What Is Quaker Ed? - Friends School of Wilmington - Quaker School-8th Grade Independent School in Wilmington, NC
What Is Quaker Ed?
Challenging the mind. Nourishing the spirit.
"Like the oatmeal guy?" Close, but not quite! Quaker schools are rooted in the values of the Religious Society of Friends—better known as Quakers—who have long emphasized kindness, fairness, and community. While our school was founded in this tradition, we are largely secular today and welcome families from every background: cultural, spiritual, religious, or none at all.
What unites us isn’t a set of beliefs, but a shared commitment to an education that nurtures both the mind and the heart. Alongside rigorous academics, we guide students to grow into thoughtful, compassionate, and responsible individuals.
At Friends School of Wilmington, learning is active and reflective. Teachers facilitate inquiry and dialogue, helping students make connections between their studies and their sense of purpose in the world. We encourage young people to recognize the inherent worth of every person, to practice mindful reflection, and to make choices that lift up their communities.
Our guiding Quaker principles—simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship—are woven into daily life here. Known by the acronym
SPICES
, these values inspire us to cultivate lifelong learners who act with courage, integrity, and love.
I like that we can talk about how we feel and nobody laughs. When we have Morning and Afternoon Meeting, it’s happy and peaceful and everyone is kind." – 2nd Grade Student
Whole-Child Development
Informed Decision-Making
Service-Learning Model
Community Building
We believe education should nurture every part of a child’s being. Alongside strong academics, we help students build character, develop critical thinking, and express their creativity. Whether they’re exploring new ideas, collaborating with classmates, or reflecting on their values, students are encouraged to grow intellectually, emotionally, and ethically—and to discover what makes them unique.
Students learn to think independently and with care. Through open-ended inquiry, reflection, and thoughtful questioning, they practice weighing different perspectives and challenging assumptions. As they develop the skills to make informed choices, they also learn the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully, listening with empathy, and approaching challenges with a growth mindset.
Education here is grounded in values like integrity, courage, and compassion. Students gain a strong sense of responsibility for others and the world around them. Whether it’s through hands-on projects, community partnerships, or advocacy, they learn how to contribute meaningfully and work for positive change—skills that prepare them to be engaged, caring citizens throughout their lives.
We prioritize creating a community where everyone feels welcomed and valued. In this supportive environment, students build friendships, practice empathy, and experience a deep sense of belonging. Collaborative learning is woven into daily life—students work together on projects, solve problems as a team, and share in decision-making. These experiences help them grow into respectful, confident individuals who value connection and shared purpose.
Simplicity
Peace
Integrity
Community
Equality
Stewardship
Simplicity
invites us to focus on what truly matters and let go of distractions. It means speaking honestly, living mindfully, and using the earth’s resources with care and respect. By valuing experiences and relationships over things, we create space for clarity, purpose, and joy.
Peace
calls us to work for understanding and reconciliation, whether in our own relationships or in the wider world. It means choosing nonviolence, resolving conflicts with empathy, and standing up for fairness and justice wherever we can.
Integrity
reminds us to align our actions with our values. It asks us to be truthful, sincere, and consistent in what we say and do. Living with integrity builds trust and helps create a community where everyone feels respected and safe.
Community
means we are all connected. We strive to nurture the good in each other and to see the light within every person. By caring for one another, we grow stronger together and build a sense of belonging that includes everyone.
Equality
affirms that every person has inherent worth and dignity. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve respect, opportunity, and a voice. We work to challenge injustice and create spaces where everyone can thrive.
Stewardship
means taking responsibility for the world we share. We are called to walk gently on the earth, conserve resources, and protect the environment for future generations. By caring for our planet, we honor our connection to all living things.