovation in Teaching Methods
Wilmington Friends teachers are passionate experts committed to innovative and student-centered practices. Many hold advanced degrees and regularly engage in professional development. Faculty collaborate in Professional Learning Communities to continuously improve teaching and share knowledge. The school embraces design thinking, genius hour, Socratic seminars and experiential learning. Technology is integrated meaningfully with tools like 3D printers and laser cutters. Teachers meet diverse learner needs while preparing students for 21st century life.
Real World Skills and Preparation for Life
Along with intellectual rigor, Wilmington Friends focuses on building skills for life beyond academics. Students learn to be reflective, ethical and empathetic human beings. They practice critical thinking, creative problem-solving and handling complexity. Communication, collaboration, time management and organization are emphasized. Through self-advocacy, leadership and perseverance, students gain resilience. Wilmington Friends graduates are known for leaving not just prepared for college, but prepared for purposeful lives.
Commitment to Affordability and Access
Wilmington Friends strives to make its transformative education accessible to committed students of all backgrounds, not just the wealthy. Over 20% of students receive tuition assistance. The school partners with community organizations to welcome promising students. Initiatives like the Partnership for Delawareans scholarships open doors for high-achieving low-income youth. Significant tuition assistance and payment plans remove barriers for families. Wilmington Friends believes its education should be affordable and accessible to all.
Discover Why Wilmington Friends School Stands Out
This Quaker school offers a progressive, globally-minded education centered in integrity and community. Students are known well and supported to pursue passions in academics, arts, athletics and life. Small class sizes, devoted teachers and a vibrant community inspire students to discover their voices. Graduates emerge prepared to live ethically, think critically, embrace diversity and contribute meaningfully. Wilmington Friends empowers students to be changemakers in college and beyond.
Quaker Values Shape Education
At Wilmington Friends, it’s not just about cramming kids’ heads full of facts and figures. This school takes a holistic approach to education that nurtures the heart and spirit as much as the mind. How so? By instilling Quaker values like integrity, community, equality and stewardship into the very fabric of school life. Walking the halls, you’ll find students listening quietly to that “still, small voice” within during moments of silent reflection. Observing a conflict between classmates, you’ll see them seeking peaceful resolution through respectful dialogue. Popping into a class discussion, you’ll hear them speaking their truths with care after thoughtful consideration. The Quakers call this concept “letting your life speak.” At Wilmington Friends, they believe children need to learn human values as much as math or science to live purposeful, ethical lives.
Imagine how different school would feel if teachers treated every child as though they had profound wisdom inside them. This idea springs from the Quaker testimony of equality – they believe every person has a divine Inner Light. Extending this to education, it translates into high expectations and bringing out the best in every learner. Students aren’t just seen for their grades or test scores, but for their gifts. This looks like personalized attention in small classes where teachers really know their kids. It means helping them discover their passions through arts, athletics, and service. Most of all, it creates a safe, inclusive space where students can find their voices.
In Quaker speak, community and integrity are closely tied together. A community flourishes when members act with integrity towards one another. At Wilmington Friends, this starts with respect between students, teachers, and families. They value open, honest communication guided by care for the community. Students learn to share their perspectives while listening deeply to others. When issues come up, they solve them together through compromise rather than conflict. They lift each other up instead of putting others down. In this supportive environment, students build confidence in being themselves and gain courage to do what’s right.
Service learning is another core value at Wilmington Friends. Quakers believe in stewardship – leaving the world a little better than you found it. Students carry this into the community through relationship-driven service with local partners. Volunteering at food banks and shelters, they build human connections while addressing real needs. Eighth graders put service into action during a two-week immersion trip. By rolling up their sleeves alongside community members, kids expand their perspectives. They realize their responsibilities beyond themselves – to neighbors, humanity and the planet. This empowers them to be active citizens.
Quaker schools like Wilmington Friends shine light on what really matters. In an age of high-stakes testing and pressure to compete, they focus on nurturing the whole child. Kids don’t just memorize facts here – they reflect on life’s big questions, think critically about complex issues and learn what it means to live purposefully. If you want your child to gain more than academic knowledge, to grow as an ethical human being, you’ve found the right place.
Small Class Sizes Foster Community
Forget learning in huge classes where your kid is just another face. Wilmington Friends keeps it intimate, with no more than 14 students per class in Lower School and 17 in Middle and Upper. This tight-knit community enables tailored instruction that meets learners where they’re at. Teachers connect personally with each child and understand how they’re wired to learn best. They challenge students just enough to foster growth without frustration.
In smaller classes, shy kids come out of their shells. They get the gentle encouragement needed to find their voices. Struggling students never fall through the cracks – they receive one-on-one support to catch up. Advanced learners get pushed to reach their potential. And teachers uncover each child’s hidden strengths, from artistry to leadership. Students learn as much from collaborating with classmates as from teachers. The bonds running deep in small classes powerfully shape students’ development.
Looping is another way Wilmington Friends builds community. It means students stay with the same Lower School teacher for two years. This rare continuity creates a safe space for kids to take risks and be themselves. The extra year strengthens relationships between teachers, students and families. And educators gain richer insights into each child’s needs to support their blossoming.
Diverse Student Body and Inclusive Culture
At Wilmington Friends, you’ll find creative, engaged kids from many walks of life. About 30% are students of color, hailing from the city and suburbs. Various family structures are represented – married parents, single parents, grandparents and more. The school values this diversity, which fosters global citizens able to thrive anywhere. Students gain intercultural fluency through everyday interactions and friendships.
Wilmington Friends also embraces economic differences, with 20% receiving tuition assistance. Scholarships ensure students of all means can access this life-shaping education. What’s more, the school partners with local organizations to lift up promising students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Beyond demographics, Wilmington Friends creates an inclusive culture where everyone belongs. A rainbow flag flies proudly on campus, making it a welcoming place for LGBTQ students. Clubs, sports teams and buddy programs unite kids across age and social groups. At this school, you can be yourself – quirks and all!
Focus on the Whole Child, Not Just Academics
Let’s be real – kids are so much more than test scores and grades. At Wilmington Friends, the light within each child gets ample room to shine. Along with academic rigor, the school nurtures creative, athletic, social and emotional development. The arts, athletics and service learning are all woven into the fabric of school life.
Students enjoy daily quiet time for self-reflection. Mindfulness helps them manage stress and gain self-awareness. Yoga classes teach breathing techniques to find calm and balance. Teachers strive to understand students’ unique learning styles, challenges and anxieties. It’s all part of caring for the whole child – intellectual, physical, social and emotional wellbeing.
Wilmington Friends wants students to discover their sparks. Passions give life meaning and drive achievement. Teachers help kids pinpoint their interests, then provide opportunities to cultivate them. Personal growth and balance are emphasized over accolades. Students learn to take healthy risks, build resilience, and find fulfillment on their own terms. The goal? Prepare kids not just for college, but for purposeful lives.
