Friends School of Wilmington plans to break ground next week on phase one of the school's unified campus Building Friends project, at 5814 Camellia Lane in Wilmington.

Phase one will provide improvements to Camellia Lane, a new entrance to the school’s unified campus and re-engineering of stormwater drainage and utilities, according to a news release.

The groundbreaking event takes place at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The first building phase is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2019, the release stated.

A multipurpose building and unifying FSW’s two campuses are the next phase for the Building Friends project, according to the release. Relocation of lower campus students should be completed by fall 2020.

“As we begin our 25th year, Friends School of Wilmington is claiming its identity as a model for civil discourse and community engagement and as permanent force for educational excellence in Wilmington," said Brenda Esch, Friends School of Wilmington head of school, in the release. "We believe the world needs passionate life-long learners who act with courage, integrity, and love. Lofty goals often require some steep hill climbing and, together, we are reaching new heights."

The release stated that Quaker education in the United States has a 330-year history, with the first Friends school opening in 1689.