Service learning is a foundation of Quaker education, linking the classroom to the world and building our students’ sense of responsibility as members of communities, large and small.
At Wilmington Friends School, this begins in lower school where each classroom organizes service projects throughout the year, often with links to the curriculum.
Students entering middle school seek more responsibility and want to contribute to the greater community as they become more independent. At WFS, the 7th grade service project gives them the space to do so. Students plan and embark on an off-campus stewardship project where they perform at least three hours of community service with an organization of their choosing.
Once their stewardship project is complete, students share their reflections with their classmates. Presenting from anywhere between 90 seconds and four minutes, students discuss why they chose their specific organization, what they enjoyed most about their experience, difficulties that they encountered along the way, and what they learned about themselves and their community. This also serves as a space for students to work on their presentation skills; they try their best to make eye contact with their classmates and avoid crutch words like “um” and “uh.”
After presenting, students immediately receive feedback from their teacher and classmates. Their peers tell the presenter what they did well in their presentations, and one thing they need to work on for future presentations. Subsequently, the teacher prompts the class to contemplate the broader significance and implications of the student’s project. For example, if a student collected canned food for a food drive, the teacher will spend a few minutes talking about world hunger and how community efforts can help address these issues. The goal is to help students gain a better understanding of real-world issues and encourage them to take responsibility towards societal issues.
The 7th grade stewardship project also lays a strong foundation for their future service endeavors as upper school students. During their four years in upper school, students are tasked with completing at least 50 hours of service with a single organization. By beginning this process at an early age with hands-on experiences and meaningful interactions, students move beyond “counting hours” and instead, truly understand the impact they can make on their community.
WFS recently hosted a workshop for the Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA), gathering kindergarten through college Chinese educators to exchange ideas and experiences on organizing summer study abroad tours.
Gavin Jefferson '26 became involved with the Jester Artspace for a project in his Quakerism class, and continued helping the organization even after his project was complete. Click here to read more.
I am excited to announce that Chris Loeffler ’00 has been appointed the next Head of Lower School. Chris’s philosophy that education extends beyond knowledge acquisition to making the world a better place along with his comprehensive understanding of our school community make him uniquely qualified for this role.
Upper school students visited with Lindsay Rademaker Reinhold '94 during a Lunch and Learn hosted by the Service Committee to hear more about the work she does with Canine Partners for Life and how they can become involved with the organization. Students also got to meet Lindsay's current puppy-in-training, Abby!
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.
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.