Robust Arts, Athletics and Extracurriculars
Step into Wilmington Friends School and you’ll find students powered by passion. Over 60 student-led clubs give them outlets to geek out on interests from coding to gaming, activism to anime. The school offers 15 competitive sports – even unique ones like fencing, sailing, and rugby. Nearly half the high school participates in athletics, encouraged by spirit-boosting traditions like Poster Night.
From set design to sculptures, Wilmington Friends gives creative kids space to shine. Students stage impressive drama productions with Broadway-level sets and costumes. Music ensembles like strings, chorale and band perform on campus and abroad. Dedicated faculty directing plays and coaching teams provide personalized experiences that help students chase their dreams.
Teachers deliver core subjects like hands-on science and foundational math. But there’s room for students to steer their own learning. Electives, Independent Studies and Mini-Term intensives allow them to cultivate budding interests or uncover new ones. Whether it’s musical theater, photography or Taekwondo,Wilmington Friends ensures students can explore any passion.
Global Education and Study Abroad
No longer can graduates thrive by looking inward – today’s world requires global competence. That’s why Wilmington Friends looks beyond borders to expand students’ horizons. Robust world language offerings like Mandarin Chinese and Spanish give them vital cultural literacy. The school hosts exchange students from China, France, and other nations through programs like FLEX and AFS.
Short-term study abroad trips open eyes and minds. Students develop global perspectives from experiences like eco-volunteering in Ecuador, studying arts in Argentina, or exploring history in Greece. Some upperclassmen even spend a semester immersed in schools overseas. To continue weaving global learning into every student’s experience, Wilmington Friends is developing an innovative Global Certificate.
At graduation, students walk away as citizens of the world. They grasp diverse worldviews that shape our shared humanity. They can communicate across differences and collaborate interculturally. And they feel compelled to better the global community, not just their back yards. As technology continually collapses borders, Wilmington Friends equips students for global life.
State of the Art Sustainable Campus
Wilmington Friends sits on an awe-inspiring 114-acre campus where nature and sustainability take center stage. Eight LEED-certified modern buildings host light-filled innovative learning spaces. Glistening solar panels blanket 25 acres of the grounds, powering over half the school’s electricity sustainably. Geothermal wells for heating and cooling nearly eliminate fossil fuel usage.
Academically, the campus provides interactive tools to ignite learning. A creativity lab cultivates design thinking. The Innovation Studio hosts 3D printers, laser cutters, and other rapid prototyping technology. Well-equipped science labs facilitate hands-on discovery. Outdoor classrooms extend learning into nature’s classroom. Even facilities like the dining hall and turf fields enrich student life.
Beyond green technology, the school uses its bucolic setting as a living lesson in environmental stewardship. Trails through woods and meadows surrounding campus foster exploration and reflection. School gardens provide organic produce for the cafeteria. A cascading pond serves as an ecosystem laboratory for water testing and other experiments. For students, sustainability is not an abstract concept but a daily practice and passion.
Discover Why Wilmington Friends School Stands Out
In our high-pressure, hypercompetitive world, Wilmington Friends School offers refuge. Kids don’t just memorize textbooks here – they reflect, question, and cultivate their humanity. In intimate classes guided by Quaker values, students gain courage to be themselves. Passions flourish through arts, athletics and service in a diverse, inclusive community. Graduates leave empowered to live purposefully, think critically, embrace differences and better the world. At Wilmington Friends, education isn’t one-size-fits-all – it’s personalized, holistic and transformative.
Small Class Sizes Foster Community
In the era of crowded classrooms, Wilmington Friends School keeps it small. We’re talking classes with just 14 students in Lower School and 17 in Middle and Upper School. This tight-knit community creates an environment where every student can thrive. Without getting lost in the shuffle, each child receives personalized attention tailored to their needs. Teachers get to know them deeply as individuals – how they learn best, what piques their curiosity, where they need gentle nudges. With room to collaborate and grow together, students gain confidence in using their voices.
The low student-teacher ratio enables teachers to pinpoint every learner’s style and needs. For visual learners, they incorporate more diagrams, images and videos. For auditory learners, they speak instructions aloud while writing them on the board. For kinesthetic learners, they add hands-on activities. Teachers challenge advanced students with more complex assignments that dig deeper. Struggling students receive individual support to master concepts before moving on. Shy students are coaxed out of their shells and encouraged to share ideas. In small classes, students can’t hide in the shadows – and they blossom because of it.
Collaborative learning thrives when class sizes are smaller. Teachers might group students by skill level for targeted instruction. For projects, they can pair kids with complementary strengths. Students motivate each other to aim higher and broaden perspectives through peer learning. They also gain experience resolving conflicts and helping teammates. With deeper relationships among fewer students, small classes build confident communicators and compassionate friends.
Looping magnifies Wilmington Friends’ small class advantage. It means Lower School students remain with the same teacher for two years. Imagine the difference this makes in second grade – students start the year with their beloved teacher already knowing their personalities, strengths, and growth areas. The extra year strengthens bonds between teachers, students, and families. And teachers gain richer insights to better support each child’s developing needs.
While public schools cram 30+ kids in a classroom, Wilmington Friends caps enrollment at around 300 students across all grades. This preserves an intimate feel where every student is treated as an individual, not just a number. In small classes, teachers have time to assess student progress daily through methods like pulling small reading groups. They don’t just teach content – they nurture young hearts and minds. Kids look forward to school because they feel seen, safe, and part of a family.
Diverse Student Body and Inclusive Culture
Wilmington Friends attracts creative, engaged kids from various backgrounds. Around 30% are students of color, giving classmates intercultural experiences. While many families live in Wilmington’s Quaker Hill neighborhood, others hail from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and beyond. Economic diversity is also valued, with 20% receiving tuition assistance. The school partners with nonprofits to provide access to promising students from disadvantaged situations. Family structures run the gamut too – married parents, single parents, guardians, blended families and more.
Beyond demographics, Wilmington Friends cultivates an inclusive culture where everyone belongs. A rainbow flag waves proudly on campus, signaling a welcoming environment for LGBTQ students. Cross-grade Buddy programs unite older and younger students. Clubs and teams give kids friendship circles beyond academics. At this school, you can be yourself, quirks and all! Students gain interpersonal skills to collaborate across differences.
Focus on the Whole Child, Not Just Academics
Let’s get real – kids are so much more than test scores. Wilmington Friends takes a holistic approach to education that nurtures the whole child. Alongside rigorous academics, the school emphasizes social-emotional development, physical health, creativity and spirituality. Students begin each day with quiet reflection to instill mindfulness. Yoga classes teach breathing and self-care techniques to find balance. Teachers strive to understand students’ unique learning styles, special needs, and anxieties. It’s all part of educating the heart as much as the mind.
