Traditions

At the end of April each year, SJS alumni, their families, and past parents are invited back to campus for three days of fun activities. One of the highlights for both our alumni and students is the chance to interact with and get to know each other. 

Commencement weekend includes a number of events to celebrate our graduating class.  The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with a special Sixth Form Dinner at Father Dunnan's house. On Saturday afternoon, Prize Day is held in the Chapel, with scholastic prizes being awarded to students in all forms.

Saturday evening is our Baccalaureate service, a traditional program that gives graduates the chance to reflect on their time at Saint James as they prepare to leave. At its conclusion, all of the graduating students line up around the Senior Circle to form a "hug line." The faculty members go through the line and say goodbye to each student, often with tears in their eyes.

The next day, the sixth formers gather in the Chapel prior to Commencement. They have another opportunity to reflect and sing the school hymn one last time. Then, with their families looking on, they proceed through the Senior Circle to their seats in front of the Senior Steps. After the diplomas have been awarded, the graduating students stand on the Senior Steps and wave their diplomas high in the air. It's a weekend full of celebration, and all of our students look forward to their chance at standing on those Senior Steps.

The SJS Parents' Association holds various special events for students and faculty throughout the year, but a favorite is Cookie Day. Families donate dozens of cookies and other baked goods at the end of the term to give students a sweet treat.

Six times a week, we gather for seated meals, a tradition that has shaped the Saint James community since our founding in 1842. Teachers are joined by students of various forms, interests, opinions, and experiences to eat, relax, laugh, and get to know each other.

Family Weekend is a wonderful opportunity for students to show their families firsthand what they do each day, inside and outside of class. Saint James' program gives a comprehensive view of academic, athletic, and artistic programs. During the three-day event, families have the chance to meet their child's friends, follow their academic schedule and meet their teachers, cheer on their Saints at athletic events, and take in music performances. Families are an important part of the SJS community!

Twice every School year (typically in November and February) we have a special Evensong service (the Anglican Evening Prayer Office in choral form) followed by a traditional dinner in commemoration of one of our three "Great Founders."

Saint James students show up big on Halloween, displaying an enormous amount of creativity with their costumes. Students will plan their costumes well in advance, often coming up with group costume ideas, but keep everything under wraps until the morning of Halloween. Then, they show off their hard work with a parade around the Senior Circle. Faculty judges hand out awards at lunch for the winners of various costume categories.

Collections is unique experience where every student has the opportunity to have a conversation about their growth and goals with the Headmaster. Whether a new or returning student, this is wonderful opportunity for them to reflect on their Saint James experience and think about how else they can connect with or give back to the school and larger community.

The annual Admiral Holloway '39 Wrestling Tournament brings the area's top independent school wrestlers to Saint James.

In the words of Athletic Director Steve Lachut: "So many of our students—wrestlers and non-wrestlers alike—view the Holloway Tournament as one of their favorite events of the year. The noise, the excitement, the highs and lows of the sport wrestling; the humility and courage on full display are all so 'Saint James.'"

The services of Lessons and Carols are a time-honored Saint James tradition that many in our community look forward to each Christmas season. It is a candlelit service with the Chapel beautifully adorned with poinsettias. SJS students, faculty, staff, and parents read the lessons, while the Chapel Choir responds with a beautiful series of carols and anthems.

The readings trace the history of God's redeeming acts: from humanity's fall from grace, through the expectant watchfulness of the people of Israel, and finally to the birth of the Messiah. The readings reach their dramatic conclusion with the solemn proclamation of the God who became flesh and who dwells with his people.

Each year, members of the Saint James community come from far and wide to join us for this memorable service.

On the last Friday of the school year, students compete in the Maroon vs. White Field Day. Students are given commemorative t-shirts and split randomly into teams, and then compete in different challenges, including water relays, bubble soccer, beach volleyball, tug-of-war, musical chairs, and SJS trivia. It's a fun day filled with SJS spirit and pride!

Each year, our youngest students (second formers) take the stage for an annual production. For 23 years, that production was Saint George and the Dragon, and after a five year absence, Saint George made its triumphant return in 2021. The play’s mix of silly but memorable characters, special guest stars, and a slightly rewritten script with plot twists make the show an annual hit.

Says co-director Melanie Regan '00: “Saint George is about having your second formers dive right in headfirst to the Saint James community. It’s like ‘here, you’re a part of us now.’ It’s not about being perfect or knowing your lines, it’s about putting yourself out there. And the community support is just huge.”

Sixth form students are given the opportunity to give a chapel talk during the morning weekday chapel service. The chapel talk can cover any number of topics, but is often a chance for sixth formers to reflect on their time at Saint James, talk about important life lessons, or share something unique about themselves with the school community. It takes courage for our sixth formers to stand in the front of chapel and speak for 10 minutes in front of their teachers and peers, but we all look forward to hearing their words and perspectives.

The SJIT is an annual basketball tournament that began in 1974 that continued for an impressive 29 seasons, before ending in 2002. After a long hiatus, the tournament resumed in March of 2016. The 8-team tournament features many of the best teams and players in the country who compete over three days in front of sold-out crowds in Alumni Hall. Players who have taken the court in the SJIT include: Justin Robinson '15, Grant Golden '16, Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Jonathan Kuminga, RJ Barrett, Tracy McGrady, and Jerry Stackhouse.

Welcome Week is filled with excitement and anticipation for the new academic year. On move-in day, friends are excited to be reunited on campus once again, and new students are welcomed into their dorms to meet their new roommates. The week is filled with a mix of classes, orientation sessions, sports practices, and fun activities.