2017 Wilmington Friends School viewbook

Wilmington Friends School

Welcome

Ken Aldridge, Head of School

Quaker matters.

95% of families who choose Friends School are not Quaker.

So why do we say that “Quaker matters”? Because at Friends, as a natural – and certain – consequence of our Quaker DNA: • Students learn to challenge themselves to their absolute best with a sense of responsibility to the common good.

• The intellectual/academic foundation is defined by questioning, discovery, and relevance.

• Each student is known and valued as an individual.

• Students and families representing a variety of identities and experiences feel welcome.

• Mindfulness, character education/service, stewardship, and a commitment to diversity and social justice are part of our founding and permanent mission.

Foundations Respect Respect for each individual in the context of community responsibility led Quakers as early as the 1600s to support education for all children—regardless of race, religion, or economic means—both for the good of the children and for the good of society.

The conviction that every person has an essential worth that commands respect, and an ability and obligation to contribute that should be nurtured, continues as a major influence in Friends education.

Innovation Also of continuing importance is the Quaker belief that truth is not static, but rather is revealed and informed through an ongoing process of research, questioning, and reflection, with an openness to the new information and insights. That foundation leads naturally to inquiry- and discovery-based education and to a mindset of continuing innovation.

Leadership Throughout its history, Friends School has been a pioneer in education—providing tuition aid since the 1700s; teaching global geography since the early 1800s; developing Delaware’s first kindergarten; hosting international students since 1947; and becoming the state’s first school to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB), to join the School Year Abroad (SYA) consortium, and to be selected for the national Malone Scholars Program and to join the Malone Schools Online Network (MSON).

Recent innovations include an interdivisional Chinese language and culture program (2011) and a nationally recognized “one-to-one” laptop program (2012).

Now & Next From 2009-2015, Wilmington Friends built upon its commitment to continuing innovation, opening a series of new and renovated facilities—including design and flex labs, small group study rooms, athletic fields and courts, the Friends Theater, and studio space—to support student inquiry and initiative, collaboration and creativity. The facilities reflect and advance the program at Friends, evolving to prepare students for the fast-changing—indeed, largely unknown—world of their future: • Friends students develop the habits of mind and transferable skills to be lifelong learners who communicate, act, and lead effectively.

• They learn how to question, how to listen, and how to work with people with a variety of points of view.

• And they learn that the faster the world changes, the more important their own foundation of values and ethics becomes.

Challenge Friends offers an unsurpassed learning program, from the Reggio Emilia inspired preschool to the International Baccalaureate in the junior and senior years. It is a program with depth—one that truly asks students to think, both independently and collaboratively—distinguished by the engagement of complex questions intellectually and in action. The nationally recognized QUEST Center (Quaker Center for Understanding, Engagement, and Stewardship) provides a structure for integrated academic and experiential learning, an approach that helps our students to develop not only the skills but also the confidence to approach new challenges.

Discovery A principle of Quakerism that has a defining influence on the Friends educational philosophy is “continuing revelation,” the idea that truth is continually revealed through seeking, experience, and reflection. In a process that is intellectually and personally demanding— and exciting—for both students and teachers, learning at Friends requires: • Asking questions and taking risks.

• Testing ideas against experience and new information.

• Engaging in education as a process of exploration and discovery.

Teaching Challenge and discovery define not only learning but also teaching at Friends School. What makes Friends teachers truly masterful is not just their subject knowledge or training—about 60% of Wilmington Friends teachers hold advanced degrees; virtually all lead teachers come to Friends with extensive classroom experience; and ongoing professional development is standard. But most distinctive is the ability to foster a genuine connection among the students, teacher, and curriculum. Friends teachers focus on student experience and growth, within the discipline of high expectations for intellectual pursuit and community responsibility and with an openness to the unexpected. Beyond the content and skill standards for each class, Friends teachers work to prepare students for what comes next—to engage ideas, challenges, opportunities, questions, and other people in more meaningful and effective ways.

Global Global learning at Friends includes signature programs: • The International Baccalaureate (IB) • School Year Abroad (SYA) • Three modern languages, including an interdivisional Chinese program • Singapore Math (“Math in Focus”), grades K-8 • Language study beginning in pre-kindergarten (Spanish) More broadly and fundamentally, global education at Friends teaches students to approach complex issues with an informed and inclusive perspective, and with a sense of confidence and responsibility. Friends was the first school in Delaware authorized to offer the IB, recognized around the world as one of the highest standards—indeed, often recognized as the highest standard—in college preparatory education. Additional global education programs are coordinated at Friends through the Quaker Center for Understanding, Engagement, and Stewardship (QUEST).

