The Allen-Stevenson School is deeply rooted in traditions that have shaped the lives of countless boys for well over a century. From timeless Gilbert & Sullivan productions and Founders Day to the beloved Allen-Stevenson School song, cherished customs are at the heart of our community. However, since 1883, the school has grown and evolved, as have some of our traditions.
Recently, two new events were added to the rich tapestry of the Allen-Stevenson experience. Like all longstanding traditions, these latest additions provide opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate the rich experience of being an A-S boy.
The Step-Up Ceremony
Introduced by Head of School Duncan Lyon in June 2023, the Step-Up Ceremony became an immediate success, joyfully bringing together our whole learning community to mark the completion of a successful school year. In this new end-of-year tradition, faculty, staff, and students convene in the David Koch, Jr. ‘14 Gymnasium, where uplifting music fills the air. Mr. Lyon acts as MC, selecting a special song for each grade and shepherding everyone through the event with pride and enthusiasm.
The energy in the room is electric when the eighth graders make their entrance to thunderous applause. The upperclassmen form an arch in the center of the room, a symbolic gateway into the future as each younger grade passes through the arch, one boy at a time. Clearing the arch, students are met with a line of high-fives from friends, teachers, and classmates. With palpable enthusiasm filling the room each boy can envision himself moving onto the next grade level.
The Step-Up Ceremony celebrates a part of what makes an all-boys K-8 school unique, honoring the role our eighth-grade students play as confident school leaders ready for new adventures in high school and beyond. As the boys leave symbolic space for the kindergarten students who will join in the fall, a new tradition becomes engraved in blue and gold upon all our hearts.
Celebration of Learning
Allen-Stevenson’s newest tradition is the Celebration of Learning, a culminating event embodying the spirit of student achievement and growth. For this event, students take on the role of teachers, proudly guiding their families through their classrooms to showcase the year’s work. Given agency, this is an opportunity for boys to share keystone projects, discuss the challenges they have faced, and reflect on their personal and academic accomplishments.
But the evening doesn’t stop there—it is also a look ahead. After presenting their work, students explore ongoing classrooms for a preview of the pathway ahead. This part of the tradition sparks curiosity and excitement, reinforcing the concept of learning as a continuous journey.
Much more than a showcase, the Celebration of Learning builds meaningful connections between students, families, and educators while empowering our boys to take pride in their progress and leadership. It is a reflection of the collaborative and forward-thinking culture Allen-Stevenson
