While many schools provide opportunities for students to participate in service, QUEST represents our unique brand of service learning, rooted in the Quaker tradition of inquiry, reflection, and continuing revelation.
Beginning in the earliest grades, students are exposed to major needs and themes, locally and globally. From lower school classrooms with service projects that link to the curriculum (e.g. sup- porting a wildlife protection agency during a study of Asia), to middle school advisories that build long-term community partnerships, to the upper school boys lacrosse team that recently coached a group of young players from Wilmington's Hilltop Neighborhood -- WFS is, and always has been, fully committed to the ideals of service learning, and provides opportunities, time, and funding for those ideals to become actionable.
QUEST service learning programs teach students to develop a global understanding of problems and questions they encounter; gives them the skills, motivation and sense of responsibility to engage those questions in thought and in action; and teaches them, in the words of George Fox, to “let your lives preach, let your light shine, that your works may be seen...”
Additional examples of signature QUEST programs include:
QUEST Service/Leadership Trips
These trips engage students in an experiential learning model to increase their understanding of global issues as well as strategies to mitigate the impact of these challenges.
The QUEST Scholars Program
This provides students with significant service learning opportunities that combine academic studies with experiential learning. All upper school students are eligible for participation in the QUEST Scholars program and receive recognition for their achievement during Final Assembly.
Tuesday night’s International Baccalaureate (IB) recital showcased the talents of IB Music HL2 and SL students in an evening of vocal and instrumental performances.
Numerous WFS students were honored at the Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries of the Year Grand Finale Celebration, recognizing their leadership, compassion, and commitment to making a difference in the fight against blood cancer.
The Wilmington Friends School Mock Trial team delivered an outstanding performance at the 35th Annual Delaware High School Mock Trial Competition, competing against 26 teams from across the state. The WFS “A” Team finished 3rd overall, while the “B” Team earned an impressive 9th-place finish.
The WFS College Office recently hosted a Case Studies program for juniors and their parents/guardians. Prior to the program, students and families were given three college applications to read.
Head of School Ken Aldridge visited 2nd graders in February to celebrate "I Love to Read Month," sharing two meaningful stories with students, “The Trouble with Giraffes” and “Strictly No Elephants.”
Bravo to Landis Hershey ’26 (left) and Henrik Maansson ’27 for representing Wilmington Friends School at the 2026 English-Speaking Union Philadelphia Branch Shakespeare Competition!
Wilmington Friends School student-athletes delivered an outstanding week of postseason performances, representing the Blue with pride across the DIAA State Championships. From record-breaking swims and podium finishes to historic wrestling milestones, standout track performances, and a hard-fought basketball season, the Quakers once again showcased the talent, resilience, and leadership that define WFS athletics.
Congratulations to Vincent Jackson ’27 on becoming a published author with the release of his book "Within the Darkness" (you can find it in the WFS library)!
Last week, the WFS Model UN Club, accompanied by faculty advisor Nick Childers, sent a delegation of six students to the Garnet Valley Model UN Conference. This was their first time participating in the Garnet Valley Model UN Conference, and the Quakers built on their experiences from past conferences.
Middle school students had the opportunity to engage with a Black History Month bulletin board created by Sisters of Color members Zoe H. ’30, Maddie W. ’30, and Mia J ’30.
Lower school students shared a heartfelt thank you and goodbye to Friends Village last week, which has been their home throughout the 2025–26 school year during construction.
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.