Community Friends offers an unsurpassed academic program, and just as important, it is a great place to grow up.

• Our teachers (including coaches) know our students; teachers provide individual attention and are deeply invested in students’ growth and success.

• Because they are known as individuals, students are able to discover and develop the best in themselves. Because they are valued and held to high standards as members of a community, students are motivated to contribute and to lead.

• All students and teachers come together, in different groupings, for Meeting for Worship, which in the school setting is a time of reflection, largely defined by each individual and informed by each person’s own religious/spiritual tradition and identity.

• For parents, Friends is a great place to join with other families who share a commitment to education that inspires the best in each student while fostering an active responsibility to the good of all.

• There is no “typical” Friends School student or family. We recognize diversity of thought, identity, and experience as essential to both academic excellence and the character of our community.

Joy In Wilmington Friends School’s statement of philosophy and beliefs, one of the purposes of education is defined as to “help students to develop self-discipline, resilience, and motivation to sustain their joy as lifelong learners.� When the process of learning is designed and experienced as a journey, it can both inspire achievement and embrace joy. Friends School offers an environment of confidence without arrogance, where good humor can lend greater dignity to work; it is a place where students and teachers want to be.

Early Years Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten The preschool and pre-kindergarten programs at

The early years curriculum encompasses language

Friends reflect best practices and current re-

arts, math, science, social studies, performing arts

search and are guided by Quaker principles and

(with a specialist teacher), process-oriented visual

complementary components of the Reggio Emilia

arts, recess, and gym time (preschool)/physical

approach to early education.

education (pre-kindergarten).

Studies in neuroscience and long-term outcomes

Pre-kindergarten students also have classes with

of early childhood education speak to the value of

a specialist teacher in Spanish, along with regular

the Friends program, which emphasizes “knowl-

activities with specialists in the STEM Lab and

edge construction” (vs. passive reception) and

Library Media Center.

relationship-building skills. Research suggests that approach is most effective in providing the

As part of the Friends lower school, early years

foundation for cognitive skills—including cog-

students enjoy benefits such as “buddy” activities

nitive integration and executive function—skills

with older students, a full-time nurse, and food

essential to future learning and well-being, to

service. We also offer an After School Program,

problem-solving and innovation.

holiday child care, and summer camp.

Lower School Kindergarten - 5th Grade The Friends lower school program is designed to

grated with classroom practices, service learning,

encourage student voice and full participation,

a structured conflict resolution program, and

as individuals and as members of a community,

respect for all voices in Meeting for Worship, help

in the learning process. Interdisciplinary themes

to develop habits of empathy and responsibility

encourage students to think and inquire global-

to others. It is an approach to learning very much

ly, beyond any one discipline. In the “Singapore

rooted in the Quaker traditions of inquiry and of

Math� curriculum, Math in Focus, students are

commitment to equality, peace, and community.

asked to articulate reasoning in a way that develops perseverance and confidence as it deepens

In addition to language arts, math, science, and

learning. In the STEM Lab and in robotics, stu-

social studies, K-5 students have classes with spe-

dents are encouraged to experiment with designs

cialist teachers in Spanish, computer science, per-

that might not work.

forming arts, physical education, visual arts, and information literacy/media studies. Technology

Class structures, with different groupings of

is integrated throughout the program, and fifth

students by academic subject and for activities

graders have individual, school-issued laptops.

like recess, both allow teachers to develop great-

Additional choir and band programs are available

er expertise and give students the opportunity

in fourth and fifth grades.

to work and play with a variety of peers. Inte-

Middle School 6th - 8th Grades As part of the necessary growth toward inde-

13 students and a teacher who is responsible for

pendence, middle school is a time of some uncer-

knowing the “big picture” about each advisee.

tainty, when taking risks and trying new things inspire both excitement and worry for students.

