“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”

–William Butler yeats

From high school graduation at the beginning of June through this week, I have had the privilege of joining many end-of-the-year celebrations and ceremonies. Each is unique in its way, and each event marks a transition. Completing high school, middle school, elementary school, kindergarten and everything in between are transitions worth acknowledging and celebrating. (Of course, it is also worth celebrating that the summer holiday has begun!) 

The end of year assemblies in the ES, MS, and HS also recognized the students who are transitioning out of AAS–wearing their green “leavers’ shirt” that are covered with signatures and messages from friends.

To those who are leaving AAS, you will be missed, but please know that you are always part of the AAS community–please come by for a visit when you can.

This year, the students of AAS excelled. They excelled in their learning, in athletics and activities, in the arts, in service, and everything else. Most importantly, they excelled in friendships and in making AAS an amazing community. At every event this June, students who spoke shared that the most important and fun part of their school year and/or time at AAS was their time with friends, friends new and old. One Pre-Kindergarten leaving student spoke through the microphone, and I couldn’t understand what he said. Nonetheless, it was the sweetest thing I’ve heard. I found out later that he had talked about his friends too. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: the AAS community is one of the big reasons our students excel. 

Maintaining and improving a community requires effort from everyone–parents, staff, and students. Thank you for making AAS a wonderful place to be and a hard place to leave.

Whether you will be transitioning somewhere else for the next school or we’ll see you back here in August, I hope you had an excellent 2025-26 school year, and I wish you the best for a fun and relaxing summer.

“Let’s wander where the WiFi is weak and the sun is strong.”

-Anonymous