Wilmington Friends School offers an unsurpassed academic program, and just as important, it is a great place to grow up.
There is no “typical” Friends School student or family. We recognize diversity of thought, identity, and experience as essential to both academic excellence and the character of our community.
Our teachers know our students. They provide individual attention and are deeply invested in students’ growth and success. Because they are known as individuals, students are able to discover and develop the best in themselves. Because they are valued and held to high standards as members of a community, students are motivated to contribute and to lead.
For parents, Friends is a great place to join with other families who share a commitment to education that inspires the best in each student while fostering an active responsibility to the good of all.
School News
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2025 Home & School Back-to-School Picnic!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Saturday’s Home & School Back-to-School Picnic, and to the volunteers who made it possible.Read More
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First Meal Service of the Year: WFS Serves Emmanuel Dining Room
Each month during the school year, Wilmington Friends School continues its long-standing tradition of providing home-cooked meals to the Ministry of Caring’s Emmanuel Dining Room.Read More
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WFS Upper School Students Engage in Service, Growth, and Senior Bonding Traditions
Last week, WFS 9th through 11th graders participated in a day of service, volunteering at Delaware organizations from the New Castle County Hope Center to Friendship House Clothing Bank, and also helping to clean and prepare the WFS garden and greenhouse.Read More
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Kiera Patterson ’20: Applying Data Science to Improve Healthcare Nationwide
“Everything works out,” is the perspective Kiera Patterson ’20 carries with her from her days at WFS through her time at the University of Michigan and MIT, which she recently shared with the WFS upper school Steminist Club.Read More
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IB Diploma Kickoff: 29 Juniors Embrace Academic Rigor, Global Perspective, and Collaboration
29 members of our Junior Class officially kicked off their IB Diploma Journey on Wednesday evening.Read More
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Landis Hershey ’26 Named National Merit Semifinalist
Congratulations to Landis Hershey ’26 on being named as one of 16,000 Semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.Read More
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2025 Alumni Parent Coffee
We are grateful to all of our alumni parents and guardians who joined us for this year’s Alumni Parent & Guardian Coffee on the Jones House Porch.Read More
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Seniors Take the Next Step in Their College Journey
Read MoreNow that most of our seniors have completed their college essays and the Common Application, they are meeting with their WFS college counselor to finalize their college list and plan next steps.
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Celebrating the Legacy of Bob Trinsey
Read MoreThe WFS volleyball program honored the life and legacy of Coach Bob Trinsey last night. Since 1999, Bob and the Trinsey family have shaped Wilmington Friends School volleyball into one of the state’s most respected programs.
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Jimmy Butterfield ’20 Performs!
Read MoreLast week, Jimmy Butterfield’s ’20 band (second from left), Butterfield, played in Eakins Oval in front of the Philly Art Museum. They were the first band on the R&B After Dark Series that night. Mark McMillan ‘20 (far left) and Jack Hanson ‘18 (far right) came to hear them play and had a blast together!
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Thank you to our incredible Building Services and Grounds teams!
Read MoreThank you to our incredible Building Services and Grounds teams for all the behind-the-scenes work that makes our campus ready to welcome students back!
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LS Students Visit "Friends Village"
It was a beautiful day to welcome our lower school students and families to "Friends Village" as they explored their new learning cottages for the very first time!Read More
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Middle School Orientation
Today, our 8th-grade WEB leaders welcomed 6th graders and new students to middle school!Read More
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Upper School Orientation
Today, we welcomed our 9th graders and new upper school students to campus for orientation!Read More
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New Parent & Guardian Reception
Read MoreThank you to all of the new families who joined us for last night’s New Parent & Guardian Reception! Guests were welcomed by Head of School Ken Aldridge, connected with members of the Home & School Association, and learned about the many ways to get involved in our community.A big thanks to our Home & School Association for helping organize this event, greeting families, and sharing the numerous ways they help enhance life at WFS. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to all that we will do together!
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WFS Teachers Move Into "Friends Village" This Week!
Read MoreWFS Lower School teachers spent the past week moving into “Friends Village” and setting up their new classrooms! We can't wait to welcome Lower School families back to campus tomorrow for our Open House. See you soon!
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Felicity Joppa '31 Represents WFS at the CISV Youth Meeting
This summer, Felicity Joppa '31 represented the USA at a CISV Youth Meeting in Brasília, the capital of Brazil, with a delegation from Brandywine Valley CISV. Youth Meetings bring 12-13-year-olds from 8 countries together to learn from each other, build global friendships, and work for peace.Read More
WFS Education and Parenting Blog
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Your Child's Middle School Success: Tips for Parents and Guardians
Read MoreAs your student enters adolescence, you may be wondering how your role in their academic life should evolve.
