List of 3 items.

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  Strategic Discovery

  In 2024, Wilmington Friends School focused on Strategic Planning through thoughtful inquiry and community engagement.
  
  
  Shu Shu Costa from Leadership + Design guided a comprehensive, community-rooted strategic planning process. This collaborative and reflective journey involved faculty, staff, students, families, board members, and administrators, all working together to shape a shared vision for the future of our school.
  
  

  The process began with the formation of the Strategic Planning Team and Steering Committee, who grounded themselves in context and culture through school-based interviews and team-building exercises. From there, the team conducted extensive stakeholder interviews and hosted parent, faculty, and staff think tanks to uncover key questions and opportunities.
  
  

  As the year progressed, the Strategic Planning Team engaged in deep inquiry, exploring areas such as peer school comparisons, emerging educational practices, and the unique strengths of our community. This work led to the creation of "Design Briefs" that framed the development of innovative and actionable ideas.
  
  

  The fall featured a vibrant Community Design Day, where members of the school community came together to generate forward-thinking strategies aligned with our core values. Following this, the Strategic Planning Team synthesized the input into a draft strategic framework, presenting detailed goals and initiatives for feedback and refinement.
  
  

  By the end of the year, the Steering Committee reviewed and iterated the plan, ultimately presenting it for Board approval.
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  Key Ideas

  As we look to empower generations for the next 275 years, our strategic plan holds these ideas at the forefront of our vision.
  
  
  

  The world has changed for students and parents.

  Student problem-solving, resilience, and resourcefulness look different than they did a generation or two ago. Students are whizzes at utilizing YouTube and forming online collaborations and communities, however, do they have similar experiences in the real world? There has also been a shift in the expectations and needs of families along with a shift in how teachers are reaching students and managing classrooms. 

  
  

  Science supports experiential learning.

  Brain science and research show that experiential, hands-on learning allow students to engage in learning in ways that increase curiosity, creativity, and agency – capacities and mindsets that will prepare them for the future of lifelong learning and increase joy. 

  
  

  Science supports regular time outside. 

  Research shows that regular contact with the outdoors is necessary for students’ cognitive functioning, mental health, social interaction, resilience, attention restoration, and compassion for the environment (in addition to obvious physical benefits). 

  
  

  Quaker education is more important than ever.

  Quaker education offers rigorous academics with depth, truly asking students to think critically, to collaborate, to be creative, to take risks. The Quaker values that have guided our school since its founding have increased relevance and power in today’s educational environment. 

  
  

  Our values are critical in navigating the digital landscape. 

  The promise and reality of technology both opens up exciting opportunities and is another arena to build skills and hold firmly to our values of integrity and stewardship. Digital literacy and citizenship are critical in today’s world. 

  
  

  Our community connections are rich and deep.

  Our alumni and families are engaged and productive citizens who can hold the door open for our students. Our local and global connections can provide priceless, real-world learning opportunities. 

  
  

  Our teachers are innovative.

  Through curriculum grants, summer stipends, and other professional development, many of our teachers continue our pioneering mindset, evolving their classrooms as new information emerges about learning and teaching. We are perfectly poised to further our innovations in a cohesive vision and plan to proactively provide a future-forward program that serves today’s students.

  
  

  We can learn from others.

  Exploring innovative practices at other schools and staying informed about the latest research on educational advancements, student well-being, and innovative strategies for learning will be key to our thinking and planning.

  
  

  Financial sustainability is key.

  Financial sustainability and support will be key to our efforts.

  
  
  
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  Implementation

  Following the completion of the strategic plan, Wilmington Friends School launched its implementation phase in June 2025. 
  
  
  We began with a Compass Team Leader meeting designed to build shared purpose and momentum. This summer, teams will focus on key questions and review possible initiatives related to their Compass points. In August 2025, the full Implementation Team will convene for a kickoff meeting, where team assignments will be shared and priorities set. Teams will engage in active research and early-stage prototyping—exploring best practices, gathering insights, and testing ideas that bring the strategic plan to life in tangible and meaningful ways.
  
  

  In November, the full team will gather for an all-day session to present preliminary initiatives, share early prototypes, and receive feedback that will inform the next phase of development. This iterative approach continues in January 2026, when the Board will receive its first formal update, including progress on short-term initiatives and alignment with long-term goals.
  
  

  In February, Compass Teams will present refined plans and prototypes to focus groups—including students, faculty/staff, parents, alumni, and alumni parents—to gather feedback and deepen community engagement. Teams will continue to refine their ideas and approaches through the spring, informed by ongoing research, dialogue, and testing.
  
  

  By May 2026, teams will finalize both short-term actions and five-year strategic plans, and present year-to-date accomplishments and future goals to the Board. The year will conclude with internal presentations to faculty and staff in June, celebrating the work completed and reinforcing a shared commitment to the next phase of strategic progress.
  
  

  This structured, collaborative, and forward-thinking implementation process ensures that Wilmington Friends School not only advances its strategic vision—but does so through inclusive inquiry, purposeful experimentation, and a deep commitment to lasting, mission-aligned impact.