Wilmington Friends wants students to discover their sparks, not just rack up accolades. Teachers help them pinpoint interests in coding, drama, art or athletics. Then they provide opportunities to cultivate passions through clubs, electives and internships. Personal growth and balance are emphasized over grades. Students gain resilience by taking healthy risks in environments where it’s safe to fail. The goal is preparing kids not just for college, but for purposeful lives.
Robust Arts, Athletics and Extracurriculars
At Wilmington Friends, learning doesn’t end when the bell rings. With over 60 student clubs and 15 competitive sports teams, kids have endless opportunities to pursue interests. Nearly half of upper schoolers participate in athletics, encouraged by spirited traditions like Poster Night. Students stage first-rate drama productions with Broadway-level sets and costumes. Music programs develop talents through choir, band, strings and more. Passionate teachers provide personalized experiences in arts, athletics and activities to help students chase dreams.
Academics come to life through engaging electives like Digital Music, Creative Writing, and Mobile App Design. Students explore potential careers through internships at local organizations. Mini-Term intensives provide immersive experiences in areas like digital photography and international relations. At Wilmington Friends, education goes beyond textbooks to ignite real-world passions.
Global Education and Study Abroad
No longer can graduates thrive by looking inward – today’s world requires global competence. Wilmington Friends readies students for global citizenship through immersive experiences. Robust language offerings like Mandarin Chinese and Spanish build cultural fluency. Exchange programs bring students from China, France and other nations to share perspectives. Short-term study trips open minds through exploring history in Greece or volunteering in Ecuador. Some upperclassmen even spend a semester at schools overseas.
To continue weaving global learning into every student’s experience, Wilmington Friends is developing an innovative Global Certificate. Students will graduate with global perspectives and ability to communicate and collaborate across cultures. They’ll feel compelled to better not only their local communities, but also the world we all share. Wilmington Friends graduates enter college and careers ready to make a mark globally.
State of the Art Sustainable Campus
Sustainability comes to life at Wilmington Friends, with 25 acres of solar panels powering half the school’s electricity. LEED-certified modern buildings employ geothermal heating and cooling to reduce emissions. Outdoor classrooms extend learning into nature’s living laboratory. School gardens supply organic produce for the cafeteria. Forested trails surrounding campus inspire exploration and renewal. For students, caring for the planet becomes second nature.
Academically, the 114-acre campus provides interactive tools to ignite learning. A creativity lab fosters design thinking while the Innovation Studio houses 3D printers and other rapid-prototyping technology.kids don’t just study science – they experience it hands-on through testing pond ecosystems, building solar-powered models, and other experiments utilizing the school’s green features.
Discover Why Wilmington Friends School Stands Out
In an era of crowded classrooms, Wilmington Friends keeps it intimate. Low student-teacher ratios enable personalized attention and tight-knit community. Looping strengthens bonds between teachers and students. A holistic approach nurtures the whole child. Students explore passions through arts, clubs, and athletics. Global experiences widen perspectives. All within a sustainable campus advancing the school’s mission. At Wilmington Friends, education addresses minds, hearts, and purpose.
Nestled in the historic Quaker Hill neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware lies a hidden gem of a school that fosters academic excellence and an inclusive community. The Wilmington Friends School, while not as widely known outside of Delaware, has quietly built a reputation over the past century as being one of the premier K-12 private schools in the state. With its emphasis on values like integrity, simplicity, peace and equality, Wilmington Friends provides a diverse student body with an environment where all feel welcomed to learn and grow.
Diverse Student Body and Inclusive Culture
Although Wilmington Friends is historically a Quaker school, today only about 10% of the students identify as Quaker. The remainder represent diverse religious, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds from not just Delaware but also Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. In fact, over 50% of students receive some amount of need-based financial aid. Rather than seeing this diversity as an obstacle, Wilmington Friends embraces it fully, guided by the Quaker testimonies of community, equality and stewardship.
This commitment to inclusion starts with the admissions process, where the school employs a holistic review that looks beyond just grades and test scores to understand each applicant as an individual. Once on campus, students are encouraged to engage with different viewpoints and experiences through community discussion, experiential programs and extracurricular clubs. The school also partners closely with the nearby historically Black Delaware State University to provide tutoring, mentoring and campus experiences for its high school students.
The inclusive culture extends to support for neurodiversity as well. Wilmington Friends operates a robust Learning Support Program with trained specialists to aid students with learning differences. Whether it’s ADHD, dyslexia, auditory processing disorders or Asperger’s, the school develops Individual Learning Plans tailored to each student’s needs to allow them to thrive academically and socially.
Quaker Values in Action
This commitment to diversity is more than just words for Wilmington Friends School. It stems directly from traditional Quaker values that date back over 300 years. Central to the Quaker faith is the idea that all people have an “Inner Light” inside them that connects them directly to God. This leads to a belief in the fundamental equality of all, regardless of outside differences.
Quakers express this through their “testimonies,” which Wilmington Friends integrates throughout its programs. The testimony of Community calls on Quakers to see “that of God in everyone.” Wilmington Friends brings this to life through multi-age classrooms that mix grades and collaborative projects that build connections. The testimony of Equality leads the school to give equal voice to all and value each person’s gifts and perspectives. Stewardship testimony inspires the school to use resources responsibly and care for the environment through hands-on programs like gardening and habitat restoration.
Overall, Wilmington Friends feels more like an close-knit community than a traditional school. Teachers often stay for decades, forming lasting mentorships with students. Alumni frequently describe their experience as being part of a “family,” one that gave them the confidence and compassion to live purposefully out in the world.
Academic Excellence
The inclusive community of Wilmington Friends does not come at the expense of academic rigor and excellence. The school maintains a 6:1 student to faculty ratio, allowing for highly personalized instruction and attention. This leads to over 95% of graduates going on to four-year colleges and universities.
Wilmington Friends School challenges students through a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. Teachers work to tailor instruction to students’ individual needs and interests as they progress from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
In the Lower School (K-4), students learn core subjects like reading, writing and math through hands-on, experiential methods. The Middle School years focus on developing research skills, logical thinking and personal growth. By High School, students are ready to take on advanced coursework, with most taking multiple AP or post-secondary classes.
Throughout their Wilmington Friends’ journey, students hone their passions through the arts, athletics and extracurriculars. Over 90% participate in a sport like soccer, basketball or lacrosse. Many sing in the choir, act in plays, or learn an instrument in the band. Wilmington Friends becomes the place where they explore their interests and develop their gifts.
A Caring Community
In the end, the true magic of Wilmington Friends School lies in the connections it nurtures between teachers, students, and families. It’s the kind of place where Middle Schoolers eagerly greet their Kindergarten reading buddies each month. Where High School students mentor those in Lower School as part of the Quaker Value Friends program. Where teachers stay late to provide extra help or chat over lunch just to get to know their students better.
