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The 4 Essential Outcomes of Quaker Education
90% of the students who attend Wilmington Friends are non-Quakers.
What brings families to Quaker education is often the appeal of an academic program with depth--one that truly asks students to think, to collaborate, to be creative, to take risks--within a caring community that balances focus on the individual with responsibility to the common good.
This mission cultivates four major outcomes for students who attend Wilmington Friends School.
We encourage you to learn about Wilmington Friends School's vibrant learning community. Click here to explore Friends and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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This mission cultivates four major outcomes for students who attend Wilmington Friends School.
- In the Quaker education setting, there is the belief in the unique dignity of each person, which schools have an obligation to recognize and to nurture. And every member of the community shares in that obligation to value what is best in themselves and in others--developing talents to the fullest, and respecting the strengths, efforts, and perspectives of all.
Outcome: students gain confidence and can grow to their fullest potential because their uniqueness is valued as an asset––to themselves and to their peers–– in the learning process.
- A core principle in Quaker education is “continuing revelation,” the idea that the process of learning is continuous through seeking, experience, and reflection. Students at Quaker schools are encouraged to ask questions, to think both independently and cooperatively, to test ideas against experience and new information, to engage in education as a process of exploration and discovery.
Outcome: students learn to be innovative and resourceful people who can see and solve problems, becoming assets to colleges and employers, and as entrepreneurs and change-makers.
- The Quaker testimonies, known by the acronym SPICES, are also evident in Friends schools. The testimonies include stewardship, peace, integrity, community, equality, and simplicity. Again, those guiding values attract families from many faith and spiritual traditions, seeking a school where intellectual endeavor and ethical commitment are mutually reinforcing.
Outcome: students can see beyond themselves, becoming assets to the broader community and to the world.
- Meeting for Worship is at the heart of Quaker practice. Each week we gather together to sit in silence, allowing time for students to listen to their inner voice. If anyone feels moved to share a message with the group, they rise and speak. Often people offer experiences, perspectives, or even a simple encouraging phrase (like our youngest students sharing "Go Eagles!"). Even if no one shares a message during meeting for worship, the silence can be healing, nourishing, and creative.
Outcome: students learn the power of mindfulness, which, in today's world, is an asset to their own continued health and wellness.
We encourage you to learn about Wilmington Friends School's vibrant learning community. Click here to explore Friends and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Please Note: Our news items are grouped by calendar year.
More News
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Upper School Students Hear Inspiring Story of Ricky Singh
Read MoreRicky Singh, the first person to summit Mount Everest and complete 50 marathons in 50 states, recently visited the Asian Student Union Club to share how he got into running and the mindset that fueled his journey. -
Upper School Arts Trip to Washington, D.C.
Upper School Power and Performance English classes, International Baccalaureate Higher Level Visual Arts students, Visual Art Majors, and 3D Design students traveled to Washington, D.C., for a research field trip that took them on a cultural odyssey!Read More -
College Case Studies Program
Read MoreThe WFS College Office recently hosted a Case Studies program for juniors and their grownups. Prior to the program, students and adults were given three college applications to read. -
Upper School French Students Perfect Language Skills
Read MoreUpper School French students have been perfecting their language skills in the most delicious ways—French 2 students competed in a Top Chef Crêpes competition, while International Baccalaureate HL French students created a tarte au citron! -
Happy Panda Day 2025!
Happy Panda Day 2025! A new and beloved Lower School tradition on the day before Spring Break, students enjoyed a variety of activities, including visiting with a therapy dog, making special panda bookmarks and bird feeders, buddy reading, practicing Aikido and yoga, and completing several service projects.Read More -
IB Recital
Read MoreTuesday night’s International Baccalaureate recital showcased the talents of IB Music HL1 and HL2 students in an evening of vocal performances. Soprano vocalists Ella Morton ’25 and Piper Roskovensky ’26 presented a program of diverse repertoire featuring contemporary, traditional, and musical theatre selections. -
Middle School French Students Visit Martinique
In February, middle school French students visited Martinique, a French overseas department in the Caribbean.Read More -
First Graders Meet with Elder Buddies
Read MoreFirst graders had a blast spending time and baking with their Elder Buddies! -
IB Science Students Visit University of Delaware
International Baccalaureate chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science students visited the University of Delaware for a collaborative science project.Read More -
WFS Mock Trial Team Finishes Second in Delaware!
Read MoreThe WFS Mock Trial team had an outstanding performance at this year's state competition, finishing second in the state! -
3rd Graders Learn About Balance
Read More3rd grade students explored the concept of balance by working in pairs to create multiple types of sculptures. -
Jazz Band Participates in Improvisation Workshop
Read MoreThe Upper School Jazz Band recently had the opportunity to work with Blayne Salerni in a workshop on improvisation. Mr. Salerni, the band director at Smyrna Middle School, has led jazz improvisation workshops throughout Delaware for middle and high school students, as well as music educators -
Lower Schoolers Learn about Service
Braeden Mannering, the founder of 3B: Brae's Brown Bags, visited our lower school students to share his journey of creating a nonprofit that provides healthy snack bags to those in need. Braeden highlighted the importance of kindness, service, and how even young people can make a big impact in their communities.Read More -
Upper School Students Attend Youth Environmental Summit
Upper school students recently attended Delaware's Youth Environmental Summit (YES!) held at the Chase Riverfront Center.Read More -
Lower School Students Study Important Figures in Black History
This year, WFS lower schoolers were lucky enough to pair their studies of important figures in Black history with a visit from author Lesa Cline-Ransome, who has written many books about important people in Black history. Each class chose a book written by Cline-Ransome for their study. Class posters are currently on display in the lower school lobby!Read More -
6th Grade Students Develop Surveys in IT Literacy Course
As part of their IT Literacy course, 6th grade students are developing and analyzing surveys on topics related to middle school life, learning how to craft effective questions and interpret results.Read More -
Class of 2027 Visits National Museum of African American History and Culture
Read MoreThe Class of 2027 visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture as part of their continuing study of American history. -
Preschool "Informance"
Read MoreAt our preschool "informance," our youngest students showcased their singing, dancing, and instrument playing! -
8th Graders Learn about Constitutional Rights
As part of their unit on the constitution, 8th grade students recently met with Judge Eliza Hirst. Eliza and her colleague Paige Chapman delivered an engaging presentation focused on young people's constitutional rights.Read More -
DISC Championship Results!
The following WFS student-athletes placed amongst the top-three in their respective events/weight classes in the DISC Championships.Read More
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101 School Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
302.576.2900 | info@wilmingtonfriends.org
Preschool - 12th Grade
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.
