Student Experience
We nurture our students to become well-rounded, confident individuals capable of success and happiness is any context.
A student’s learning journey is not meant to be measured by empirical objectives alone. Children thrive when they are encouraged to be their most authentic selves and in an environment where intellectual stimulation and character development go hand-in-hand. The FSW experience—or the aspects of student life that go beyond curriculum—is carefully tailored to weave our core values across every facet of the whole child--intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and ethical.
We nurture our students to become well-rounded, confident individuals capable of success and happiness is any context. They engage in hands-on scientific inquiry, volunteer with underserved community groups, exercise their bodies in the sunshine, and participate in after-school speciality clubs. Above all, they witness the transformative power of education and its capacity to materialize in innovative and exciting ways. Learning extends far beyond the classroom walls and we intentionally work to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of our best selves.
The FSW Student Experience
Quaker "SPICES"
Truth is not a rigid set of facts passed down from teacher to student. Instead, it is a dynamic process, and one that is continuously shaped through dialogue, inquiry, and reflection. Whether in the classroom, through community work, or during weekly moments of silent reflection, every voice is valued and part of the process to seek truths together.
Everything we do is grounded in our founding Quaker values—Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship (or the "SPICES"). We encourage our students to lead adventurous, imaginative, and ethical lives. Our graduates not only leave with academic skills but also
skills and knowledge but with a deep internal compass to guide them. In this way, Friends School of Wilmington prepares students to “let their lives speak.”
Community Building
Research continues to show that the Pre-K through 8th grade educational model offers students distinct advantages. Our school is a place where everyone knows everyone else’s name. Teachers and administrators are able to create real relationships with students. Our cross-grade buddy system, mixed-age Middle School advisories, multi-grade projects, and all-school community events ensure that students at different grade levels know each other in very authentic ways.
Beyond our campus community, service learning is also intentionally centered as part of our educational approach. Students engage in projects that directly impact our local neighborhoods, helping them understand the power of collective action and service to a greater cause. Whether working side-by-side in philanthropic projects or coming together for community-building events, students of all ages learn the importance of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. The result is a strong community where children have a greater sense of confidence and feel safe to engage with their learning journeys in deeply profound ways.
Clubs & Programs
As students progress through FSW's three school divisions, more and more opportunities become available for them to explore personal interests outside the classroom and to develop leadership skills as peer mentors . From competitive academic teams like our Lower School and Middle School Science Olympiad to faculty-run clubs like Cooking with Corrie and community partnerships with organizations like Kindermusik with Sarah, Soccer Shots, and Hummingbirds Yoga, there are so many ways to get involved. Here's what we're offering for the first trimester of the 24-25 school year:
- Stepping Stones Kindermusik with Sarah
- Stargazer Kindermusik with Sarah
- Soccer Shots
- Yoga for K-2nd
- Yoga for 3rd-5th
- Weird Science
- Robotics
- Healthy Kids Running Series
- Kids Run the Nation
Sports
At Friends School of Wilmington, athletics offer every student an opportunity to participate in team sports, regardless of skill level. While winning is always exciting, the true value of our athletics program lies in the life lessons learned throughout the season. It’s about the personal drive to improve oneself and the sense of responsibility that our student-athletes develop toward their teammates and coaches; the grace they show to competitors, regardless of score, and the resiliency required to balance rigorous academics with athletic commitments.
Through participation in our athletics program, our students gain skills that help them to succeed in all areas of life: developing discipline, uplifting teamwork, persevering through challenge. Here, athletics aren't just about the game; they’re about preparing our students to navigate their futures with confidence, integrity, and commitment.