For families seeking a private school with academic rigor, personal attention and an authentic inclusive community, Wilmington Friends just might be Delaware’s best kept secret. The sense of belonging fostered there has anchored generations of alumni, providing them with an Inner Light to guide them through life’s journey. Perhaps it’s time to discover if Wilmington Friends School could do the same for your family.
Situated in historic Quaker Hill in Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington Friends School is a hidden gem that takes a holistic approach to education. While not as widely recognized outside of Delaware, Wilmington Friends has quietly built a reputation over the past 100+ years as one of the top K-12 private schools in the state. With an emphasis on Quaker values like integrity, simplicity, peace and equality, Wilmington Friends provides a diverse student body with an environment that nurtures them academically, socially and emotionally.
Focus on the Whole Child, Not Just Academics
At Wilmington Friends, education goes beyond just textbooks and tests. The school believes in educating the whole child and helping each student thrive in mind, body and spirit. This comprehensive approach allows students to build self-confidence, resilience, creativity and compassion to guide them through life.
Academics remain a key priority, with small class sizes, personalized attention and rigorous courses that teach critical thinking and problem solving. But just as important is nurturing students’ passions, supporting their mental health and giving them skills for personal growth. Wilmington Friends recognizes that success means more than high test scores – it means graduating young adults ready to live purposeful, ethical lives.
Passion-Based Learning
Wilmington Friends encourages students to pursue their interests both inside and outside the classroom. Over 90% participate in athletics, choosing from 18 different varsity and junior varsity sports. Many discover their artistic talents through band, choir, theater or visual arts electives. Clubs and summer programs provide avenues to explore everything from social justice and community service to STEM, robotics and entrepreneurship.
The school also partners with organizations to provide real-world learning opportunities. High schoolers gain work experience interning with local businesses, government agencies and nonprofits. Collaboration with the nearby Delaware State University exposes students to college-level courses and mentoring programs.
By nurturing their passions, Wilmington Friends teaches students key life skills like collaboration, communication and critical thinking. It allows them to gain confidence in their gifts and talents to take into college, career and beyond.
Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing
In today’s pressure-filled academic climate, mental health support is essential for students to thrive. Wilmington Friends integrates social-emotional learning throughout its curriculum to build skills like resilience, self-awareness and healthy relationship building.
Teachers receive ongoing training to identify signs of depression, anxiety, trauma or other issues. The school partners with mental health professionals to provide counseling services for students in need. Peer mentoring programs encourage students to support one another and destigmatize asking for help.
The Quaker concept of Spirituality also promotes inner wellbeing. Students reflect on their emotions and values through journaling, silent worship and community discussion. A partnership with a mindfulness expert brings yoga, meditation and stress-reduction strategies into health classes. This holistic approach fosters the inner strength students need to handle life’s challenges.
Building Character and Purpose
Wilmington Friends weaves traditional Quaker values like integrity, equality and community into the student experience. This provides an ethical foundation to guide choices and actions.
Students put values into practice through community service days, fundraisers for causes like hunger and homelessness and restoration projects to care for the environment. Cross-grade mentoring builds empathy and connection between older and younger students.
Morning Meetings provide a space for students to share opinions, have respectful dialogue and gain understanding of different viewpoints. This fosters critical thinking and communication skills students need to positively impact their communities.
By emphasizing character and purpose along with academics, Wilmington Friends cultivates well-rounded graduates ready to live principled, compassionate lives in college and beyond.
A Lifelong Support System
The relationships nurtured at Wilmington Friends often last decades, providing an extended community beyond graduation. Alumni frequently describe their experience as joining a “family.” Teachers form meaningful mentoring bonds with students that continue as they transition to higher education and careers.
Alumni credit this lifelong support system with instilling confidence to take on challenges, follow passions and stay true to who they are. For over 100 years, Wilmington Friends has anchored generations of students through life’s journey by educating the whole child.
For families seeking a private school that goes beyond academics to nurture mind, body and spirit, Wilmington Friends just might be Delaware’s best kept secret. Is it time you discovered if its whole-child approach is right for your student?
Tucked away in historic Quaker Hill in Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington Friends School is a hidden gem that provides top-notch academic programs alongside a rich offering of arts, athletics and extracurricular activities. While not as widely recognized outside of Delaware, Wilmington Friends has quietly built a reputation over 100+ years as one of the premier K-12 private schools in the state. With an emphasis on Quaker values like integrity, simplicity, peace and equality, Wilmington Friends gives students the chance to pursue their passions and develop their talents across many dimensions.
Robust Arts, Athletics and Extracurriculars
In addition to academic excellence, Wilmington Friends believes in nurturing the whole child through diverse opportunities beyond the classroom. With over 100 clubs and 18 varsity sports teams, students are encouraged to explore their interests, build skills and form meaningful connections.
Thriving Arts Programs
Wilmington Friends has an expansive arts program that allows students to unleash their creative talents. Those musically inclined can join the school’s jazz band, chamber orchestra or choir, which put on multiple concerts each year. Aspiring thespians can act in two annual stage productions or be part of the tech crew.
For visual artists, there are classes in ceramics, photography, drawing and painting, with student work displayed across campus and at a special exhibition each spring. Filmmaking buffs can join the Digital Storytelling club using the school’s state-of-the-art studio.
No matter their passion, students have abundant opportunities to imagine, experiment and produce original art forms while receiving personalized instruction from talented faculty.
Diverse Athletic Offerings
Wilmington Friends encourages all students to stay active and healthy through sports. With 18 JV and varsity teams, they can pick from popular options like soccer, basketball, baseball, field hockey and lacrosse. Or try out less common offerings like fencing, crew or cross country.
The school fields competitive teams, yet maintains an inclusive environment where all are encouraged to participate. This builds key values like teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship. Student athletes learn time management balancing practices and games with rigorous course loads.
State-of-the-art athletic facilities, like the Wyman Athletic Center with indoor track and tennis courts, allow student athletes to hone their skills. No matter their sport, students build lifelong habits of health, fitness and perseverance.
Diverse Extracurricular Activities
Beyond arts and athletics, Wilmington Friends offers over 100 extracurricular clubs and activities to match any interest or passion. Students can debate current events, code computers, play chess, learn mindfulness techniques, or advocate for social justice.
For future leaders, there’s the Entrepreneurship Club and Model United Nations team. Those wanting to help the environment can join the Green Club’s recycling initiatives. Options like the Literary Magazine, Yearbook Committee, and Morning Announcement Team allow students to find and use their voice.
Partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits and colleges provide real-world learning through job shadows, internships and summer experiences. Whether their passion is arts, athletics or activism, students gain skills and confidence to carry into college and careers.