In addition to English, history/social science,

The Friends middle school program is structured

math, and science, all students take classes in

very intentionally to meet the needs of this age

computer science, foreign language (Chinese,

group—a structure that includes a model advi-

French, or Spanish), performing arts (band, choir,

sory program; interest-based activities, clubs,

and/or classroom music), physical education (sixth

and committees with leadership opportunities;

grade), and visual arts, and participate in service

and classes in interpersonal and risk-assessment

learning, information and technology literacy,

skills, conflict resolution, and decision-making.

and interscholastic athletic programs (seventh & eighth grades). Friends students in grades 5-12

To guide students through and well beyond the

have individual, school-issued laptops, ensuring

fundamentals of “junior high” academics, the

that all students have the same computer hard-

Friends program emphasizes interdisciplinary

ware and software, both reflective of the Friends

learning and group work; oral, written, and ar-

commitment to equality and access and practical

tistic expression; participation in sports, service,

in enabling students and teachers to collaborate

and ensembles; and organizational techniques

more effectively.

and study skills. Advisory groups consist of 10-

Upper School 9th - 12th Grades The upper school at Friends engages students

Students also may participate in the School’s

in an unsurpassed academic program, including

QUEST Scholars program, choosing from

the International Baccalaureate (IB). Even as

themes of diversity, global studies, service learn-

students may begin to focus on particular talents

ing, spiritual life, or sustainability. All students

and passions, discovery and curiosity are fostered

participate in an individual service project and a

as habits of mind and practice. Students are able

“senior exploration” related to a career or person-

to participate broadly if they choose—and can

al interest.

take on multiple leadership roles—in competitive athletics, performing arts, and clubs and com-

The structure of the Friends laptop program

mittees, from Robotics and Science Olympiad to

ensures that all students have the same computer

Service and Diversity.

hardware and software, which is both reflective of the Quaker commitment to equality and access

As Delaware’s only Malone Foundation part-

and practical in enabling students and teachers

ner school, Friends participates in the Malone

to collaborate more effectively. As part of help-

Schools Online Network, which as of Septem-

ing students to define what they value and to

ber 2017 includes 22 schools and 29 upper-level

reach their full potential, Friends provides highly

electives. Friends is also a member of the School

individualized, professional college guidance.

Year Abroad consortium and a longtime AFS

Advanced work and independent study are avail-

partner school, opening opportunities for in-

able.

ternational study for a school year or summer.

Admissions Thank you for your interest in Wilmington Friends School Searching for the right school for your family can be complicated, and the Friends admissions staff is available to help make the process as rewarding as possible. To learn more about Friends, please explore the School web site, and most important, please visit in person to experience the distinctive learning environment.

Friends welcomes online applications at any time during the year, but summer and fall applications are encouraged, most importantly to increase the chance of availability in the desired grade. Please note that applications must be complete by January to be considered for the first round of admission offers, and that the financial aid application period is earlier, with a December first-round deadline.

Applications are followed by a campus visit and completion of educational assessments. Applicants to grades 5-12 must complete the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE); younger applicants complete age-appropriate assessments during their visits. There are also some additional documents to submit as part of the application, like a parent questionnaire and teacher recommendations.

Ask Us About Financial Aid Independent school tuition can be daunting; don’t hesitate to ask about financial aid. Aid is not a loan; it is a need-based grant that represents an essential part of the Friends mission, dating to the 1700s, to serve students and families from a variety of backgrounds for whom the School is a good fit. As of September 2015, 40% of Friends students received financial aid, with an average award of just about half of the tuition cost.

Contact Information We look forward to welcoming your family to Friends! Please contact us at 302.576.2930 or admissions@wilmingtonfriends.org, or visit www.wilmingtonfriends.org.

Admissions Timetable Submit Application Beginning in September - Rolling Schedule Visit/Shadow Days Beginning in October - Rolling Submit Financial Aid Applications November 1 - December 15 Register for Testing* Please see our Testing Schedule for Middle and Upper School applicants.

(Assessments for Lower School applicants occur on visit day.)

All Application Materials Due for First Round Offers* Mid-January for Middle and Upper School End of January for Lower School First Round Offers of Admission and Financial Aid Notification* End of January for Middle and Upper School Beginning of February for Lower School Rolling Admission Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis as availability permits. *Specific dates are listed on our web site, www.wilmingtonfriends.org.

Wilmington Friends School 101 School Road Wilmington, Delaware 19803 302.576.2930 admissions@wilmingtonfriends.org www.wilmingtonfriends.org

Quaker matters. Come see why.