Over the last few months we have been in the process of filling two critical positions on campus: our new Director of Equity, Justice, Community, and Engagement and our Assistant Head of School for Academics.
We are pleased to announce that current upper school math teacher Erica Childs will serve as our new Director of Equity, Justice, Community, and Engagement. Erica’s leadership has been displayed to our community, most notably through our READ (Read and Educate ourselves on Anti-Racism and Diversity) sessions over the past two academic years. Additionally, Erica is a strong problem-solver, a good communicator, and has a vision for growing and deepening our diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
We are also pleased to announce that we have appointed Ed Gallagher as our next Assistant Head of School for Academics. Ed currently serves as the Interim Head of School at AIM Academy in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Ed brings a wide range of experiences to his work at Friends and holds a doctorate in educational leadership and organization from the University of Pennsylvania. Along with his extensive experience and strong recommendations, from both colleagues and students, Ed brings a warm and engaging presence to WFS. One of Ed's references described him as a person "who values community and building relationships with others."
Please join us in welcoming both Erica and Ed into their new roles. We are so grateful to have them in our community and look forward to their important work.
WFS juniors who are beginning the International Baccalaureate Diploma program gathered for dinner to learn more about what's next in their academic journey. The IB emphasizes high academic standards, global perspective, informed and engaged citizenship, respect for others, and the active application of classroom experience.
Middle school Chinese teacher Jianglin Shi presented at the Delaware Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (DECTFL) Conference at the University of Delaware.
The WFS college counseling team began welcoming colleges and universities to campus this week, hosting representatives from 24 schools. Interested junior and senior students can attend these meetings to introduce themselves to regional admissions representatives, learn more about the institutions, ask questions, and share their interest in the schools.
Students in the upper school Smart Machines class began the year with a cup-stacking challenge (with a twist) to prepare them for the hands-on labs and group projects they will complete this semester. Requiring communication, patience, and teamwork, groups of four used a rubber band with attached pieces of yarn to move the cups to the correct location without touching the cups with their hands!
This week kicked off with faculty meetings and professional development , along with a lovely event with our new parents and guardians. And student orientation day did not disappoint, with energy filling both campuses!
The WFS football team hosted the Special Olympics Delaware Flag Football Clinic on Saturday afternoon. WFS student-athletes and Special Olympians participated in a variety of drills together, working on their passing, receiving, and blocking skills!
Gavin Gray ’28 was one of three WFS students who participated in the UPenn Social Innovators Program this spring. This 12-week virtual program allows students to learn more about social entrepreneurship and earn a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania.
The WFS field hockey seniors ran a clinic for 5th through 8th grade students on Thursday afternoon. Participants worked on their dribbling, passing, and receiving skills throughout the morning.
New faculty and staff members began their orientation this week! Over the next couple of days, they’ll dive into the history of WFS, explore Quaker Faith and Practice, connect with their mentors, and enjoy activities like “Who’s Who?” and Friends Trivia.
“My kids had the benefit of learning from incredibly talented faculty, being part of a caring and loving community that truly values seeing people for who they are, and what they might not realize they can be.”
On the latest episode of the Quaker Matters Podcast, WFS Director of Athletics Brad Greenman breaks down his first year, the lessons that student-athletes learn through athletics, and his hopes for the 2026–27 school year.
The Class of 2027 participated in the College Counseling Office's annual Application 101, where students completed the Common Application and refined their essays. The workshop was led by Interim Director of College Counseling, Rose Gnade, who has served on the College Counseling team since 2017.
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.