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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Quaker Matters Podcast: Reese Bryson ’25 and Charlie Bradford
As part of her Senior Exploration, Reese Bryson ’25 interviewed Charlie Bradford for the Quaker Matters Podcast.Read More
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Thank you!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following retirees, whose dedication, leadership, and care have made a lasting impact on the Wilmington Friends School community!Read More
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IB Extended Essays
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is often considered the highest standard for college preparatory education. This year, 29 members from the Class of 2025 were IB diploma candidates.Read More
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Final Assembly: Celebrating the Class of 2025!
At Final Assembly, we gathered to honor and celebrate the Class of 2025!Read More
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Max Leffler ’22 Gives Back
Max Leffler ’22 recently hosted his 5th Annual Disc Golf Tournament, raising $5,200 in support of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and its mission to fight childhood cancer.Read More
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QUEST Term Service & Leadership Trip
At the start of summer break, 15 Wilmington Friends Upper School students traveled to El Paso, Texas, as part of a QUEST Term Service/Leadership Trip. This immersive experience combines global education, leadership development, and community engagement.Read More
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Middle School Mastery Projects
Read MoreThe mastery program in middle school is a semester or year-long, student-initiated and student-produced project designed to develop that student's talents, interests, and skills. The emphasis is on achievement and completing a finished product that is either presented or displayed publicly in a polished, masterful way. Mastery projects may include academic research papers, visual and performing arts projects or performances, special teaching units, and physical projects.
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4th Grade Electric Convention
4th graders held their annual electric convention, an opportunity to showcase their electric projects to lower school students and faculty!Read More
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Lower School Field Days
Read MoreSo much laughter and fun (for the grown ups, too!) at this week's lower school field days. Bring on summer! For more photos, visit our Smugmug page (password can be found in the Friends on Friday message). Photos courtesy of WFS Yearbook
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The Sunny Side of Wellness
For Mental Health Awareness Month, middle and upper school students answered the question "How will you take care of your wellness this summer?" The Quaker Cares committee then created a vision board with the many responses!Read More
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Music in the Parks Winners!
Congratulations to our middle school band and choir, who were both winners at last week's Music in the Parks competition in Hershey, Pennsylvania!Read More
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TED Talks, Mini Society, and Learning about National Parks
Exciting things are happening at the lower school these last few days of school!Read More
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Senior Explorations 2025
Read MoreCelebrations for the Class of 2025 have begun, and last night was Senior Exploration Night, where members of the Class of 2025 presented the projects they’ve been working on for the last month.
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Yearbook Distribution!
Middle and upper school students enjoyed ice cream and time with friends at yesterday's 2024-2025 yearbook distribution! The end is in sight!Read More
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Lower School Culture Quest Celebrates Juneteenth
Read MoreOur final Lower School Culture Quest was a celebration of Juneteenth! Students explored the significance of Juneteenth through hands-on activities, music, food, and arts and crafts. It was a fun and meaningful way to learn about and honor this important day!
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Preschool "Informance"
We wrapped up our spring concert series today with a preschool "informance," where our youngest students showcased their singing, dancing, and instrument playing!Read More
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Middle School 5K
One of our most beloved spring traditions...the middle school 5K! Costumed students (everything from the cast of Scooby Doo to famous athletes) walked and ran the Alapocas neighborhood all to benefit a good cause.Read More
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Preschool Field Day
So much fun at last week's preschool field day! Photos courtesy of WFS Yearbook.Read More
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Upper School Kindness Chain
L-T Alleyne '26 sparked a chain of kindness in our upper school with a simple idea: write a thoughtful note to someone you don’t usually talk to—and pass it on. Thanks to everyone who took part, this sweet gesture made its way through our community, one kind message at a time.Read More
WFS Education and Parenting Blog
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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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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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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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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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Key Take-Aways from Our Networking Panel
Wilmington Friends kicked off the 275th Webinar Series on Thursday, November 9, with "How Networking Enhances Your Brand," featuring Andy McEnroe '04, Managing Director for Raymond James; Monterry Luckey, Deputy Director of the Delaware Workforce Development Board; and Lynne M. Williams, Executive Director of Great Careers Group & BENG; and moderated by Connor Dalton ’08.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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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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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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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
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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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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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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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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 4 Essential Outcomes of Quaker Education
90% of the students who attend Wilmington Friends are non-Quakers.Read More
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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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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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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.
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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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
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Chris Loeffler ’00
Chris Loeffler ’00 currently serves as the Interim Head of Lower School.Read More
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John Bonifaz ’84
Voices of Friends: John Bonifaz ’84, Co-Founder and President at Free Speech For PeopleRead More
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Ethan Cooperson ’87
Voices of Friends: Ethan Cooperson ’87 is a Senior Researcher at Stats Perform.Read More
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Meryl Gatti ’15
Meryl Gatti ’15 currently serves as an Entity Management Product Trainer for CSC.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.
