Commencement

Commencement Weekend Information

Friday ~ May 17, 2024
1:00 PM
All-School Photo

1:30 PM
All-School Honors (MS & US required attendance)
Outdoor Altar

Saturday ~ May 18, 2024
3:00 PM
Art Exhibition
SAS Art Gallery, Simmonds Building
(Light refreshments available)

4:30 PM
Major Awards & Presentation of Annies
Outdoor Altar

(There is a casual buffet dinner after the Annies - reservations required.)

The Tradition of the Annies
Immediately following the presentation of major awards, we begin the Annies ceremony. The Annies are a long-standing SAS tradition begun in 1975 that celebrates each senior with an original poem or spoken-word piece written and performed by a member of the faculty.  Each senior also receives a handcrafted clay medallion.

Sunday ~ May 19, 2024
10:00 AM
Commencement Service
Outdoor Altar
Quiet, Please
The ceremony will last approximately one and a half hours. The Commencement Exercises are part of the Holy Eucharist service. Because of this, we ask that there be no applause, cheering, or any type of noise or demonstration when graduates’ names are called and they receive their diplomas and blessing. We then celebrate the entire class after the last diploma is received. We appreciate your respect for this tradition.

Student Dress
The student attire for Commencement Weekend events is Formal Dress as defined in the Handbook. Students may choose one of the following formal Formal Dress traditions: 1) Dress or skirt/dress pants with blouse and dress shoes, or 2) Coat tie, dress shirt, dress pants, belt, socks, and dress shoes.

Accessibility
Transportation will be provided from the gym parking lot to the Outdoor Altar for those who need it.

Important Reminder for Boarders
During the weekend of May 17-18, boarding students may check out with members of their immediate family only, and they must return to campus by normal weekend check-in time. Overnight check-out is not permitted. Checkouts with day students, other families, or independently to other off-campus locations are not permitted. All students remaining in residence are required to attend all scheduled year-end events in appropriate attire. Students remaining in residence must follow standard check-in policies (Friday dinner, Saturday brunch, Saturday dinner, etc.). All school rules apply until each student leaves campus on Sunday. Students should remove belongings, clean their rooms, and check out with a house parent by 3 p.m. on Sunday May 19. After 3:00 p.m.,  the houses will be closed and locked.

Need a place to stay?

The most desirable area accommodations fill up fast. Our visitors' guide offers a list of hotels in the area. We recommend making your reservations early.

Questions?

Contact Director of Auxiliary Programs and Special Events Lizzie Duncan.

Off-Campus Graduation Parties 
Please be aware that the school does not sponsor any event following Commencement and is not holding any off campus events on Saturday evening. School officially ends with the conclusion of Commencement on Sunday when the residential houses close, and all students depart for the summer.

It was an amazing weekend! I could go on for days about how much I appreciated so many touches. The ceremonies, music, student speeches, advisors' presentations, flowers, services, and on and on. I cried and laughed and felt a deep gratitude for the awesome village of SAS that rallied to help we humble parents in guiding all those beautiful souls on their journey called high school. Thank you!!

Taylor Mead Albright

Information for Underclassmen

Underclassmen who choose to attend the Senior Honors and Annies and the Commencement Service and Exercises are expected to be in formal dress (as defined by the Student Handbook) for these events.