Commencement
Commencement is a treasured tradition at Garrison Forest, one that commemorates and celebrates this important occasion in the lives of our Seniors and their families.
Commencement Information
2026 Commencement Activities: Overview
Thursday, June 4:
- 5:30 PM, Wreath Laying at GFS Founder's Grave
- 6:00 PM, Baccalaureate Ceremony at St. Thomas Church
Friday, June 5, 10:00 AM: Commencement
Thursday, June 4
Wreath Laying, 5:30 PM: Members of the Senior Class will meet the evening before Commencement to honor our founder, Miss Livingston, by laying flowers upon her grave in the St. Thomas’ graveyard—a tradition that was inaugurated as part of our Centennial celebration. We will share more about the school’s history and the significance of the moment. (Students only)
Baccalaureate Ceremony, 6:00 PM: Following the short wreath-laying ceremony, students and parents/caregivers are invited to the Baccaleaureate ceremony at St. Thomas’ Church, 232 St. Thomas Lane, Owings Mills, MD 21117.
PLEASE NOTE: St. Thomas’ Church does not allow photography (still and video) during the Ceremony. Families are welcome to take photos outside the church.
Baccalaureate is a celebration that has its origins in the collegiate experience, dating back to the Middle Ages. Garrison Forest School’s early history is intertwined with that of St. Thomas’ Church, rooted in family ties and community connections. Many of the St. Thomas’ parishioners were among the first to enroll their children in GFS in 1910, and the wife of St. Thomas’ Rector was the sister of GFS founder Mary Moncrieffe Livingston. We acknowledge that history when we hold our Baccalaureate service at the church. Similarly, we acknowledge our founder when members of the Senior Class meet before Baccalaureate to lay flowers on Miss Livingston’s grave in the St. Thomas’ graveyard—a tradition that was inaugurated as part of our Centennial celebration. As our School has changed over the years, so has our Baccalaureate service. Our readings are ecumenical now, and we include members of the School community as celebrants, singers and a speaker chosen by the Senior Class.
INFORMATION ON SEATING: Baccalaureate is typically a smaller event than Commencement. Families, of course, are welcome to bring extended family and out-of-town guests to this event, if they so choose. St. Thomas' Church is small and space is limited. If you plan on a larger group, we recommend that you arrive early to get seats. We cannot reserve seats at the church for any GFS guests.
Friday, June 5
Commencement
- 8:15 AM: Seniors Meet in Front of Senior House for Individual Portraits and Class Photo (see note below on details)
- 10:00 AM: Ceremony at Centennial Courtyard
Commencement is, of course, the highlight of the end of our year and the Senior Class experience. This ceremony, like the others at the end of the Senior year, has been shaped to reflect both the traditions and the innovations in Garrison Forest School’s history. The structure of the ceremony also reflects the importance of the relationship between the teachers and students, a hallmark of the Garrison Forest education. Members of the faculty join the Senior Class for this celebration, and we pause in the ceremony to honor a distinguished teacher and to acknowledge 20-year milestones in the tenure of faculty and staff members. Similarly, we honor student recipients of the Faculty, Alumnae, Jenkins and Shriver Awards, who are chosen by the faculty, and we recognize the Cum Laude Society inductees. To confirm the importance of community in our shared educational endeavor, our School’s stewards and the President of the School give remarks, and Senior Class families and friends join the celebration. The ceremony is approximately 90 minutes.
Seating Procedures
Commencement Seating Details:
There will be a Senior Family Section for Commencement seating, with each Senior Family receiving six (6) reserved seats for the Senior Family Section via a lottery.
Ample open seating for other family members and friends will be available and clearly marked in another location in the Courtyard. This seating will be open on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8:30 AM. Additionally, we will livestream the ceremony, and the link will be provided to families for sharing prior to the event.
Centennial Courtyard is wheelchair accessible, and Garland Theater Lobby will serve as a cooling station with water for all guests. During the ceremony, please refrain from wearing or using items that obstruct others’ view of the ceremony (for example, umbrellas, iPads, posters and celebratory balloons). Important photography information may be found below.
Seating Procedures
Please read the procedures carefully for Commencement Senior Family Section seating:
- Senior Family Seating is selected in a random drawing by the Senior Class leaders.
- Each Senior has been randomly assigned six (6) reserved seats in the Senior Family Section in the Centennial Courtyard.
- Each Senior family will receive a diagram of the Senior Family Section in the Centennial Courtyard by email indicating their assigned seats.
- The morning of Commencement, your last name will be clearly indicated on each of your reserved seats.
