Traditions: The Heartbeat of Distinguished Schools
BY SUSAN LAIR, PHD - CONSULTANT, EXECUTIVE COACH
Is your school like mine? If you do something three times, it's a tradition! Traditions and signature programs are a hallmark of private schools. Yet, many schools struggle with balancing academic rigor, fine arts experiences, character and religious education, athletics, and the selection and timing of traditions. In this blog, I will share ideas to consider.
Traditions connect generations and strengthen the School's community. They honor the past, give hope for the future, provide shared school memories, and connect generations of families. They give students reasons to look forward to the next school year and provide anchors encouraging students to stay. They can be a source of inspiration, inclusion, a sense of belonging, self-reflection, and fun. Traditions help create a school's identity and help build a unique and distinctive school culture.
The Hill School, Pottstown, PA
"Honor Hill students who came before them both by maintaining School customs and building upon the past as original ideas evolve into time-honored traditions."
Starting in 1887, The Hill vs. Lawrenceville Week is a famous tradition at both schools. On the second week in November, the schools meet and begin a Spirit Week full of competitions that include theme dress day, the "passing of the brooms," the "spoon beat," the Red Meat Dinner, pep rallies, bonfires, and the big game. Using a system of scoring that awards points for each competition all week, The Meigs-Green Cup, named for the founders of the competition, is awarded to the School with the highest accumulated total.
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL, SIMSBURY, CT
Founded in 1888, Westminster builds community through onboarding traditions and rights of passage. A Sign-In Ceremony welcomes new students into the Westminster community. Students sign a large book holding the names of generations of students. New students become part of Westminster's history by signing their names in the book. In sixth form (seniors), the dean and faculty that attended Westminster issue pins to the boys and necklaces to the girls with a one-of-a-kind image designed explicitly by members of the form. The many community-building traditions culminate at the Commencement ceremony when graduates receive a random diploma from the head of school as they walk across the stage. Following the ceremony, graduates form a large circle and pass their diplomas around the circle. When students receive their diplomas, they step out of the circle and move to the center to signify their graduation.
SAINT MARY’S HALL, SAN ANTONIO, TX
Founded in 1879, Saint Mary's Hall in San Antonio, Texas, is rooted in tradition. It's served as an exceptional boarding now day school for 145 years. Blue Tie is one of its most outstanding and "can't miss" traditions, and a rite of passage for seniors. The first Blue Tie Ceremony was held for the Class of 1941. During the ceremony, senior class members are presented with a blue tie by either the head of school or an alumnus' family member. Often, blue ties are handed down from generation to generation. Embroidered inside the tie with the names of former family graduates and the year of graduation, it's not unusual for a host of family members, all graduates from Saint Mary's Hall, to descend on the stage to present the senior with their blue tie.
Oldfields School, Sparks Glencoe, Md
Oldfields School in Sparks Glencoe, Maryland, proudly boasts of a history of bonding traditions. These traditions tie current students with 150 years of Oldfields girls. Grounded in the Courage, Humility and Largeness of Heart motto, they encourage a sisterhood built on character and foster acceptance and leadership. The new students are paired with a big sister who supports them through their years at Oldfields, and much like the houses in Harry Potter, girls are assigned to one of the School's teams. If a family member attended Oldfields, new girls are automatically assigned to the same team. These teams provide friendly competition throughout the year and are one of the first questions an alum asks when meeting a current student. Graduation at Oldfields is their ultimate tradition. For generations, girls have walked down Graduation Hill in long white dresses, a dozen roses, and bare feet. The ceremony ends with the roses tossed into the air.
Northfield Mount Hermon, Mount Hermon, MA
I saw an article titled NMH Pie Race: Running for Dessert and had to read it. For 132 years and hailed as America's “longest-running" footrace preceding the first Boston Marathon in 1897, students, alumni, families, and faculty have participated in The Bemis-Forslund Pie Race. Northfield Mount Herman School 5K race winds around campus and ends at the Dining Hall. Students help the dining hall make over 150 coveted apple pies each year that go to the top 25 runners in each category.
Preston High School, Bronx, NY
Preston High School in the Bronx of New York has a solemn and meaningful tradition during students' junior year called Junior Ring Night. The entire School is involved. First-year students make traditional ring warmers, the sophomore class decorates, and the senior class acts as docents. Junior Prestonites gather to be recognized as upper-class women and receive their class rings. Afterward, a reception hosted by freshman little sisters and senior big sisters is held in the cafeteria.
Ensworth School, Nashville, TN
At Nashville, Tennessee's Ensworth School, Seniors create terracotta senior tiles. This tradition provides seniors with an exciting and unique event during their last few weeks of School. Seniors design their tiles with their initials, symbols, or anything their sponsor approves. Completed tiles are displayed on the walls of the high School and act as a reminder of the student’s contributions to Ensworth.
THE Nueva School, Hillsborough, CA
The Nueva School in Hillsborough, California, was founded to reimagine how schools facilitate learning. A school's traditions must create memories and ways to tie one generation of the School's learners to the next. So, it's no surprise that one of their new traditions is The Innovative Learning Conference. Started in 2019, the 2023 conference was titled The Power of Perspectives: Envisioning Our Collective Future. The conference is a two-day forum that provides thought-provoking conversations, inspires ideas, creates connections, and provides a network of like-minded students with time to reflect and process ideas in the context of each participant's current needs.
As educators, we would like to think that students are so enthralled with our creative approaches and techniques to impart curriculum that they would hang on to every word or activity. Well, maybe not. Private school traditions play a vital role in shaping our students' educational experience and fostering a sense of school identity and community. These time-honored and newly formed rituals create excitement, time to reflect, and amazing memories. By providing students with an unforgettable experience, private schools bring meaning to childhood in ways that extend far beyond the classroom and help foster a sense of belonging to our schools.
RESOURCES
Weird and Wonderful Independent School Traditions
Time Honored and Revered: Private School Traditions
Quirky and Time-Honored Private School Traditions
Fascinating Rituals and Traditions of English Schools
Photo Credits: The Hill School, Westminster School, St. Mary’s Hall, Oldfields School, Northfield Mount Hermon, Preston High School, Ensworth School, The Nueva School.