High School Open House

Families Invited to Explore Top Private Schools During Fall Open Houses

Staff WriterEducation, Headlines, High Schools

High School Open House

“When you walk through our hallways, meet teachers, and talk with students, you begin to understand what makes each school unique. Those conversations help families feel confident about where their children will thrive,” suggested Ken Aldridge, Head of School at Friends School. Photo Credit: Elisa Morris Photography

Independence, Padua, Ursuline, Tatnall Open Houses This Weekend… Friends, St. Mark’s, and Archmere next several weeks.

WILMINGTON, Del. — For Delaware parents weighing private school options, fall open houses offer one of the best ways to find the right educational fit for their children. Beyond test scores and websites, these in-person visits give families a genuine feel for a school’s community, culture, and classroom experience.

Ken Aldridge, Head of School at Wilmington Friends School, said, “The best way to know a school is to experience it—to see how teachers and students engage with one another, to notice the ways students support and challenge each other, and to feel the sense of joy and belonging in the community. That spirit is hard to capture in a brochure or a ranking. It’s through those authentic moments and conversations that families come to see where their children will be known, encouraged, and able to thrive.”

As the 2025–2026 admissions season continues, several New Castle County schools are hosting open houses this month, including The Independence School, Padua Academy, Ursuline Academy, and Wilmington Friends School.

Editor’s note (as of Oct. 14, 2025): Some schools have already held early fall events. Families who missed a scheduled open house are encouraged to contact each school’s admissions office directly to arrange a private tour, student shadow day, or small-group visit.

Featured This Weekend

The Independence School — Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Located in Newark, The Independence School will host Autumn Adventures on Friday, Oct. 17, a nature-themed event for children ages 2–4 in partnership with the Delaware Nature Society.
Families can participate in hands-on outdoor activities, meet teachers, and explore how Independence integrates environmental learning and leadership into its curriculum. The school will also offer Inside Indy Tours on Nov. 3 and Patriot for a Day classroom experiences on Nov. 11 for 4th and 5th graders.

Padua Academy — Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025

Padua Academy, an all-girls Catholic college preparatory high school in Wilmington, will host its annual open house on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 1–4 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy student-led tours, meet faculty, coaches, and administrators, and learn more about Padua’s four guiding pillars — Spirituality, Scholarship, Service, and Sisterhood. The event gives families an authentic look at Padua’s student life, academics, and community spirit.

Ursuline Academy — Sunday, Oct. 20, 2025

Ursuline Academy will welcome families for its Fall Open House on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 1–3 p.m. at 1106 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington.
The Catholic Montessori-through-Grade-12 academy emphasizes global education, leadership, and service. Visitors can tour classrooms, meet teachers, and speak with current students and school leaders. Upcoming admissions events include Walk-In Wednesday (Nov. 6, 9–11 a.m.) and an Early Childhood Open House (Nov. 19, 9–10:30 a.m.).

Tatnall School Fall Open Houses – Begin October 21, 2025

Tatnall School in Wilmington invites families to explore its Early Childhood, Lower, Middle, and Upper School programs through a series of fall events.

Tatnall Open House Image 002

Head of Early Childhood at Tatnall, Adrienne Meade, reading with some of our youngest students.

  • Buzzing Buddies (Oct. 21, 28 & Nov. 4, 10:30–11:30 a.m.) – Free hands-on play sessions for children 15–30 months and caregivers.

  • Early Childhood Open House & Hayride (Oct. 18, 10 a.m.) – Explore Pre-K programs and enjoy fall fun.

  • Lower School Open House (Oct. 29, 4 p.m.) and Middle & Upper School Open House (Nov. 1, 9 a.m.) – Tour classrooms and meet teachers.

Registration is required; space is limited.

Wilmington Friends School — Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025

Wilmington Friends School, Delaware’s only Quaker PreK–12 institution, will host its next open house on Saturday, Nov. 1, with two sessions: 9–10:30 a.m. for preschool through 5th grade (held at the middle/upper campus due to lower-school renovations) and 1–3 p.m. for grades 6–12.
Families can tour classrooms, meet faculty and administrators, and learn how Friends’ values of peace, equity, and inquiry shape every aspect of school life.

