Polytechnic School

Last week at Poly, our promotion and Commencement events showcased a community filled with pride and students becoming the best version of themselves. From Fifth-Grade Promotion and Eighth-Grade Promotion to Commencement for the Class of 2026, each celebration marked an important milestone in our students’ journeys. We couldn’t be prouder, and three cheers for the Poly community! 💙🧡

From Senior Sunrise to Sunset, Outdoor Ed on the Kern River to Chalk Day, Acorns to Oak Trees, and countless moments in between, it has been a joy to honor the Class of 2026 throughout their final year at Poly. As these graduates begin their next chapter, we are proud to welcome them into our alumni community. Wherever life takes you, Poly will always welcome you home. Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🧡🎓✨

This morning, we celebrated each member of the Class of 2030 and their unique qualities and accomplishments at Eighth-Grade Honors Day! 🎇🎓👏 During tonight's Eighth-Grade Promotion, we will proudly celebrate the class as they begin the next chapter of their education journey following memorable Middle School experiences such as the Colorado River Outdoor Education trip and Project Week. Congrats to the Class of 2030!

Fifth Grade Promotion kicked off our end-of-year celebrations this week! 🧑‍🎓🎊 We are proud to recognize this remarkable class, whose Lower School journey began with online learning and concluded with Poly’s first-ever fifth-grade Outdoor Education trip. Congratulations to the Class of 2033 on this milestone achievement. We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in Middle School!

Hear ye, hear ye! Medieval Day once again reigned supreme in the Middle School. ⚔️👑 Students donned handmade tunics and hats before holding court in a transformed Founders Hall, complete with a feast fit for a king. Along the way, students enjoyed stained-glass crafts, bocce matches, combat techniques, and got a firsthand look at medieval armaments with historical consultant Charles Currier. It was a royally fun day for all!

Eighth graders returned from their Colorado River trip even more bonded and ready for high school! 🚣🥾🐸 The Class of 2030 enjoyed morning dips, canoe adventures, sauna caves, and hot springs. A big thank you to Middle School Outdoor Ed Coordinator Andy Schneider and our chaperones for making this a memorable experience.

The Global Scholars Luncheon celebrated the remarkable work graduating seniors completed throughout the year. Students shared capstone projects reflecting their commitment to learning beyond Poly through global coursework, cultural experiences, and language study. Faculty, families, and peers gathered to honor not only the students’ achievements, but also the transformative work of the PolyGlobal program under the leadership of Rick Caragher. These experiences continue to shape globally minded graduates and bring our Portrait of a Graduate to life.

Ready, set, go! 🏅 Lower School Olympic Day returned last week with an afternoon full of teamwork, school spirit, and fun. Students in grades three through five on color-corresponding teams of red, blue, and green competed in fun activities across Babcock Field and in our gyms. Panther pride was in full effect, thanks to our spirited PE coaches!

Last week, the Class of 2026 participated in Chalk Day, a beloved Poly tradition that began in 2013 to share college news with the broader community. As part of Senior Week, Chalk Day features students sketching their future college mascot and logos on McWilliams Courtyard. Congratulations to our graduating seniors!

Poly’s Film Program hosted the annual Poly Film Fest this month. 🎞️🎥 This year’s festival, “The Experimental Pulse,” featured 15 student short films spanning a wide range of cinematic styles, all connected by a shared exploration of the human experience. From film noir and zombie memoir to documentary, drama, and experimental cinema, students examined the question: How do moving images move us? A big thank you to our student panel moderators Cici L. ’26, Sabreen E.-A. ’27, Sophie A. ’26, and Mackenzie R. ’28. Check out all the films here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCZe4A_rp3Q&list=PLZvSDlzFVbArwQQhV2lnlOwZhaTZjljXz&pp=sAgC