Our Programs

Lower School | PK - Grade 5

The Friends lower school program is designed to encourage student voice and full participation, as individuals and as members of a community, in the learning process. Class structures give students the opportunity to work with a varied group of peers.

LOWER SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

> An approach rooted in inquiry and curiosity to foster a love of learning

> Class sizes are small enough for individualized attention but large enough for social-emotional development

> Language arts, math, science, social studies, Spanish, computer science, performing arts, process-oriented visual arts, recess, and PE

> Coding, robotics, and dedicated STEM lab Service-learning and field trips in all grade levels

> Optional band in 4th & 5th grades; optional choir (in addition to music class) in 5th grade; and 5th grade musical

Full-time nurse, counselor, and learning specialists

> After School Program, holiday child care, and summer camp

List of 4 items.

  • Teacher/Student Ratio in Classrooms

    Kindergarten classrooms each have lead teachers with full day associate teachers. In grades one through four, associate teachers are assigned as needed, according to class size and the developmental needs of the students in those grades. This approach allows for greater flexibility in small group work as well as for simultaneous individual and group instruction. This model gives Friends a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring attention to each child.
  • Interdisciplinary Themes

    Much of the lower school curriculum is integrated around themes, and teachers work in teams to coordinate projects across disciplines. For example, a first grader studying ants as part of an insect unit in the homebase classroom might also make a papier maché ant in art class and do internet research on ants with the support of the library media specialist.
  • “Specials” Classes

    Classes beyond the core subjects are known at lower school as “specials.” From kindergarten through fifth grade, every student has classes each week in art, music, physical education, science, Spanish, and technology. Students work with technology includes digital and information literacy, research, and coding. Librarians also work with home base teachers and specialists to integrate skills learned in multiple content areas.
  • Fifth Grade

    Fifth graders continue to have a homebase and integrated curriculum, but in this last year of lower school, they have additional responsibilities and privileges, including participation in the fifth grade musical theater production. Fifth graders are grouped in both home base and color groups, which allows for increased interactions with their peers over the course of the day. Other distinctive features of fifth grade include an overnight community building trip that provides an experience away from home and campus.

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101 School Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
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.