Student life at Freire Wilmington blends challenging academics with a wide range of after-school activities, field trips, and sports to help you grow into exactly the kind of well-rounded student colleges and employers are looking for. We are now accepting applications for grades 8-12 for 2025-2026. Start your Freire journey today!
Upcoming Open Houses
If you’re interested in visiting Freire Wilmington, join us for an Open House or schedule a one-on-one tour. Upcoming Open House dates include:
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to our Admissions Team at admissions@freirewilmington.org or give us a call at 302-407-4800 x1. Please note: Open Houses typically run for one hour; please arrive as close to the start time as possible.
Own Your Future
When you enroll at Freire Wilmington, you are choosing to take charge of your future. Freire Wilmington was founded in 2014 to help students get into college. Nine years later, the results are clear and compelling: Freire Wilmington’s Class of 2024 (61 graduates) were accepted to 57 unique colleges and universities, achieved a 91% college acceptance rate, and earned over $6.9 million in scholarships and financial aid.
“I chose Freire Wilmington because it’s a college preparatory school with AP and dual enrollment courses. We have so many tools for you to succeed, and the teachers here are passionate about what they teach. You’re always going to be interested in what you’re learning.”
KANTENIECE BENT, 11th Grade
“I chose Freire Wilmington because it’s a college preparatory school with AP and dual enrollment courses. We have so many tools for you to succeed, and the teachers here are passionate about what they teach. You’re always going to be interested in what you’re learning.”
“What really sets us apart is we actually focus on students’ mental health and their boundaries… Students are allowed to take mental health breaks, and counselors are available when needed. Being able to express yourself like that in a school setting is really helpful because many students can’t get that help at home.”
AUTUMN CHASE-SAUNDERS, 9th Grade
“What really sets us apart is we actually focus on students’ mental health and their boundaries… Students are allowed to take mental health breaks, and counselors are available when needed. Being able to express yourself like that in a school setting is really helpful because many students can’t get that help at home.”
“What I like most about Freire Wilmington is the welcoming environment, and the sports have definitely been the highlight of my high school experience. At the games, everyone comes together and comes to support, and I think that’s really, really nice.”
JAYCEN SAVAGE, 12th Grade
“What I like most about Freire Wilmington is the welcoming environment, and the sports have definitely been the highlight of my high school experience. At the games, everyone comes together and comes to support, and I think that’s really, really nice.”
New to Delaware?
If you’re new to Delaware and your child is not currently registered with your local school district, please visit this page to register before applying to Freire Wilmington.
By the Numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY DOES FREIRE WILMINGTON START AT 8TH GRADE?
We understand leaving middle school can be hard, but an extra year of college-preparatory academics can make the difference between getting into a college that’s “good enough”—or truly thriving at the great college you deserve. Plus, starting 8th grade at Freire Wilmington means joining a community of motivated, high-achieving peers to learn and grow together for the next five years.
CAN I ONLY APPLY ONLINE?
No. Freire Wilmington offers multiple ways to apply. In addition to applying online through the links above, you can complete the paper application and drop it to our Admissions Office, 201 W. 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
DOES FREIRE WILMINGTON CHARGE TUITION?
No. Freire Schools are tuition-free public schools, and there is no cost to attend.
WHO CAN APPLY TO FREIRE WILMINGTON?
Freire Wilmington is open to students across Delaware, but our student body comes from all parts of northern Delaware.
DOES FREIRE WILMINGTON OFFER BUSING?
Yes. Freire Wilmington offers hub-stop busing across 6 bus routes. These routes can change slightly from year-to-year to best accommodate our current class of students. In addition to buses, Freire Wilmington provides DART passes to both low-income students and students living further than 1-mile from the school.
“Freire has really challenged me to succeed, and I’ve taken dual enrollment courses at the University of Delaware that gave me an idea of what taking a college course would actually be like. Another big opportunity I’ve had is the LYTE (Leading Youth Through Empowerment) program…Through that program, I went to New York University for three weeks and everything was paid for.”
JANIYAH TRAPPIER, 11th Grade
“Freire has really challenged me to succeed, and I’ve taken dual enrollment courses at the University of Delaware that gave me an idea of what taking a college course would actually be like. Another big opportunity I’ve had is the LYTE (Leading Youth Through Empowerment) program…Through that program, I went to New York University for three weeks and everything was paid for.”
Have questions?
Our Admissions Team is there to help! Please reach out to us at admissions@freirewilmington.org or give us a call at 302-407-4800 x1.
