Wilmington Friends School is a preschool-12th grade, Quaker school, in Wilmington, Delaware. Today, the school is just above 7% Quaker. At Friends, global education encompasses signature international programs and an overall approach that teaches students to engage complex issues intellectually and in action, in and outside of the classroom, with a sense of confidence and responsibility. The school was founded in 1748 by members of the Wilmington Monthly Meeting of Friends. Wilmington Friends School originally aimed to provide education for children belonging to the Society of Friends and to poor children, whatever their race, religion, or family's financial circumstance. Delaware historian Benjamin Ferris wrote in the 19th century "Thousands of children have there received the first rudiments of an English education." As Delaware started offering public education, the School moved toward its current all college-preparatory program. In 1937, the Friends School moved from its original site to its current location in Alapocas, just outside the city. Wilmington Friends School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization and School Year Abroad. Friends integrates global perspective throughout its curriculum, and emphasizes athletics, the arts, and service as integral to the program of studies.
Religious Component
Students are not required to be Quaker to attend Friends, but the school does expect students to embody the "Quaker SPICES", those being simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. Both the Lower School and the Upper/Middle School are equipped with Meeting Rooms in which students meet every week for Meeting for Worship, a time of silent reflection. While in Middle School, students sit for only 25 minutes, Upper School Students meet for 45. Meeting for Worship takes many forms, the most common of which is silent. Occasionally such options as Meeting for Singing, Meeting for Doodling, Meeting in Advisory, and Meeting in Small Groups take place.