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Top Tips for Transitioning Your Little Ones Back to School
As school supply lists are distributed and classroom teachers announced, many parents and guardians are beginning to think about the new school year.Read More
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Make the Most of an Admissions Open House
Read MoreWhen researching private schools, attending an admissions open house event is a great opportunity for your family to tour campuses and see where your child could spend their days.And while facilities conducive to learning and state-of-the-art resources are important, families should also look beyond the physical environment. A school’s true strength lies in its culture and academic program.
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Your Role in Your High School Student's College Application Process
Read MoreIf your child is pursuing higher education, at some point you might feel compelled to step into, and perhaps even manage, their college application process.
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The Top Five Ways High Schools Should Prepare Students for College
Read MoreCollege readiness is more than academic achievement—it's about independence, resilience, and developing life skills. When exploring high schools, look for programs that focus not only on academic excellence but also on essential life skills. Here are five key areas where high schools can make a meaningful difference in preparing your student for college (and beyond):
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Getting the Most Out of School Athletics Programs
Whether as a participant or a fan, when we think of our experiences with athletics growing up, big moments come to mind.Read More
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Helping Students Navigate the Digital Landscape with TSI
The digital landscape plays an essential role in the lives of students and adults, and at Wilmington Friends School, we want to equip our students, families, faculty, and staff with the necessary tools to ensure that they make positive and safe decisions online every day.Read More
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Fostering Independence in Your Elementary-School-Aged Child
Read MoreAs children move from early childhood into elementary school, helping them through challenges and opportunities might feel more complicated.
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Why Should Kids Learn to Code? A Delaware School's perspective
Read MoreAs organizations continue to rely on ever-changing technology, computer science has become increasingly more popular in high school and college curricula.
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The 4 Essential Outcomes of Quaker Education
90% of the students who attend Wilmington Friends are non-Quakers.Read More
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What in the World is IB? A Quick Guide from a Delaware IB School
Read MoreMany of us know of Advanced Placement or “AP” courses in high schools, and often see “AP” grouped with “IB” in references to more challenging coursework.
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The Power of Networking in Delaware and Beyond
Networking is one of the most important ways to discover the jobs that are most worthwhile pursuing and learn from others in your field.Read More
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How to Get Back Into Community Service in Delaware and Beyond
Read MoreMany of us are interested in volunteering, but with the demands on our time and attention these days, community service can easily be placed on the back burner.
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Choosing a Middle School in Delaware
Read MoreDeciding to invest in a private school education for your rising middle schooler can feel like an onerous process.
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Summer Math Fun for Elementary School Students
Click Here for Summer Math Fun!Read More
Summertime provides a great opportunity to positively impact your child’s math journey.
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The Gift of Education
Read Morefrom “Reading, Writing and Ciphering”to Broadened Perspectivesof Social Justice and Quaker Values
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Middle School Faculty Pursue Professional Development Opportunities
Several middle school teachers and administrators recently had exciting professional development opportunities!Read More
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Middle School Students Take the Lead on Conferences
Read MoreIn January, WFS middle school students take the reins and lead portfolio-led conferences with parents/guardians and advisors. This approach not only fosters a sense of accountability for the students but also strengthens the partnership between parents/guardians, students, and advisors. The two main objectives of these conferences are:
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Mindful Studying Tips From a Delaware School Counselor
Meditation and breathing exercises can’t tackle your to do list, but they can help you calm down and center you to start again.Read More
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8 Tips for Teaching Your Kids How to Resolve Conflict
“It’s mine!” “No, it’s mine!” Your blood pressure starts rising as you hear your kids yelling at each other in the other room.Read More
Quaker Matters Podcast
Our podcast shines a light on what make WFS such a vibrant and unique learning community that allows students to, in the words of George Fox, "let their lives speak."
Videos
WFS in action! Check out videos of all that's happening at Friends!
