Community
Make the Most of an Admissions Open House
When 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.
Before the Open House, Decide What is Important to You
To discover more about culture and program, it’s a good idea to talk about what is important to you and your child before heading off to the event.
For example, if a holistic approach to education is important to you, pay attention to the warmth, openness, and professionalism of the educators, as their approach to teaching and mentoring will have a lasting impact on your child's experience. A welcoming, supportive community that fosters strong relationships often contributes more to student success and well-being than any building or technology.
If you value a student-centered philosophy to education, pay close attention to how teachers engage students in the learning process. Look for evidence of a dynamic approach, where teachers encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration rather than relying solely on lectures or rote memorization.
If you are looking for a program to help your child gain confidence and develop independence, consider whether the curriculum is challenging yet supportive. Ask how teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, offering individualized attention and fostering an inclusive environment. The best academic programs inspire curiosity, adapt to various learning styles, and prepare students with the skills to apply knowledge in real-world contexts.
Helpful Questions to Ask
After deciding what your main priorities are, it’s a good idea to jot down some questions to bring to the event. Below are some suggestions, but a family should decide which ones work best for them.
Academics
- What is the student-teacher ratio, and how does that impact the learning experience?
- How are students challenged academically, and what support systems are in place for those who need help?
- How is technology integrated into the curriculum at each division level?
- How do teachers incorporate the outdoors into their curriculum?
- Are there opportunities for experiential learning? Do students have opportunities to connect with professionals in the surrounding community?
Extracurricular Activities
- What extracurricular programs, including sports, arts, and clubs, are most popular among students?
- Do all students have to participate in sports, arts, and clubs?
- Are there opportunities for students to take leadership roles in clubs or activities?
- How does the school support students who wish to start their own clubs or initiatives?
School Culture and Values
- What are the school’s values and how do they shape the culture and approach to education?
- Can you share more about the diversity and inclusion initiatives at the school? How does the school foster a sense of belonging among students from different backgrounds?
- How do students engage in service work within the school and community of Wilmington?
Student Life and Support
- What kind of support is available for students’ mental and emotional well-being across each division?
- How does the school facilitate the transition for new students, especially those entering mid-year or at different grade levels?
College Preparation and Guidance
- How early do students begin the college planning process?
- What kind of college counseling resources are available for parents?
- Are there any unique programs or partnerships that help students with college readiness?
Parent Involvement
- How are parents engaged with the school community and in their child’s education?
- What are some of the ways the school communicates with parents about their child’s progress and school events?
Deciding on the right school for your child is a big decision, and a school’s open house is one step along the journey. At Wilmington Friends, we also offer private tours and student shadow days, and our Admissions staff is always to help answer any questions.
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.
