Commencement Weekend 2025

Dear parents and guardians of the class of 2025,

Congratulations on the momentous occasion of your child’s upcoming graduation from Brooks School! Commencement weekend is shaping up to be a busy, exciting time. Below are resources that will hopefully help make your visit to campus a great one.

This year, we will kick off the weekend with the Sixth-Form Parent Dinner and Slideshow on Thursday, May 29.

Graduation is a two-event celebration, beginning on Saturday, May 31, at 10:30 a.m. and ending after Graduation Luncheon on Sunday, June 1.

During the weekend, we will livestream Prize Day & graduation ceremonies HERe

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Guests Can Come to Prize Day?

Will Events be Livestreamed?

What is the attire for graduates at each event?

Commencement is a formal ceremony at Brooks School. On Prize Day, students in the graduating class are required to wear:

White pants, a white button-down collared shirt, a navy blue blazer, a Brooks striped tie (provided by the school) and dress shoes; or
A formal all-white outfit, either a dress or pantsuit, with dress shoes.

Sixth-form students will have a Brooks School rosette pinned on them at the Sixth-Form Pinning Breakfast on Sunday, June 1 at 8:15 a.m. Students in blazers will also receive a self-adhesive Brooks patch to wear during the ceremony.

Will seating be handicapped accessible?

What is the move-out process for boarders?

What are Some Recommended hotels?

What is a Donning of the Stoles and Symbols Ceremony?

The Donning of the Stoles and Symbols Ceremony is a celebration of cultural achievement that acknowledges the academic achievements and future aspirations of graduating seniors from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and historically marginalized groups.

During the ceremony, students are donned with a stole or pin by their advisor, or faculty/staff member who has supported students throughout their journey at Brooks.

Students are invited to wear the stoles and symbols that they received at the ceremony on Prize Day. Wearing the stole on Prize Day symbolizes the hard work and dedication that students have shared in supporting DEIB programming at Brooks.

The ceremony is open to all members of the community.

Affinity Groups Participating in the Donning of the Stoles and Symbols Ceremony

Alianza Latina (Latinx Student Alliance)
ASA (Asian Student Association)
BSU (Black Student Union)
GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance)
ISA (International Student Alliance)
JSO (Jewish Student Organization)
SIS (Sisters in Spirit)
SWIRL (MultiEthnic/ Multicultural Student Alliance)
WSW (Women Supporting Women)

The Schedule

Thursday, May 29

6 p.m. SIXTH-FORM PARENT DINNER AND SLIDESHOW

Dinner will be held in the tent overlooking Lake Cochichewick behind the admission building for sixth-form parents and guardians. A slideshow commemorating the sixth form will be shown.

Saturday, May 31

10:30 a.m. DONNING OF THE STOLES AND SYMBOLS CEREMONY
This ceremony is held in Frank D. Ashburn Chapel. The service celebrates cultural achievement and takes place prior to commencement. It acknowledges the academic achievements and future aspirations of students from BIPOC and underrepresented groups. Seating is open and no RSVP is required. This event will be livestreamed.
2 p.m. LAWN CEREMONY
This ceremony is held in the tent overlooking Lake Cochichewick behind the admission building. Prizes are awarded for academic, artistic and athletic achievements to students in all grades/forms. Student speakers will share remarks. Seating is open and there is no RSVP required. This event will be livestreamed.
3:30 p.m. STUDENT FAREWELL "BOO-HOO" SERVICE
The "Boo-Hoo" Service is a student-led service held in Frank D. Ashburn Chapel. The service is for students in all forms. Parents and guardians are welcome to take pictures during the receiving line following the service in the Chapel Quad.

SIXTH-FORM PARENT, GUARDIAN & GUEST RECEPTION
This reception will be held in the Keating Room for parents, guardians and guests of the graduating class to enjoy while students participate in the "Boo-Hoo" Service.
5 p.m. SIXTH-FORM DINNER
Dinner will be held in Wilder Dining Hall for the sixth form and their parents, guardians and guests. Students may opt to leave campus for dinner with parents, guardians and guests.

Sunday, June 1

8:15 a.m. SIXTH-FORM PINNING BREAKFAST
Graduates will each be pinned with a rosette during this graduates-only breakfast. Since 1932, sixth-formers have worn a Brooks rosette as an emblem of their accomplishments. Students wearing a blazer will receive a self-adhesive Brooks patch.

9:15 a.m. SIXTH-FORM CHAPEL SERVICE
The service will be held in Frank D. Ashburn Chapel for the sixth form and their parents or guardians. No RSVP is required.
10:15 a.m. PRIZE DAY CEREMONY (Awarding of Diplomas)
This final graduation ceremony is held in the tent overlooking Lake Cochichewick behind the admission building. Sixth-form students are awarded prizes and diplomas. One student speaker will share remarks. Seating is open, and no RSVP is required. This event will be livestreamed.
12:15 p.m. GRADUATION LUNCHEON
Lunch will be held in Wilder Dining Hall. Seating is open, and there is no RSVP required. Students may also go out to lunch with parents and guardians.