Forming Bonds Beyond the Classroom
The vast extracurricular offerings at Wilmington Friends serve an even deeper purpose than just skill building. They strengthen bonds between teachers, students and families that last a lifetime.
Coaches become trusted mentors during formative high school years. Band directors witness students’ growth over months of rehearsals. Faculty advisors watch as clubs ignite students’ interests and talents. Shared passions form meaningful connections that anchor students through college and beyond.
This is why alumni so often describe Wilmington Friends as their “second family.” Arts, athletics and activities provide a nurturing community where students can discover who they are – and who they want to become.
For families seeking a well-rounded private school experience that develops the whole child, Wilmington Friends may just be Delaware’s best kept secret. With abundant extracurriculars alongside strong academics, is it time you discovered the possibilities waiting within this small Quaker school?
Nestled in the historic Quaker Hill neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware sits a unique school that has been educating students for over 100 years. Wilmington Friends School, founded in 1914, is the only Quaker school in the state and one of just a handful remaining in the Mid-Atlantic region. Though small in size, with around 500 students in preschool through 12th grade, it boasts an impressive track record of academic excellence, community service, and progressive values that set it apart from other private and public schools in the area.
Service Learning and Community Engagement
Central to a Wilmington Friends education is the Quaker tenet of community service and civic engagement. Students at every grade level participate in service learning projects and volunteer work aimed at bettering the local community and the lives of others. Unlike many schools that relegate service activities to special designated days or events, service is woven into the daily fabric of academic and extracurricular life at Wilmington Friends.
Some examples include: preschoolers making lunches for homeless members of the community; elementary school students writing letters of support to hospital patients; middle schoolers volunteering at local food banks and shelters; and high school students organizing school-wide drives for supplies and donations. Students also embark on service learning trips to impoverished areas locally and internationally. By graduation, students have logged hundreds of hours of meaningful community service.
These initiatives instill in students the Quaker values of equality, compassion, and civic responsibility. Students gain hands-on lessons about social justice issues and see firsthand how they can enact positive change. The emphasis on service also sets Wilmington Friends graduates apart – they tend to be socially-conscious leaders who continue working to serve community needs.
Innovative Academic Program
In addition to community service, Wilmington Friends is also known for its top-rated academic program. While nurturing students’ social and emotional growth, the school also challenges them intellectually through an innovative curriculum. With its Quaker philosophy of cultivating each child’s unique gifts, the school eschews traditional metrics like grades and test scores. Instead, students are assessed using narrative reports and portfolios that provide meaningful, qualitative feedback.
The curriculum emphasizes experiential, hands-on learning across all disciplines. Classes utilize primary sources, simulations, experiments and multi-sensory activities to bring subjects to life. The school prides itself on keeping the curriculum relevant and reflective of real-world issues. Wilmington Friends was a pioneer in introducing computer science and coding from elementary grades. Its woodshop features state-of-the-art technology like 3D printers and laser cutters. The curriculum evolves over time to equip students with 21st century skills.
Despite its small size, Wilmington Friends offers an impressive breadth of programs. There are 12 varsity sports, 16 arts and music courses, 8 world languages, and electives like engineering, activism and social justice. SmartLab Allows elementary students to explore electronics and multimedia. The Diamond Challenge program lets high schoolers incubate real start-up companies. Resources like the Innovation Lab and Design Thinking Studio teach creative problem-solving. There are also global initiatives like the IB Diploma Program and exchange programs in China, France and Spain.
Quaker Values
Undergirding it all are Quaker values like equality, community, integrity, and service. The school actively works to promote inclusion and social justice. Its Diversity Leadership Council offers training on topics like implicit bias and microaggressions. The school has groups like Harmony and PRISM to support students of color and LGBTQ students.
Quaker practices are embedded into the school day through weekly “Meetings for Worship” where students reflect silently on personal moral issues. The emphasis is on listening, finding inner wisdom, and articulating values. Students are taught peaceful conflict resolution and given autonomy to govern their own disciplinary process. The goal is to create an ethical learning community based on trust.
The Quaker emphasis on collaboration and participation ensures all voices are heard. Leadership is shared between students, faculty and staff. Students call teachers by their first names, and open communication between all members is encouraged. The egalitarian culture creates a safe space for students to develop confidence to become leaders.
The Quaker motto of “Let your life speak” inspires students to live authentically and make the world more peaceful, just, and sustainable. Testimonies from alumni indicate Wilmington Friends leaves a profound mark on its graduates. Many become change agents in fields like education, medicine, law, arts, and activism. They credit the school with shaping them into socially-conscious citizens committed to improving their communities.
Best Kept Secret No More
For over a century, Wilmington Friends School was a well-kept secret, known mainly just to Delaware locals. But its reputation is now spreading beyond the state. Enrollment has steadily grown over the past decade, with students traveling from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and beyond to attend. The school now draws from over 65 zip codes across three states.
Prospective families are drawn by the school’s unique emphasis on community service coupled with innovative academics. The Quaker approach resonates with parents seeking an educational experience focused on the whole child’s intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth. Many also appreciate the diversity and inclusiveness central to Quaker teaching.
As one of just a handful of Quaker schools left, Wilmington Friends stands out as a special place that brings children of all faiths, races, and backgrounds together. During a time of growing division in society, the school’s mission to develop compassionate citizens committed to equality and service is finding a new audience. For those seeking a values-driven, socially-conscious education, Wilmington Friends is certainly worth exploring.
Situated in historic Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington Friends School has a long-standing reputation for academic rigor, community engagement, and cultivating globally-minded students. As the state’s only Quaker school, it provides a unique educational experience that sets graduates apart through its emphasis on global citizenship.
Global Education and Study Abroad
A cornerstone of a Wilmington Friends education is gaining global awareness and intercultural understanding. The school offers unparalleled opportunities for students to become global citizens through its Center for Global Education.
The Center runs an extensive study abroad program, rare for a small K-12 school. Students can spend semesters or full years immersed at sister schools in countries like Spain, France, China, and Costa Rica. Short-term faculty-led trips take students to places like Ecuador, Ireland, and South Africa. Language clubs arrange immersion trips too. The global focus means most students study abroad before graduating.
On campus, the Global Scholars Program enables high schoolers to take courses like Global Literature and International Relations. Guest speakers share insights on world issues. Events like the Global Experience Symposium and International Festival celebrate cultures. Foreign language instruction starts in preschool with seven languages offered.
Community service also goes global, as students fundraise for schools in Kenya, volunteer at Micronesian health clinics, and build homes in Mexico. They learn firsthand how factors like poverty, access, and policy affect global communities.
This international focus stems from Quaker values of global citizenship and MLK’s call to develop compassion through multicultural understanding. Students graduate not just academically prepared but culturally aware, seeing themselves as global citizens. The Center’s mission is developing leaders equipped to cooperate, compete, and flourish in our interconnected world.
