Welcome to our new Head of Upper School, J.R. Neiswender!
J.R. comes to us from The New School in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he has served as Head of Upper School since 2020. Over his four years there, J.R. developed an interim term program consisting of 2-week experiential “mini” courses; created a seminar program for students with weekly sessions on topics such as wellness, study skills, and college counseling; and worked on setting up K-12 community group structures to facilitate better cross-divisional communication and understanding.
“I am most enthusiastic to return to Quaker education after a few years away. The way students, families, faculty, and staff come together to form a thoughtful and caring educational community has been a hallmark of my experience at two previous Quaker schools, and in my brief time getting to know members of the Wilmington Friends community, I was excited to find the same enthusiasm and energy for Quaker principles and the way those principles inform and govern the various elements of school life. I am extremely excited to get on campus and join the vibrant WFS community,” J.R. said.
With an A.B. degree in history from Princeton University and an M.A. from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College at Columbia University, J.R. has had an extensive career in independent schools over the past 31 years, including 11 years at two Quaker schools: Friends School Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland, and Abington Friends School in Abington, Pennsylvania.
J.R.’s appointment came after an extensive national search. Approximately 50 candidates applied for the position, the search committee interviewed eight semifinalists, and three finalists visited campus. During each two-day visit, various stakeholders––including faculty, staff, students, parents, administrators, and trustees––interviewed the candidates.
J.R. begins on July 1, 2024, and we are excited to welcome him to the community!
Yesterday was our first lower school Culture Quest, an exciting opportunity for students to learn more about other cultures. This first event in this school year-long series explored the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah through reading, crafts, and food!
Middle School Bonding Day is an important tradition at the beginning of each school year where our middle school grades take a day away for fun games and activities to help them bond as a class.
Parents and guardians were treated to performances by the Jazz Band and Chamber Singers at yesterday's upper school back to school night. #WFSArts #WFSUpperSchool
The annual upper school Clubs and Committees Fair allows students to learn about the many clubs and committees at WFS. From the Economics Club to Quaker Cares, there's something for everyone! #WFSUpperSchool #WFSBeyondtheClassroom #WFSLeadership
Members of the WFS Class of 2025 gathered this morning for a Senior Sunrise Breakfast, hosted by the Senior Class Reps and Senior Fun Club (held inside due to inclement weather!)
Congratulations to WFS seniors Logan Scott, Gabe Fletcher, and Gigi Facciolo, who were named Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program!
Last week, WFS 9th through 11th graders participated in a day of service, volunteering at Delaware organizations from the New Castle County Hope Center to Friendship House Clothing Bank, among others.
Delaware's First Spouse, Tracey Quillen Carney '80, visited with PreK and Kindergarten classes to read her newly published book "Books for Blue," which is also illustrated by WFS alum Emily David Hershman '09!
WFS juniors who are beginning the International Baccalaureate Diploma program gathered for dinner last week to learn more about what's next in their academic journey.
Upper school fall sports captains welcomed lower school students this morning at carline! They also played soccer and basketball with them on the playground before classes started.
Yuanyi Zhao '26, Ava Kolodczak '26, Lulu Cochran '25, Cora Lohkamp '26, Gianna Cottone '26, and Ella Fontanazza '26 recently participated in The Perry Initiative, a non-profit organization that partners with the University of Delaware to inspire young women to pursue careers in engineering and orthopaedic surgery.
Thank you to all who joined us for Saturday's Home & School picnic and to our volunteers for making it possible! From bouncy houses to face painting, everyone had a blast!
It was a beautiful day to welcome our students and families back to campus for our lower school open house, middle school and upper school orientations, and the senior ice cream social. #WFSlowerschool#WFSmiddleschool#WFSupperschool
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.