- Please do not trade your assigned seats with another Senior family
QUESTIONS? Please contact Lauren Bussey, Head of Upper School, or Courtney Gotlin, Upper School Division Assistant.
Year-End Calendar for Seniors
2026 Calendar
- Thursday, May 14: Vespers in the Chapel, 7:00 PM (Students only)
- Friday, May 15: Last Day of Classes for Seniors
- Monday, May 18 - Thursday, May 28: Independent Senior Projects (ISP)
- Friday, May 29: Prom at the Center Club, Baltimore, 8:00-11:00 PM
- Wednesday, June 3: Senior ISP Meetings w/Mentors
- Thursday, June 4:
- Awards Assembly, 8:00-9:30 AM
- Final Advisory
- ISP Presentations
- Senior Sign-Off
- Commencement Rehearsal
- Wreath Laying, 5:30 PM (Students only)
- Baccalaureate Ceremony, 6:00 PM
- Friday, June 5:
- Commencement, 10:00 - 11:30 AM (Seniors arrive by 8:15 AM)
- Reception following Commencement Ceremony
Photo Information
Galeone Photography takes an individual photo of each student, as well as a group portrait prior to the Ceremony. Each girl must sit for an individual portrait (taken the morning of Commencement).
Following Commencement, all Senior families will receive an email from Galeone Photography with the password-protected GFS Commencement website to purchase any photographs.
FAQ
What is the history behind the Baccalaureate location?
Since our first graduating class in 1920, Baccalaureate has been held at St. Thomas' Church, near Garrison Forest on Garrison Forest Road. Garrison Forest was founded as an ecumenical school in 1910 and is not affiliated with the Episcopal Church, but the school's history is rooted in family ties and community connections with St. Thomas'.
Many of the St. Thomas’ parishioners were among the first to enroll their children in GFS in 1910, and the wife of St. Thomas’ Rector was the sister of GFS founder Mary Moncrieffe Livingston. We acknowledge that history when we hold our Baccalaureate service at the Church and continuing this location tradition honors these connections and underscores GFS's deep commitment to community. Just prior to the Baccalaureate service, the Senior Class lays Ragged Robins, the GFS flower, on Miss Livingston's grave in the churchyard, another tradition that celebrates her pioneering vision in coming to Maryland from New York to establish a girls' school.
Our service recognizes and celebrates the rich religious diversity of Garrison Forest today. All readings at Baccalaureate are ecumenical, encompassing several faiths.
What are the dress requirements for Baccalaureate?
The Baccalaureate service is held in a church. Seniors traditionally wear attire appropriate for events held in religious settings. We ask that Seniors cover their shoulders for this service.
When do Seniors need to arrive for Commencement?
Each Senior must report promptly to Senior House no later than 8:15 AM for individual portraits by Commencement photographer, Galeone Photography. Students not in front of Senior House at that time will not be included in the class photo. Photographers begin taking individual portraits at 8:30 AM. Every Senior must sit for a portrait (at no cost). Prints are made available at cost following Commencement through Galeone Photography and a link to the photo gallery will be sent to Senior parents in the days following the ceremony. Ragged Robin bouquets will be given to each girl prior to the photos by class advisors.
What about seating for Commencement?
In order to ensure that families of Seniors have the best seating possible, there will be a designated Senior Family Section. The seating in this section will be determined using a lottery system. Please refer to the seating procedures for details.
What about Commencement invitations and announcements?
These are distributed to Seniors after Spring Break. The School provides each Senior with six (6) invitations, announcements and "calling cards." If you would like additional invitations, announcements or calling cards, you may order these from Judy Sherman at Papers Plus (410-484-7488).
What are the dress requirements for Commencement?
Commencement attire should be formal. Students may elect to wear dresses or pants, but attire should be formal, white, long (ankle-length) and not strapless. Necklines, dress slits and cutouts should be modest and appropriate for the event. Shoes must be suitable for a formal occasion (flip flops are not acceptable). Students will also carry bouquets of Ragged Robins, which will be provided to each student by GFS when they arrive on the day of Commencement.
We are/our family is coming from out of town. Can you recommend nearby hotel accommodations?
The closest hotels to Garrison Forest are the Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre, the Hampton Inn and the Hilton Garden Inn. All three are located in Owings Mills.
- Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre: 410-363-0660
- Hampton Inn: 410-654-2780
- Hilton Garden Inn: 410-654-0030
If you prefer to stay in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor and other attractions, we recommend the following hotels:
- Baltimore Marriott Waterfront: 410-385-3000
- Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore: 410-576-5800
Please note that you will need to make your own travel accommodations to and from the hotel to Garrison Forest.