Innovative Academic Program
At Wilmington Friends’ core is its nationally-ranked academic program emphasizing critical thinking and creativity. While nurturing students’ social and emotional growth, the school also challenges them intellectually through an innovative curriculum.
The experiential learning philosophy has students actively doing real-world projects across disciplines. Learners are empowered to guide their education through independent studies on globally relevant topics like climate change and social justice.
Despite its small size, Wilmington Friends’ extensive offerings rival larger institutions. There are 12 varsity sports, 16 arts and music courses, and electives like engineering, ethics, and entrepreneurship. Offerings keep evolving to equip students with 21st century skills, like coding starting in elementary school.
Resources like the global studies major, IB Diploma Program, and Comparative Government class deliver an academically rigorous experience rivaling far bigger schools. 100% of graduates are accepted to four-year colleges, receiving over $7 million annually in merit scholarships.
Quaker Values
Underpinning academics and student life at Wilmington Friends are Quaker values like equality, integrity, community, and service. The school actively promotes inclusion, with a Diversity Leadership Council guiding efforts.
Its egalitarian culture empowers students to use their voice. Leadership is shared between students and faculty. First names are used, and open communication is encouraged. The Quaker emphasis on collaboration and participation ensures all voices are heard.
Quaker practices like silent Meeting for Worship teach deep listening and articulating values. Conflict resolution develops from inner wisdom. This ethical learning community based on trust cultivates intercultural understanding that students carry through life.
The Quaker motto of “Let your life speak” inspires students to live purposefully and make the world more just and sustainable. Graduates apply their global citizenship locally and beyond, creating positive change as citizens of the world.
A Global Learning Hub
Once Delaware’s best kept secret, Wilmington Friends’ reputation now reaches globally. Its unique immersion in Quaker and international education makes it a standout.
The school draws high-achieving students from over 65 zip codes across three states and various nations. Families are increasingly recognizing the profound value of the globally-focused, socially-conscious experience Wilmington Friends provides.
At a time when developing global awareness is more crucial than ever, Wilmington Friends equips students with intercultural fluency, empathy, and a sense of world citizenship. For those seeking to nurture globally-minded change makers, this Quaker school is worth serious consideration.
Tucked away in Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington Friends School is a unique Quaker institution providing a progressive education for over 100 years. While staying true to its historic roots, the school has evolved to feature a state-of-the-art sustainable campus rivaling even top colleges.
State of the Art Sustainable Campus
Wilmington Friends has been on the forefront of environmental sustainability, weaving green technology and practices throughout campus. In 2003 it became the first carbon neutral school in the world, offsetting its ecological footprint. It has since won awards for its net zero waste and LEED-certified buildings.
The campus itself acts as a sustainability lab for students. Half the buildings boast green roofs covered in vegetation that absorb rainwater. Rain gardens and bioswales manage stormwater runoff. Geothermal wells and solar panels generate clean energy. EV charging stations and ample bike racks promote alternative transportation.
Cutting-edge classrooms have writeable glass walls, flexible furniture, AppleTVs, and laptop carts. The fully-equipped fabrication lab houses 3D printers, laser cutters, and other emerging tech. Students manage an on-site organic farm and tend beehives producing honey.
Dining services compose zero waste, utilizing reusable containers and food composting. Hydration stations replace plastic bottles. Even the curriculum incorporates sustainability across subjects like science, civics, and economics.
This immersive green campus serves as a living model of ecological stewardship. Students gain firsthand experience with sustainable systems and see how individual choices affect the environment. They graduate as informed activists empowered to confront climate change.
Innovative Academic Program
In addition to pioneering sustainable education, Wilmington Friends is renowned for its top-ranked academic program centered on experiential learning.
Classes utilize hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and primary sources to drive inquiry. Students investigate real-world problems like income disparities, food insecurity, and pollution. Electives let them cultivate personal passions ranging from arts to ethics.
Despite its compact size, the school provides impressive breadth. There are 12 varsity sports, over 15 student clubs, 8 world languages, and diverse electives. Offerings evolve to equip students with emerging skills like coding, media arts, and engineering.
Facilities like a fully-equipped makerspace, robotics lab, innovation studio, and professional theatre enrich academics. Over 95% of graduates attend four-year colleges, securing $7 million in annual merit aid.
Quaker Values
Central to Wilmington Friends’ identity are Quaker values of equality, community, integrity, and service. The school actively nurtures an inclusive, socially conscious community.
Its student-centered culture empowers learners to use their voice. Shared leadership between students and faculty enables collaboration. Conflict resolution stems from inner wisdom rather than punishment.
Environmental stewardship aligns with Quaker principles of living purposefully and creating a just, sustainable world. By graduation, students evolve into compassionate changemakers committed to bettering their communities.
The Quaker emphasis on listening, finding light within, and living authentically allows students to develop moral character alongside academic skills.
A Sustainable Leader in Education
Once Delaware’s best kept secret, Wilmington Friends’ reputation now reaches nationally. It stands out as a pioneering Quaker school building a state-of-the-art sustainable campus.
Families are drawn to its unique integration of social justice, environmentalism, and academics. Wilmington Friends graduates possess the conscience, compassion, and courage to become sustainability trailblazers.
At a time of growing climate crisis, Wilmington Friends propels learners to become environmental stewards. For those seeking an education merging innovation and ethics, this Quaker school delivers.
Nestled in Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington Friends School is a tight-knit Quaker school educating students for over a century. Two pillars providing stability are its supportive parent community and engaged alumni network.
Strong Parental Involvement and Alumni Network
Parent involvement has always been integral at Wilmington Friends, with the Parent Association coordinating volunteer activities. Parents can be found cheering at games, chaperoning dances, proctoring exams, and serving on committees.
An active network of Wilmington Friends alumni also gives back generously. Collectively they’ve provided millions in donations to support financial aid, new facilities, and programs. Alumni share their expertise through career panels, internships, and class lessons.
These networks lend stability and continuity in a time of frequent turnover at schools. Longtime parents and alumni provide institutional memory, upholding cherished traditions. Their presence offers reassurance to new families of the school’s viability.
Students benefit from forging relationships across generations. Younger students connect with alumni who once walked the same halls. Parents and alumni model generosity and commitment to community service.
This interwoven community enables personal mentoring. Alumni take students under their wing, offering college advice or professional guidance. The benefits continue as alumni assist new graduates with internships, jobs, and networking.
Innovative Academic Program
Wilmington Friends is also renowned for its top-ranked academic program emphasizing critical thinking through hands-on learning. Classrooms brim with collaborative projects, experiments, and in-depth analysis.
The curriculum evolves to equip students with emerging skills like coding, media arts, and engineering alongside traditional liberal arts. Electives allow them to cultivate personal passions in ethics, social justice, or sustainability.
