As the summer weeks pass and the 2024-2025 school year approaches, nostalgia hangs in the air as remnants of the 2023-2024 school year mill around the campus. The last few weeks of the past school year is regarded as one of the busiest times of the school year as celebratory events are held consecutively within one week. With two graduation ceremonies and a moving up ceremony, San Diego French-American School ends each year by recognizing the academic achievements of the students and the diligence and passion of the educators who guide them.
5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony
Graduation season at SDFAS begins with a Moving Up Ceremony for 5th graders to say their goodbyes to their Elementary years, and anticipate the new challenges their Middle School years will bring. To the delight of our students, most goodbyes are short lived and only last for the summer. Many rest in the comfort that their peers will return in August. Parents are invited for a morning to attend a brief, but uplifting ceremony followed by a potluck, as students spend some time taking photos and signing memorabilia and keepsakes to remind them of their time at SDFAS. As gifts and tearful goodbyes are exchanged, lively conversations echo in the lunch area, as students reminisce about their memorable class experiences, field trips and excursions at AstroCamp, and the impact their teachers have had on their lives.
Kindergarten Graduation
Once the morning activities pass, preparations for the afternoon festivities begin. As introductory speeches kick off the ceremony and hype up the crowd, Kindergarteners are ushered into the auditorium wearing their vibrant purple cap and gowns. After each student is called up to receive their diplomas, the ceremony ends with an introduction from Elementary Director, Sylvie Toudic to welcome students to 1st grade. In typical Maternelle fashion, families are treated to a musical number; leaving them beaming with pride and moving to the beat. The event concludes with a potluck and opportunities to mingle, take photos, and exchange celebratory gifts and keepsakes.
8th Grade Graduation
As a cyclone of emotions continues to weave its way through the heart of our community, the 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony is saved for last as a penultimate graduation ceremony. 8th Graders are invited on stage for individual speeches to commemorate their Middle School journey. Students highlight their accomplishments, give shoutouts to their friends, and express their appreciation to the faculty members who are essential in helping them reach this academic milestone. Families listen and sit through 17 rounds of speeches, some humorous, some sentimental, and some a mixture of both. Once the speeches are shared and a closing statement delivered by Head of School, Isabelle David, the new graduates proudly adjust their tassels before erupting in cheers and tossing their caps in the air. The event concludes with an evening gathering; inviting families and faculty for a dinner and photo opportunities with graduation backdrops. The evening winds down with goodbyes and promises to keep in touch are exchanged.While our alumni go their separate ways, they all have a new era to look forward to: the first day of high school!
Congratulations to all graduating SDFAS students in 2024! San Diego French-American School looks forward to welcoming returning students back to campus in August.