Friends will also hold additional open houses on Nov. 9 and Nov. 18, and several Drop-in and Discover sessions later this fall.

Private School Open Houses — Fall 2025 Season

(Events through Nov. 18 only)

Date School Description Format Address
Oct. 5, 2025 Salesianum School All-boys Catholic high school with strong academics and brotherhood culture Guided tours, optional Mass, student panels 1801 N. Broom St., Wilmington DE
Oct. 7, 2025 The Independence School Co-ed PreK–8 school with STEM, nature and leadership focus Age-based sessions, classroom visits 1300 Paper Mill Rd., Newark DE
Oct. 17, 2025 The Independence School Nature-themed event for ages 2–4 with Delaware Nature Society Outdoor exploration, caregiver participation 1300 Paper Mill Rd., Newark DE
Oct. 18, 2025 Tatnall School Early Childhood Open House & Autumn Hayride Campus tours, outdoor activities 1501 Barley Mill Rd., Wilmington DE
Oct. 19, 2025 Padua Academy All-girls Catholic high school known for leadership and service Student-led tours, faculty meet-and-greet 905 N. Broom St., Wilmington DE
Oct. 20, 2025 Ursuline Academy Catholic Montessori–12 school emphasizing global education and service Full campus tours, classroom visits 1106 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington DE
Oct. 22, 2025 Wilmington Christian School PreK–12 Christian school focused on Biblical worldview and leadership Guided tours, Q&A with faculty 825 Loveville Rd., Hockessin DE
Oct. 26, 2025 St. Mark’s High School Co-ed Catholic high school with strong academics and faith-based leadership Full campus showcase, student-led tours 2501 Pike Creek Rd., Wilmington DE
Oct. 27, 2025 Archmere Academy Catholic college-prep high school with rigorous academics and service focus Structured tours, academic presentations 3600 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont DE
Oct. 29, 2025 Tatnall School Lower School Open House Classroom visits, teacher meet-and-greets 1501 Barley Mill Rd., Wilmington DE
Nov. 1, 2025 Wilmington Friends School Quaker PreK–12 school focused on peace, equity and inquiry Two sessions: 9–10:30 a.m. (PS–5) & 1–3 p.m. (6–12) 101 School Rd., Wilmington DE
Nov. 1, 2025 Tatnall School Middle & Upper School Open House Campus tours, classroom visits 1501 Barley Mill Rd., Wilmington DE
Nov. 3, 2025 The Independence School Small-group tours for grades 4–8 Inside Indy Tours 1300 Paper Mill Rd., Newark DE
Nov. 6, 2025 Ursuline Academy Drop-in event for all grade levels Walk-In Wednesday 1106 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington DE
Nov. 9, 2025 Wilmington Friends School Quaker PreK–12 school focused on peace, equity and inquiry Campus tours, classroom visits, student panels 101 School Rd., Wilmington DE
Nov. 11, 2025 The Independence School Veterans Day classroom immersion for 4th–5th graders Patriot for a Day 1300 Paper Mill Rd., Newark DE
Nov. 13, 2025 Wilmington Christian School PreK–12 Christian school focused on Biblical worldview and leadership Guided tours, Q&A with faculty 825 Loveville Rd., Hockessin DE
Nov. 18, 2025 Wilmington Friends School Quaker PreK–12 school focused on peace, equity and inquiry Campus tours, classroom visits, student panels 101 School Rd., Wilmington DE
Head of Early Childhood at Tatnall, Adrienne Meade, reading with some of our youngest students.

A Family Decision

Educators agree that choosing a school should be a shared family experience — one that involves both parents and students.

Most schools ask families to pre-register online, though many also offer flexible one-on-one appointments. Parents who missed earlier open house dates are encouraged to contact admissions teams directly for tours or shadow days.

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