Traditions

Founded in 1911, the Gunston School has a rich history in which many time-honored traditions have evolved to become part of what we call “The Gunston Experience.” Students (and faculty!) don't just attend school, they join a community and come together to celebrate each other in a myriad of ways. 

Orientation Retreat

Embarkation

GPA Family Tailgate

Green & White Day

Dances

Spirit Week

Gunston Players' Annual Play

Night of the Arts at the Gunston School

Global Awareness Day

In Celebration of Books

Nomi Stone

For nearly three decades, In Celebration of Books has been a revered tradition at Gunston. It began in the boarding school days, where teachers would dress as their favorite authors. In time, the program evolved into a full day of workshops and readings that brought as many as twelve renowned writers to campus. Our current format is designed to provide students with consistent exposure to living writers, whose areas of expertise align with our curricular programming. 

Earth Day

The Gunston School's annual Earth Day celebration focuses on increasing student awareness of the surrounding environment. A wide variety of workshops are available for students to participate in, all geared toward fostering a relationship between students and the environment. Guests from local organizations are invited to spend the day with students and share their knowledge of environmental topics during these workshops.  An engaging "Earth Day Fair" acts as the finale to this day filled with environmental fun. 

Green & White Awards

Each year, Gunston Day School celebrates the achievements of its students through the Green & White Awards Celebration. Pictured above is the awards ceremony from 2019 (in a typical school year). Click on the title above to see how we modified this event for a virtual celebration for Spring 2020.

Bay Studies incorporates all disciplines in its exploration of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. A week long program, Bay Studies draws on both outside agencies such as Outward Bound, Echo Hill Outdoor School, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Sultana Foundation, as well as Gunston's own faculty to explore the various components of life in and around the Bay including environmental studies, history, and social and cultural influences. Primarily experiential, Bay Studies incorporates field trips, analysis of primary sources, in-depth study of specific topics, discussion, journal writing, lab work, computer analysis, and lots and lots of fun.

Disembarkation

When students begin their Gunston Experience, they arrive to campus by boat (Embarkation), and are greeted by outstretched hands and smiling faces of the upperclassmen and faculty. Upon graduation, they once again walk through the receiving line, but this time they said farewell to their friends, family, and faculty as they disembark from Gunston to start their next journey.

Bricklaying

Graduating seniors partake in the annual tradition of laying a brick engraved with their name and graduation year on the pathway leading up to Gunston’s original building, called Middleton House, 

Graduation

Other Gunston Traditions:

  • National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
  • Fall, Winter and Spring Sports Award Ceremonies
  • Grandparents & Special Friends Day
  • Centreville Holiday Parade
  • Junior/Senior Day
  • Yearbook Reveal
  • Headmaster's Holiday