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.
In This Section
Commencement Information
2025 Commencement Activities: Overview
Thursday, June 5: Wreath Laying at GFS Founder's Grave; Valedictory Reception at Lochinvar
Friday, June 6, 10:00 AM: Commencement
Thursday, June 5
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. Dante Beretta, Middle/Upper School Latin Teacher and School Archivist, will share more about the school’s history and the significance of the moment. (Students only)
Valedictory Reception, 6:00 PM: Following the short wreath-laying ceremony, students and parents/caregivers are invited to a reception hosted at Lochinvar to celebrate the Class of 2025. Please plan to join us for a fun, celebratory evening with light refreshments.
Friday, June 6
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 printed copy of a diagram of the Senior Family Section in the Centennial Courtyard by mail 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
2025 Calendar
Saturday, May 3: Prom at Lochinvar, 8:00-11:00 PM
Thursday, May 15: Vespers in the Chapel, 7:00 PM (Students only)
Friday, May 16: Last Day of Classes for Seniors
Monday, May 19 - Friday, May 30: Independent Senior Projects (ISP)
Wednesday, June 4: Senior ISP Meetings w/Mentors
Thursday, June 5:
- Awards Assembly 8:00-9:30 AM
- Final Advisory
- ISP Presentations
- Senior Sign-Off
- Commencement Rehearsal
- Wreath Laying, 5:30 PM (Students only)
- Valedictory Reception, 6:00 PM
Friday, June 6:
- 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
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, 10 announcements and 16 "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.