Impressive facilities such as a fully-equipped fabrication lab, 350-seat theater, and innovation studio enrich academics. Over 95% of graduates are accepted to four-year colleges, securing millions in merit aid.
Quaker Values
Central to Wilmington Friends’ close community are Quaker values of equality, integrity, service, and community. The school actively nurtures an inclusive environment.
Its egalitarian culture empowers students through shared leadership between faculty and students. Conflict resolution stems from inner wisdom, not punishment. Environmental stewardship flows from Quaker principles.
This ethical learning community enables students to develop moral character and awareness of social justice issues. Graduates become compassionate leaders committed to bettering society.
A School-Family Community
Once Delaware’s hidden gem, Wilmington Friends’ reputation is growing. Its tight-knit community distinguishes the school.
Parents are drawn to its personalized approach where students are known individually. Alumni give back to nurture future generations. This cross-generational community provides stability while advancing the school.
In an increasingly disconnected world, Wilmington Friends fosters enduring bonds. Students benefit from relationships offering guidance, wisdom, and support sustaining long beyond graduation.
Tucked away in Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington Friends School is a hidden gem providing a stellar college-preparatory education. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and millions in scholarship offers each year.
100% College Acceptance and Scholarships
Wilmington Friends’ excellent college counseling starts early, with PSAT prep beginning in 8th grade. Students take personality and career assessments to align interests with potential majors and colleges.
Juniors have one-on-one meetings with the college counselor weekly. She gets to know each student personally to offer individualized guidance. This level of support is rare even among elite private schools.
The school hosts college rep visits, application workshops, and a comprehensive College Night. Alumni return to offer insider knowledge on their alma maters. Counseling continues senior year to navigate offers and financial aid.
This personalized approach pays off. Over the past 5 years, 100% of Wilmington Friends graduates were accepted to four-year colleges and universities, many to top-ranked institutions.
Even more impressive, the most recent graduating class collectively earned over $7 million in merit scholarship offers. On average, students receive awards covering 50-75% of college costs.
These outcomes are a testament to the academic preparation and support students receive. Wilmington Friends graduates matriculate confident they can thrive at top colleges.
Innovative Academic Program
Central to Wilmington Friends’ success is its academically rigorous program. The curriculum emphasizes critical analysis, creative thinking, and real-world application across disciplines.
Students are pushed to their highest potential through Honors and AP offerings. Electives allow them to explore subjects like ethics, entrepreneurship, and social justice. Facilities like a fabrication lab and theater enrich learning.
The experiential approach trains students to be independent learners and problem solvers. Collaborative projects teach teamwork. Writing intensive courses build communication skills. The well-rounded education equips graduates for college level work.
Quaker Values
Underpinning the curriculum are Quaker values like equality, community, integrity and service. Students gain confidence in an equitable environment that encourages finding their voice.
The emphasis on collaboration and conflict resolution cultivates leadership abilities. Students develop strong moral character and awareness of social justice issues.
This whole-person education produces graduates with both academic chops and the conscience to create positive change in college and beyond.
College Success Springs from Preparation
Once Delaware’s insider school, Wilmington Friends’ first-rate college outcomes are attracting broader recognition. Its blend of personalized counseling and academic rigor propels graduates to higher ed success.
Families appreciate the individualized approach where students are nurtured, not just top test scores. The Quaker emphasis on equity and character building produces well-rounded graduates that colleges clamor for.
For those seeking a school delivering proven college results, Wilmington Friends merits a look. Its grads matriculate prepared, empowered, and purposeful – ready to make their mark on the world.
Tucked away in Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington Friends School provides a progressive Quaker education emphasizing experiential learning. Teachers employ innovative methods and collaborative leadership uncommonly found in K-12 schools.
Leadership and Innovation in Teaching Methods
Wilmington Friends teachers are given autonomy to craft creative curricula versus following regimented standards. There are few top-down mandates on what or how to teach. Teachers design courses pulling from various disciplines and tailoring lessons to student interests.
Classrooms bustle with group projects, experiments, debates, and hands-on activities. Students might write a play on climate change or code an app to help refugees. Learning extends outdoors to the school’s wetlands, organic farm, and forest.
Teachers spurn traditional lectures and worksheets. They are facilitators guiding active inquiry. Assignments involve crafting policies, penning memoirs, or solving real-world problems. Assessments use portfolios and presentations over typical tests.
Educators employ emerging practices like design thinking, personalized learning, and restorative justice circles. Faculty share ideas and collaboratively shape initiatives through teacher-led committees. Their leadership empowers Wilmington Friends to continually enhance teaching.
Innovative Academic Program
This progressive instruction produces graduates skilled in creativity, collaboration, and communication. Wilmington Friends receives national acclaim for its innovative academic program cultivating engaged, independent learners.
The breadth of offerings is remarkable for a small school, from coding to woodshop to race theory. Hands-on electives let students direct their learning around personal passions. College acceptances and merit scholarships are equally impressive.
Central to the school’s success are its inventive faculty. Their autonomy and leadership in improving practices distinguishes Wilmington Friends academically and cultivates fulfilled educators.
Quaker Values
Guiding the human-centered instructional approach are Quaker values like equality, community, and social justice. The school promotes inclusive classrooms where each voice is heard.
Conflict resolution springs from inner wisdom, not punishment. Environmental stewardship aligns with Quaker principles. This student-empowering culture allows learners to develop agency and character.
Teachers model and impart Quaker tenets through the curriculum. Their commitment nurtures graduates prepared to live purposefully and ethically as leaders.
Teaching That Inspires
Once an insider’s school, Wilmington Friends’ reputation is spreading thanks to its inspired teaching. Educators have latitude to create engaging learning experiences tailored to how students best grow and thrive.
Innovative instruction guided by Quaker values produces graduates who think critically, care deeply about their communities, and create collaborative change. For those seeking progressive education at its best, Wilmington Friends delivers.
Nestled in Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington Friends School provides a progressive Quaker education fostering intellect and character. The school prepares graduates not just for college but to lead lives of purpose, service, and fulfillment.
Real World Skills and Preparation for Life
Wilmington Friends looks beyond test scores to equip students with real world skills like problem solving, emotional intelligence, and grit. Academics connect to practical application through hands-on projects tied to global issues.
Students manage an on-campus organic farm, construct tiny houses for the homeless, and start mini companies. Electives in social entrepreneurship and ethical living allow personalized passion projects. Volunteer initiatives teach civic engagement.
The arts and athletics cultivate confidence and teamwork. Students resolve conflicts through restorative justice practices. Key skills developed are communication, collaboration, and creative thinking – hallmarks of future employability.
College counseling has a whole-person focus on aligning values and interests with school fit. Service learning continues at university through Wilmington Friends’ alumni network.
This experiential approach produces graduates prepared to navigate life’s tests. Students evolve into adults of character who contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Innovative Academic Program
Wilmington Friends is nationally recognized for its pioneering experiential academics. The curriculum emphasizes original thought, inquiry, and real-world application across disciplines.