On Social
Alumni Spotlights
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Nathaniel Huxtable ’22
“Wilmington Friends School prepared me to get the job done. Whatever task it may be, I am not afraid to take it on and give it my fullest effort. The worst you can do is learn. My WFS education also instilled the Quaker values such as integrity and stewardship through example and engagement, both in the classroom and in the community. I also learned the importance of asking questions not only to learn but to challenge others to do the right thing regardless of what it looks like.”Read More
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Lauren Kerrigan ’13
“It’s the Quaker ‘I to I’ philosophy that I hold so dearly to my heart, that helped prepare me for life after high school. It taught me to approach every person as an equal — to truly listen, understand, and connect without judgment. Its foundation is deep rooted in relationships and respect and it has helped prepare me for a career in Veterinary Medicine.”Read More
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Laura Wolf ’07
“I believe in empowering students and educators alike by fostering collaboration, self-advocacy, and inclusive practices that help every individual reach their fullest potential. WFS laid the foundation for my philosophy of inclusion and collaboration, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”Read More
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Barbara Bovbjerg ’68
“Watch the faculty, not just the ones in your best subjects! And, of course, the staff. They all have something to teach you, regardless of their position at the school.”Read More
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Jesse Miller ’14
“WFS taught me how to work through interpersonal issues starting in Pre-K. Those lessons have stayed with me and shaped how I handle challenges in every setting since.”Read More
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Arlene Spezzaferro ’93
“I attended WFS from Pre-K until graduation, and respect for all people was a central tenant to my education. It frames how I see the world, build relationships, and this inclusive mindset has helped me be successful in so many parts of my life.”Read More
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Willow Pearson Trimbach ’88
“Cultivation of sitting in silence, listening to the voices of spirit within and around me, through meeting for worship. This foundational contemplative practice, which led me to Buddhism, Integral Spirituality and beyond, is the basis of my music, psychotherapy, and teaching.”Read More
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Miles Katzen ’16
“Wilmington Friends School provided me with the foundation for understanding what a community truly is. My teachers, coaches, and classmates helped me learn that a community is not necessarily a physical space but a feeling where everyone is valued and has a sense of belonging. Most importantly, my time at Friends formed my core belief that there is light in everyone and that every human being deserves to live a life of dignity.”Read More
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Osi Chukwuocha ’22
“I believe my time at WFS prepared me for success at CWRU both academically and athletically. Academically, the high rigor of WFS courses like AP Physics gave me a great foundation coming into CWRU. However, I think the most effective tool I learned from WFS was building relationships with teachers. Building relationships with teachers at CWRU has helped me monumentally with assignments and exams.”Read More
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Manny Adebi ’20
Read More“My experience at Wilmington Friends School set me up for success by providing challenging coursework that required critical thinking. Learning how I learned and figuring out a process that worked for me was one of the most important things because regardless of what you want to major in or what sport you want to play at a higher level, you will need to learn the information and how to apply it when it is necessary. Friends helped me facilitate my learning process, and I’ve continued to adapt and improve it based on the situation.”
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Jocelyn Nathan ’23 Wins the National Championship!
Congratulations to Jocelyn Nathan ‘23 and the Penn State University women’s volleyball team on winning the National Championship! In their 3-1 victory over the University of Louisville this afternoon, Nathan recorded a career-high ten digs.Read More
Jocelyn is pictured with her parents, Len and Lynne, and sisters, Dani ‘19 (bottom left) and Alyssa ‘17.
Great work, Jocelyn!
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Madeline Rowland ’23
Read More“My experience at Wilmington Friends School taught me the importance of time management, resilience, and community. Academically, the rigorous curriculum helped me develop my critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and the habits to handle complex material, all of which have equipped me with the tools to excel at Williams.”
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Philip Montigney ’07
“I always mention Wilmington Friends as having an incredible influence in my life as preparation not only for college but well beyond. Acceptance and curiosity in understanding sound simple enough, but as I get older, I realize the world would benefit greatly if more people were taught those lessons at a young age.”Read More
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Zach Williams ’02
“There’s no need to be modest about your ambitions or your hopes. If there is something that you want to do or something that you want to see happen in the world, move toward it one little step at a time, and you can be a part of how things change.”Read More
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Josh Galperin ’00
On the latest episode of the Quaker Matters Podcast, hosted by Piper Roskovensky ’26, Josh Galperin ’00 discusses what it’s like to work in environmental law, what he enjoys most about teaching law, and shares advice to students who are interested in pursuing a career in law.Read More
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Sarah Schenck Maheshwari ’91
Sarah Schenck Maheshwari ’91 joined the Quaker Matters Podcast.Read More
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A Family’s Ties to WFS Since the 18th Century
When Kaylea Ann Donaghy, age 3, walked into Wilmington Friends Lower School in January, 2021, she was not aware that she may well be the ninth generation and 38th member of her family to attend or be involved with the oldest school in Delaware.Read More
101 School Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
302.576.2900 | info@wilmingtonfriends.org
Preschool - 12th Grade
302.576.2900 | info@wilmingtonfriends.org
Preschool - 12th Grade
Statement of Nondiscrimination as to Student Enrollment
Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
