Join us on Wednesday, June 12, at Graduation to celebrate our Sixth Graders!

The Advent School's graduation ceremony is more than just a celebration of the graduating class. It is an event in which our entire community—students, faculty, staff, families, friends, alum, and families of alumni—comes together to mark the end of a successful school year. 

During the ceremony, Sixth Graders give speeches reflecting on their journey at Advent. Students in all grades perform a song, and the Head of School presents the Mona C. Hull Founders Award to a community member. The celebration includes a bagpiper, a parade through Beacon Hill, and tons of school spirit!

Explore the sections below for all the details about graduation logistics, and email frontdesk@adventschool.org with any questions.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you on Wednesday, June 12, at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common.

The parade begins at 9:15 a.m. at 15 Brimmer Street.

The graduation ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at Parkman Bandstand.

Day-Of Schedule

The ceremony itself is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

8:10 a.m.: Regular drop-off begins.

8:30 a.m.: Sixth Graders take photos on the front steps.

8:30 a.m.: ECC through Fifth Grade students eat snack in the classroom and close out the year as a class community.

9 a.m.: Classes called to Brimmer Street to line up for the parade to the Parkman Bandstand.

9:15 a.m.: Parade begins! The Brimmer Street buildings are locked for the remainder of the day.

9:45 a.m.: Parade arrives at Parkman Bandstand.

10 a.m.: Graduation officially begins. After their performances, ECC and K students may sit with their families for the remainder of the ceremony. 

11:30 a.m.: Graduation ends, and students are dismissed from the ceremony.

FAQs

  • Graduation is the embodiment of the Advent community spirit!

    Advent's graduation is an all-school event, and all community members across all grades should attend. It is a time to reflect, cheer on the graduates, and connect before summer break begins. We invite newly enrolled families, alum, and families of alum to attend.

    Every grade performs during the ceremony, and buddies often walk together during the parade.

  • The ceremony will be held at the Church of the Advent if it rains.

    Advent will communicate any changes of plans due to inclement weather via AlertNow the day before the ceremony.

  • On graduation day, there is a regular drop-off from 8:10 to 8:30 a.m.

    Advent will provide snacks. ECC through Fifth Grade students eat a snack in the classroom and close out the year as a class community. Do not send backpacks, water bottles, lunch boxes, etc., to school that day.

    Unfortunately, we do not have the room to accommodate families in the Family Center before the parade begins. Please feel free to get coffee and meet us on the 15 Brimmer steps at 9 a.m.

  • We parade by grade from 15 Brimmer to the Parkman Bandstand with a bagpiper.

    Families are welcome to join the parade. We ask that you march with your youngest child's class. Please arrive at the school by 9:00 a.m. if you want to march in the parade, or meet us at the bandstand if you will not be marching in the parade.

    A map of the parade route is at the end of this page.

  • Chairs will be set up around the bandstand. Space is reserved for each grade and Sixth Grade families. The remaining spaces are open for families and guests!

    If someone in your party has mobility needs that need support, please email frontdesk@adventschool.org by Friday, June 7.

    This is an outdoor event, so please plan accordingly! Wear sunscreen, bring a hat, and bring a water bottle. The School will have a pop-up tent with water, shade, and first aid available.

  • The Head of School welcomes the community and offers brief remarks reflecting on the past year. Each grade performs a song, and Sixth Graders give speeches.

    The Head of School gives the Mona C. Hull Founders Award and shares personal remarks about each graduate. The Assistant Head of School, Lower and Upper School Division Heads, and Fifth and Sixth Grade teachers hand out diplomas alongside the Head of School and Chair of the Board of Trustees.

    The community sings the school song, and the bagpiper leads the graduates from the bandstand.

    The 2024 graduation ceremony is now over! 

  • Students shake out with their teachers immediately following the ceremony. Therefore, if you cannot attend, please arrange for your child to be picked up at the Parkman Bandstand by 11:30 a.m.

    Please communicate your dismissal plans to your child's teachers and frontdesk@adventschool.org by Monday, June 10. 

    There is no after-school programming, Late Club, or ADVENTures on the day of graduation, and both the Brimmer and Cedar St. buildings will be inaccessible for the remainder of the day beginning at 9:15 a.m.

Parade Route

The route is just under a mile and should take approximately 21 minutes. The Parkman Bandstand’s address is 139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108: Google Maps link.