Community
Parenting and Education Blog
Make the Most of an Admissions Open House
When researching private schools, attending an admissions open house event is a great opportunity for your family to tour campuses and see where your child could spend their days.
And while facilities conducive to learning and state-of-the-art resources are important, families should also look beyond the physical environment. A school’s true strength lies in its culture and academic program.
Before the Open House, Decide What is Important to You
To discover more about culture and program, it’s a good idea to talk about what is important to you and your child before heading off to the event.
For example, if a holistic approach to education is important to you, pay attention to the warmth, openness, and professionalism of the educators, as their approach to teaching and mentoring will have a lasting impact on your child's experience. A welcoming, supportive community that fosters strong relationships often contributes more to student success and well-being than any building or technology.
If you value a student-centered philosophy to education, pay close attention to how teachers engage students in the learning process. Look for evidence of a dynamic approach, where teachers encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration rather than relying solely on lectures or rote memorization.
If you are looking for a program to help your child gain confidence and develop independence, consider whether the curriculum is challenging yet supportive. Ask how teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, offering individualized attention and fostering an inclusive environment. The best academic programs inspire curiosity, adapt to various learning styles, and prepare students with the skills to apply knowledge in real-world contexts.
Helpful Questions to Ask
After deciding what your main priorities are, it’s a good idea to jot down some questions to bring to the event. Below are some suggestions, but a family should decide which ones work best for them.
Academics
- What is the student-teacher ratio, and how does that impact the learning experience?
- How are students challenged academically, and what support systems are in place for those who need help?
- How is technology integrated into the curriculum at each division level?
- How do teachers incorporate the outdoors into their curriculum?
- Are there opportunities for experiential learning? Do students have opportunities to connect with professionals in the surrounding community?
Extracurricular Activities
- What extracurricular programs, including sports, arts, and clubs, are most popular among students?
- Do all students have to participate in sports, arts, and clubs?
- Are there opportunities for students to take leadership roles in clubs or activities?
- How does the school support students who wish to start their own clubs or initiatives?
School Culture and Values
- What are the school’s values and how do they shape the culture and approach to education?
- Can you share more about the diversity and inclusion initiatives at the school? How does the school foster a sense of belonging among students from different backgrounds?
- How do students engage in service work within the school and community of Wilmington?
Student Life and Support
- What kind of support is available for students’ mental and emotional well-being across each division?
- How does the school facilitate the transition for new students, especially those entering mid-year or at different grade levels?
College Preparation and Guidance
- How early do students begin the college planning process?
- What kind of college counseling resources are available for parents?
- Are there any unique programs or partnerships that help students with college readiness?
Parent Involvement
- How are parents engaged with the school community and in their child’s education?
- What are some of the ways the school communicates with parents about their child’s progress and school events?
Deciding on the right school for your child is a big decision, and a school’s open house is one step along the journey. At Wilmington Friends, we also offer private tours and student shadow days, and our Admissions staff is always to help answer any questions.
Please Note: Our news items are grouped by calendar year.
More News
-
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
1
/
20
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.
