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.
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.
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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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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 -
Middle School Orientation
Today, our 8th-grade WEB leaders welcomed 6th graders and new students to middle school!Read More -
Upper School Orientation
Today, we welcomed our 9th graders and new upper school students to campus for orientation!Read More -
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! -
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! -
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 -
Football Hosts Special Olympics!
On Sunday, the WFS football team hosted athletes from Special Olympics Delaware. WFS student-athletes and Special Olympians participated in various football drills and enjoyed water ice together!Read More -
Throwback Thursday to the WFS Lower School
Read MoreCheck out the earliest image of Friends Lower School children — taken in 1891 in the kindergarten room. Friends' School had the second kindergarten class in Delaware and, for several years, served as a “normal” or training school for kindergarten teachers. The teacher pictured here is Katharine Clark.Our Lower School teachers have begun moving into their cottages this week and are so excited to welcome everyone back. See you soon! -
College Application 101
As part of our comprehensive College Guidance program, we welcomed the Class of 2026 back to campus for Application 101.Read More -
Playing at the Next Level!
Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2025 who will continue their athletic careers at the next level!Read More -
Josh Stiebel '29 Helps Naamans Win Regionals!
Congratulations to Josh Stiebel '29 on helping the Naamans Junior baseball team win the 2025 Junior League East Regional last week!Read More -
Top Three-Sport Athletes in Delaware!
Congratulations to the following WFS student-athletes who were named as some of the top three-sport athletes in the State of Delaware by Delaware Online!Read More -
Jaden Willie ’23 Leads Specialty Cooking Camp!
Thank you to Jaden Willie ’23 for coming back to campus and leading our Specialty Cooking Camp!Read More -
Quaker Matters Podcast: Rose Mulveny ’26
On the latest episode of the Quaker Matters Podcast, Rose Mulveny ’26 reflects on her year abroad in Zaragoza, Spain with the School Year Abroad (SYA) program.Read More -
WFS Students Embarked on a Memorable Journey Through France!
This June, 14 WFS students embarked on a memorable journey through France!Read More -
UPenn Social Innovators Program
Wilmington Friends School partnered with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy and Schoolyard Ventures to offer the Social Innovators Program, a 12-week virtual course in social entrepreneurship for 10th and 11th graders. Through online classes, real-world case studies, and guided project work, students earned a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship while designing and launching ventures to address issues meaningful to them.Read More -
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 -
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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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.
