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Commencement Week 2024

We’re looking forward to celebrating the Class of 2024 during this year’s Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on campus. Below are upcoming senior events for the Class of 2024. Information is subject to change. Stay tuned for more information as we approach the big day! 🎉⭐️🎓

Thursday, April 18

5:30-7:15 p.m. | Senior Pinning Ceremony (Main Dining Room)
Attire: Special occasion attire
*This event is only for students, advisors, and Board of Trustee members.

Friday, May 17

9:35-10:15 a.m. | Recognition Assembly (Walton Center Auditorium)

Monday, May 20

3:00-5:00 p.m. | Commencement Rental Attire Distribution (Marshall Coffee House)

Tuesday, May 21

3:30–5:30 p.m. | Rehearsal for Senior Assembly (Walton Center Auditorium)

5:30–6:30 p.m. | Rehearsal for Senior Class Photo & College Gear Photo Shoot  (South Porch, Main Building; Rain location: South Gym, FAC) *All seniors are required to attend. Graduate

6:30–8:00 p.m. | Yearbook Distribution for Seniors (South Porch, Main)

Wednesday, May 22

9:00–11:00 a.m. | Seniors Decorate the Dining Room (Main Dining Room)
11:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m. | Lunch hosted by the Senior Class (Main Dining Room)
4:00–6:30 p.m. | Spring Varsity Sports Banquet (South Gym, FAC)
7:00–10:00 p.m. | Dress Rehearsal for Senior Assembly (Walton Center Auditorium)

Thursday, May 23

Student Schedule:

8:15–9:30 a.m.| Arrangement 2 (shortened)
9:30–10:40 a.m. | Arrangement 3 (shortened)
10:45–11:35 a.m. | All School Meeting for Worship
Rest of the day as scheduled.

Friday, May 24

Student Schedule:

8:15–9:30 a.m. | Arrangement 3
9:35–10:50 a.m. | Arrangement 4
10:55–11:35 a.m. | Senior Assembly (Walton Center Auditorium)
11:35 a.m. | Rest of day proceeds as usual for all underclassmen. Seniors are dismissed.

Star Senior Dinner Dance:

5:00 p.m. | Gather on Red Square for Senior Dinner Dance photos (Rain Location: FAC)
*Parents and Guardians are invited to attend. Camera

5:30 – 11:00 p.m. | Senior Dinner Dance at Spring Mill Country Club
Ticket price: TBD
Transportation: All students depart from Red Square in transportation provided by the school.

5:00 p.m. | Senior Parent and Guardian Reception (MDA Library) *Families of Seniors are invited to attend. Appetizers and beverages provided by George School. Register here!

7:00–11:00 p.m. | Planned activities throughout the evening (Deans’ Office)

11:00 p.m. | Check-in for boarders; day students leave campus

11:15 p.m. | Check-in for students attending the Senior Dinner Dance

Saturday, May 25

9:45 a.m. | Rehearsal for Commencement Speakers & Performers  (William Penn Outdoor Auditorium; Rain Location: North Gym, FAC)

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Lunch (Main Dining Room)

12:00–3:00 p.m. | Senior Commencement Rehearsal; *Seniors are required to attend. Graduate (Marshall Center; Rain Location: North Gym, FAC)

12:15 p.m. | Daisy Chain Rehearsal (Admission Circle; Rain Location: Hallway outside classrooms, FAC)

4:00 p.m. | Commencement Meeting for Worship. (George School Meetinghouse) *Seniors are required to attend Graduate ; families are invited to attend.

Sunday, May 26

Party popper Commencement Ceremony:

8:00–9:30 a.m. | Continental Breakfast for Seniors (Dining Room; Rain Location: Movement Studio, FAC)
8:45 a.m. | Pinning of Roses (Main Dining Room; Rain Location: Movement Studio, FAC)
9:30 a.m. | Senior Class Photo (South Porch Steps, Main Building; Rain Location: South Gym, FAC)
10:00 a.m. | Seniors line up in walking order for the ceremony. (Marshall Center; Rain Location: South Gym, FAC)
10:20 a.m. | The processional begins at 10:20 a.m. preceded by the traditional daisy chain. (Rain Location: South Gym, FAC)
10:30 a.m. | The ceremony is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (William Penn Outdoor Auditorium; Rain Location: North Gym, FAC) No tickets required.
12:00 p.m. |  Lunch (South Gym, FAC) *Families are invited to attend
1:00–3:00 p.m. | Tuxedo rental returns (Marshall Center Coffeehouse)
1:00–4:00 p.m. | Seniors must move out of the dorms by 4:00 p.m. on the day of Commencement.

