Our Final Commencement

On Saturday, May 16th, 2026, ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú will hold its final Commencement Ceremony in the Houston House Gardens on the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Campus.

Graduation is always a special event at ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú, designed to honor and celebrate our graduates. The graduation ceremony is thoughtfully planned with input from the graduates, reflecting their personal experiences and aspirations, including the selection of themes for our commencement speakers. It is a moment of pride and emotion for everyone at ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú and above all, it’s time to celebrate graduates and their families.

Our 27th Commencement will be our final commencement ceremony, a moment to honor not only our graduates, but the community that made their journey possible. Together, we will celebrate our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and neighbors who have shaped this institution for more than six decades.

This milestone occasion will be an especially memorable one, featuring celebratory events for our community and our guests with homemade dishes prepared using ingredients sourced from the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Farm. It reflects our legacy of over 65 years of hands-on, experiential, place-based learning centered on the environment and community.

If you would like to support this historic event, we would be deeply grateful. Your contribution helps us honor our graduates, all who came before them, and close this chapter with the celebration it deserves.

Please consider making a donation in support of Commencement today.

commencement

Schedule of Commencement Events

  • Location: Hosmer Point

    This special dinner features dishes made with love by our Dining Services Director, Liz Chadwick ‘14 and her team. Each senior requests their favorite dishes. We often see things like a gigantic cheese board, shrimp cocktail, eggplant parmesan, or tacos carnitas! Anything your heart desires!

    By invitation only for our graduates, faculty, and staff.

  • Location: Alfond Barn, ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Upper Campus

    On Commencement Eve, with the faculty and staff, the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Board of Trustees invites graduates and their families to come together in the Alfond Barn to toast to our graduates.

    By invitation only, for ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú faculty, staff, trustees, our graduates, and their guests.

  • Location: Dunbar Dining Hall, ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Upper Campus

    Join us on the evening before Commencement for a special family dinner as we gather to mark this historic moment together. On the eve of our final commencement ceremony, graduates and their guests, faculty, staff, and students are invited to share a meal and reflect on the journey that brought us here.

    By invitation only for all current students, faculty, staff, trustees, graduates, and their families.

  • Location: Houston House Gardens, ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Upper Campus

    Rain Location: Tent in the Houston House Gardens

    Please join us for ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú’s 27th—and final—Commencement Ceremony as we gather to celebrate our graduates and the community that has shaped them. This meaningful occasion honors our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, families, and friends, and reflects more than 65 years of hands-on, experiential, place-based learning rooted in care for the environment and community.

    The ceremony will take place in the Houston House Gardens on ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú’s campus and is open to all. We warmly welcome families, alumni, and community members to be part of this historic moment.

    We look forward to celebrating together.

    Space is limited. Please RSVP by April 15, 2026.

  • Location: Houston House Gardens, ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Upper Campus

    This communal reception celebrates the relationships, learning, and sense of place that have defined ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú for more than 65 years. Featuring light bites prepared with ingredients sourced from ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Farm, the reception honors our tradition of hands-on, experiential, place-based learning and the community that made it possible.

    Come together to connect, reminisce, and celebrate—one last time—on the land that has shaped so many lives.

    All are welcome. Kindly RSVP.