Community
The 4 Essential Outcomes of Quaker Education
90% of the students who attend Wilmington Friends are non-Quakers. What brings families to Quaker education is often the appeal of an academic program with depth--one that truly asks students to think, to collaborate, to be creative, to take risks--within a caring community that balances focus on the individual with responsibility to the common good.
This mission cultivates four major outcomes for students who attend Wilmington Friends School.
This mission cultivates four major outcomes for students who attend Wilmington Friends School.
- In the Quaker education setting, there is the belief in the unique dignity of each person, which schools have an obligation to recognize and to nurture. And every member of the community shares in that obligation to value what is best in themselves and in others--developing talents to the fullest, and respecting the strengths, efforts, and perspectives of all.
Outcome: students gain confidence and can grow to their fullest potential because their uniqueness is valued as an asset––to themselves and to their peers–– in the learning process.
- A core principle in Quaker education is “continuing revelation,” the idea that the process of learning is continuous through seeking, experience, and reflection. Students at Quaker schools are encouraged to ask questions, to think both independently and cooperatively, to test ideas against experience and new information, to engage in education as a process of exploration and discovery.
Outcome: students learn to be innovative and resourceful people who can see and solve problems, becoming assets to colleges and employers, and as entrepreneurs and change-makers.
- The Quaker testimonies, known by the acronym SPICES, are also evident in Friends schools. The testimonies include stewardship, peace, integrity, community, equality, and simplicity. Again, those guiding values attract families from many faith and spiritual traditions, seeking a school where intellectual endeavor and ethical commitment are mutually reinforcing.
Outcome: students can see beyond themselves, becoming assets to the broader community and to the world.
- Meeting for Worship is at the heart of Quaker practice. Each week we gather together to sit in silence, allowing time for students to listen to their inner voice. If anyone feels moved to share a message with the group, they rise and speak. Often people offer experiences, perspectives, or even a simple encouraging phrase (like our youngest students sharing "Go Eagles!"). Even if no one shares a message during meeting for worship, the silence can be healing, nourishing, and creative.
Outcome: students learn the power of mindfulness, which, in today's world, is an asset to their own continued health and wellness.
We encourage you to learn about Wilmington Friends School's vibrant learning community. Click here to explore Friends and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Please Note: Our news items are grouped by calendar year.
More News
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Class of 2023 Commencement
Read MoreCongratulations to the WFS Class of 2023, who will travel as far as Arizona and Florida and stay as close as Wilmington for their next adventures! -
Fifth Grade NYC Trip
Fifth graders had a great adventure in New York City! They visited the Tenement Museum where they learned more about the immigrant and migrant experience, enjoyed lunch at Madison Square Park, and then went to the National Museum of Mathematics where they participated in activities to illuminate the joy of math!Read More -
Lower School Field Days!
Read MoreFrom preschoolers to fifth graders, our lower school students had a blast this week at their Field Days! They played soccer, ran through obstacle courses, practiced their archery skills, and stayed cool with plenty of water games! -
Big Bang of the Books 2023
Read MoreLower school students again participated in Big Bang of the Books, a reading club shared across WFS, Tatnall, and Tower Hill that includes more than 170 students! The year culminates with a fun spring gathering where students participate in challenges, and this year they got to Zoom with author Gordon Korman, who wrote "The Fort," which was voted favorite book by the students. -
Music in the Parks Winners!
Read MoreCongratulations to our 7th and 8th grade band and choir members who traveled to Hershey Park for the Music in the Parks Festival, where they received a first place, superior rating for band and a first place, excellent rating for choir! -
Asian Affinity Club Visits Lower School
The middle school Asian Affinity Group traveled to the lower school to read stories to students that highlighted Asian history or protagonists. Lower school students loved meeting the middle school students, listening to the stories, and learning more about Asian heritage.Read More -
All Smiles!
The future of Friends looks very bright! Look at the smiles as our preschool kangas, roos, and joeys waited for the bus for their final field trip of the year to the Can-Do Playground!Read More -
Energy Solutions for WFS
Members of the Eco Team met with representatives from Practical Energy Solutions, who had recently completed an energy audit and assessment at WFS, to review their recommendations on how as a school we can improve lighting and internal loads, plumbing and hot water use, our HVAC systems, and increase our solar energy potential. The Eco Team will use these findings to help implement energy solutions across the school.Read More -
Harvesting our Strawberry Crop
Third graders visited the WFS garden last Friday (PJ Day!) to help harvest (and sample!) some of this year's strawberry crop.Read More -
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Spring Concert
So much joy at the third, fourth, and fifth grade spring concert! Congratulations to all our lower school musicians.Read More -
10th Grade Carwash!
Thank you to everyone in the community who came out and supported the 10th grade carwash and bake sale last weekend!Read More -
Fourth Grade "El Clásico" Fútbol Match
Read MoreThis year's annual fourth grade "El Clásico" fútbol match on WFS Mellor Field between Real Madrid and Barcelona ended in a 3-3 tie! -
Juniors Meet with Lower School Buddies!
One of the favorite traditions of senior year at WFS is time spent with first grade buddies. Juniors got a jumpstart on this before the school year ends, meeting with their buddies (current kindergarteners) and having a blast! They can't wait to spend more time together next year.Read More -
Upper School Pops Concert
Read MoreCongratulations and bravo to our upper school students who participated in last week's Pops Concert! -
A Reptile Visit!
As part of his "Quaker Quest" for Quakerism class, Ryan Hill '25 recently spoke to lower school students about his reptile collection, including a spiny tailed iguana, ball python, and isopods.Read More -
Boys' Lacrosse and Girls' Soccer Capture DISC Championships!
Congratulations to the boys' lacrosse team and the girls' soccer team for capturing the DISC Championships in their respective sports!Read More -
Lower School Pre-School/Pre-K and K, 1, 2 Concerts
Read MoreSo much laughter and so many smiles at yesterday's pre-school/pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, first, and second grade concerts! -
Lower School Visits with Author Susan Hood
Lower school students loved learning about the writing process from visiting author, Susan Hood.Read More -
LS Choir Places First in Delaware Music Educator Association's Youth Composers Contest
Read MoreThe WFS fifth grade choir recently won first place in the Delaware Music Educator Association's Youth Composers Contest for the piece they composed, "Live Your Life."
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