All traffic will enter campus via Farm Drive. Main Drive will be closed. Here is a campus map. Seniors must arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. and report to the Dining Room. Guests arriving separately from students can arrive between 8:00-9:15 a.m. and proceed to the William Penn Outdoor Auditorium.

Additional Information

Assisted and Handicap Parking Instructions

Directions to the assisted and handicap Commencement parking

Traveling south on Newtown Langhorne Road (Route 413):
Drive past George School (on right) and Newtown Friends School. Turn right at the traffic light onto Pennswood Village Road. Make a right onto Meetinghouse Lane (past Newtown Friends School), then make a left onto Tenant Drive. Staff members will be there to guide families and assist with golf carts.

Traveling north on Newtown Langhorne Road (Route 413):
Turn left at the traffic light onto to Pennswood Village Road. If you see George School’s campus on your left, you have gone too far. Once on Pennswood Village Road, make a right onto Meetinghouse Lane (past Newtown Friends School), then make a left onto Tenant Drive. Staff members will be there to guide families and assist with golf carts.

From the handicap and assisted parking section, golf carts will take visitors directly to the William Penn Outdoor Auditorium for the Commencement exercises. There are no designated or reserved handicap seating areas, so make sure you arrive early to secure desired seats.

Commencement Attire

Graduate The George School graduation ceremony tradition is for seniors to be uniform in their attire.

Dresses: Dresses are all-white (not ivory), mid-calf or longer, worn with slips (when recommended if not lined) and white shoes.

Jackets and Ties: White dinner jackets, black bow ties, white shirt, black trousers, black shoes and black socks.  All jackets and ties should match and therefore all of this type of clothing (except for the black socks) is rented during a campus visit from Rochester Formal Wear and charged under incidental expenses.

Star All graduation attire must be approved by Maureen West or Gracie Coscia-Collins by Monday, April 29, 2024.

If students are not properly attired, they will not be permitted to participate in Commencement.  If anyone has a question or wants to discuss an alternative to the requirements, please contact Maureen West or Gracie Coscia-Collins.

Seniors who rented tuxedos should pick up Commencement attire at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 20 in Marshall, Coffeehouse.  Returns should be made on Sunday, May 26 between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. in Marshall, Coffeehouse.

Local Accommodations and Dining

Read about local accommodations and dining here or contact Gayle Kowalewski at 215.579.6502.

Parent/Guardian Events

Parents/Guardians are invited to the below events celebrating the Class of 2024:

  • Friday, May 24: Senior Dinner Dance photos on Red Square (5:00 p.m., Red Square; Rain Location: FAC)
  • Friday, May 24: Senior Parent/Guardian/Families Reception (6:00 p.m., MDA Library)
  • Saturday, May 25: Commencement Meeting for Worship (4:00 p.m., Meetinghouse)
  • Sunday, May 26: Commencement (10:30 a.m., William Penn Outdoor Auditorium; Rain Location: FAC, North Gym)
  • Sunday, May 26: Commencement Lunch (12:00 p.m., Picnic Grove; Rain Location: South Gym, FAC)
    • All guests are invited to lunch following Commencement

Passports

International students’ passports are kept in the Deans’ Office. Senior students should pick up their passports on Sunday, May 26, before 4:00 p.m.

Post Office and School Store

For your convenience, the George School Store and the George School Post Office will be open on Friday, May 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The store and the post office will be closed on Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27.

Deciduous tree Families who would like to purchase a personalized keepsake blanket and coordinating pillow with the retiring tree logo can order here: https://custommadecomfort.com/collections/george-school. They are available to order May 1- June 5. All orders will be shipped by the week of June 30.

Questions? Contact Maddy Roepcke at mroepcke@georgeschool.org.

Student Banking

Students with George School debit accounts need to stop by the Business Office before Friday, May 25 to close out their account. The bank will be closed on the day of Commencement.

Questions?

If you have any questions please see the list below. We look forward to seeing you during this special time.

Class Sponsors: Carly Wassel – 215.579.6791 and Adam Wassel– 215.579.6890.
General Information: Gayle Kowalewski – 215.579.6502
Handicapped Parking: Gayle Kowalewski – 215.579.6502
Rental Attire: Gayle Kowalewski – 215.579.6502
Questions on Attire:  Maureen West – 215.579.6665 and Gracie Coscia-Collins ’09
School Store: Maddy Roepcke – 215.579.6601