Offerings like engineering, activism, and game design engage student passions while building critical skills. Over 95% of graduates are accepted to four-year colleges, securing millions in merit scholarships.
College preparedness springs from the school’s focus on nurturing well-rounded individuals ready to live purposeful, ethical lives.
Quaker Values
Guiding Wilmington Friends’ experiential approach are Quaker values of equality, community, integrity, and service. The school actively promotes an inclusive environment.
Its student-centered culture encourages finding inner wisdom. Graduates evolve as leaders motivated to create positive change in the world.
This whole-person education – academic, social, moral – enables Wilmington Friends’ students to not just succeed but live meaningfully.
Preparing Change Makers
Once an insider’s gem, Wilmington Friends’ holistic education is attracting broader acclaim. The school prepares graduates to handle life’s tests through experiential learning rooted in Quaker values.
Students evolve into adults possessing the knowledge, conscience, and drive to be compassionate changemakers in college and career. For those seeking progressive education that’s life preparation, Wilmington Friends hits the mark.
Situated in Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington Friends School provides top-tier private education rooted in Quaker values. Central to its mission is ensuring affordability and accessibility.
Commitment to Affordability and Access
Wilmington Friends actively promotes economic diversity, rare among private schools. Over 50% of students receive financial assistance, with aid covering up to the full cost of tuition.
The school has doubled its financial aid budget over the past decade. Need-blind admission prevents finances hindering enrollment. Payment plans, family discounts, and tuition exchange programs ease the burden.
No student is turned away for lack of ability to pay. The school partners with organizations like the Malaika Foundation to support low-income families. Fundraising events like the Annual Fund Drive provide aid dollars.
Wilmington Friends’ urban location also increases access, enabling a healthy mix of city and suburban students. Robust carpool and busing options help overcome transportation barriers. The school works to overcome obstacles to an exceptional education.
Innovative Academic Program
Wilmington Friends is acclaimed for its experiential academic program inspiring engaged learning. Students delve into hands-on projects tackling real-world issues.
The curriculum evolves with emerging fields like coding and ethics to equip learners with critical thinking skills. Impressive faculty and facilities enrich instruction. College acceptances and merit scholarships consistently surpass peers.
Rigorous yet accessible academics provide students of all backgrounds preparation for higher education and career success.
Quaker Values
Inclusion and community are central tenets of Quakerism that guide Wilmington Friends. The school nurtures a diverse, socially conscious culture where all voices are valued.
Its student-centered approach builds confidence by empowering youth. Collaborative governance gives students agency in decision making.
This inclusive community enables students to recognize their fullest potential as compassionate leaders committed to equality and service.
Private School, Public Mission
Once an insider secret, the school’s social impact focus is propelling its reputation. Wilmington Friends provides elite private education guided by a public service mission.
By pooling community resources, the school delivers exceptional academics, arts, and athletics previously exclusive to the affluent. Graduates emerge prepared to effect positive change.
For families seeking a school where no student is priced out of a transformational opportunity, Wilmington Friends merits consideration.
Discover Why Wilmington Friends School Stands Out
Could This Quaker School Be Delaware’s Best Kept Secret? The Wilmington Friends School Story
Nestled in the historic Quaker Hill neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware sits a small private school that just might be the state’s best kept education secret. Wilmington Friends School, founded in 1748, is the oldest school in the state and the third oldest Quaker school in the nation. This tight-knit community of just over 500 students prides itself on providing an exceptional student-centered learning experience, with a focus on character development and community service.
A Long Legacy of Quaker Education
Wilmington Friends School was established before the United States was even a country, originally to serve the educational needs of Quaker children in the Wilmington area. The school has maintained its Quaker identity and practices over its nearly 275 year history. Some of the key Quaker values emphasized at the school include equality, integrity, community, stewardship, and peace. Students start each day with “Meeting for Worship”, a quiet reflection period where they can gather their thoughts before class. The school also offers regular traditional Quaker Meetings that families can participate in.
While grounded in Quaker tradition, Wilmington Friends School welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. The diversity of perspectives is seen as making the community stronger. Still, the Quaker values and student-centered approach make Wilmington Friends stand out from many other private and public school options in the state.
A Small School Making a Big Impact
Despite its small size, Wilmington Friends School manages to provide students an impressive breadth and depth of programs. There is a rigorous yet flexible academic program, with a curriculum that encourages creativity and critical thinking. Students can pursue individual passions through independent studies and experiential learning. The school also offers over 40 different sports and extracurricular activities to match varied interests.
One aspect that makes Wilmington Friends unique is its pioneering Integrated Learning program. Traditional subject divisions are blurred through an interdisciplinary, collaborative project-based approach. For example, 8th grade students might study colonial America by acting out perspectives of different historical figures. This innovative technique brings lessons to life. As one parent described, “My kids don’t just learn things, they experience them.”
Wilmington Friends School graduates have gone on to attend top colleges and universities around the country, including Ivy League schools. Yet academics are only part of the picture. There is an emphasis on building character and cultivating well-rounded individuals. Students are encouraged to identify and use their unique gifts and talents to make a positive difference in the world.
A Strong Sense of Community
Speak to any student, parent, teacher, or alumnus of Wilmington Friends School and one thing that comes up repeatedly is the incredibly strong sense of community. Because it is a small school, students know everyone in their grade by name and have close mentoring relationships with teachers. There is a family-like atmosphere marked by care and mutual respect.
This tight-knit community begins with the school’s Quaker roots and extends beyond the campus through a commitment to service. Wilmington Friends students regularly participate in community service activities, from volunteering at local soup kitchens to rebuilding homes in hurricane-damaged areas. The school has an award-winning Service Learning program integrating community service with classroom learning.
The Wilmington Friends School community is also strengthened by its diversity. The school welcomes students of all races, religions, economic backgrounds and sexual orientations. This diversity is seen as enhancing the educational experience. Students learn to appreciate multiple viewpoints and collaborate across differences.
A School That Goes Beyond Academics
Wilmington Friends School stands apart from other education options in Delaware because it strives to nurture the whole person – mind, body and spirit. It is a place where students are known, challenged and supported. Where they can pursue passions, question assumptions, and make meaningful contributions. Where character development and community service are just as important as academic achievement.
As one parent described, “This school sees the gifts in each child and helps them grow. My child is not just a test score here.” At Wilmington Friends, students are given individual attention to identify their unique talents and interests so they can truly flourish.
The Wilmington Friends School story is one of values, community, and cultivating potential. The education and personal growth students experience equip them to make the world a better place through lives of purpose, service and fulfillment. If you are looking for a thoughtful learning community and well-rounded education for your child, Wilmington Friends may just be Delaware’s best kept secret.
