Traditions
Every Ursuline student is part of a rich history and tradition. The mission of St. Angela Merici continues on our campus in Dedham as well as on the campuses of more than 100 Ursuline schools worldwide.
Each year, students look forward to the celebrations and traditions that are uniquely Ursuline. Some of the traditions here at Ursuline Academy in Dedham date back to the school’s founding, while others have been newly created.
Annual Events
Bond Fire
Taking place in early fall, this event celebrates the beginning of the school year and is an opportunity for our community to reconnect after summer break. Complete with firepits and s’mores, big and little sisters from our Big Sister Little Sister mentoring program come together to roast marshmallows and deepen their relationships with one another.
Trunk-or-Treat
Halloween is taken very seriously at Ursuline. Students compete in an impressive costume contest, vying for categories including Best Duo, Most Creative, and Scariest Costume. In addition to a costume contest, students decorate their cars for a “trunk-or-treat” celebration in the parking lot.
Powderpuff and Friendsgiving
Before Thanksgiving break, students gather for a school-wide Friendsgiving lunch. All of the classic elements of a Thanksgiving meal are available.The meal is followed by a Powderpuff flag football. The senior and junior classes face off on the field for a fierce—but fun—game, while the rest of the school cheers them on.
Grandparents Day
On this special day, the seventh and eighth graders welcome their grandparents or special friends to Ursuline. Students are able to give their grandparents a taste of the Ursuline experience, as they share in a prayer service, speaking program, and reception.
Christmas Celebrations
To celebrate the Christmas season, our community (and Santa!) gathers to watch as the Ursuline Christmas tree is lit. We share in caroling, holiday treats, and photos with Santa before congregating in Angela Hall for our Christmas Concert. During the last week before break, homerooms compete in the annual classroom door-decorating contest, and students perform in a festive, light-hearted talent show. Every Christmas season, our Advisory Groups participate in the Clothe-A-Child Giving Program.
Taylor Made
Taylor Made is an evening of a cappella music in May that honors the memory of Taylor Manning ’17. Ursuline’s a cappella group, The Bearitones, host this incredible event. They are joined by other groups from surrounding schools. All proceeds go towards the Taylor Manning ’17 Scholarship fund.
Junior Ring Ceremony
The junior ring ceremony is an important tradition shared with the wider community of Ursuline schools nationwide. During this ceremony, juniors reaffirm their commitment to the Ursuline mission. Upon collecting their class rings carved with the shields of our patronesses St. Angela and St. Ursula, the junior class joins the legacy of Ursuline students as women of integrity, faith, courage, and joy.
Festival of the Arts
This annual event celebrates the work of Ursuline’s visual and performing artists. The Festival of the Arts includes an art showcase, a cappella and choral ensemble concerts, and performances by the theater department, the speech and debate team, and others. This tradition honors the artistry, imagination, and passion of our students.
Senior Celebrations
The annual Senior Parent Brunch begins commencement season.The weeks before graduation include the prom, the annual class “college sweatshirt photo” on the convent steps, and the posting of college choices in the guidance hallway.
During their last week of class, Ursuline seniors celebrate their time at UA by partaking in events like t-shirt tie-dyeing, a parking lot party, and an end-of-the-year countdown during which the senior class stands in a circle holding hands as they count down the final seconds until the bell rings on their last day of classes. On this final day, known as class day, we celebrate our seniors by hosting a school-wide barbeque on the athletic fields.
On graduation weekend, seniors participate in a Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday evening, followed by Commencement on campus on Sunday afternoon. Graduates wear long white dresses and carry bouquets of red roses, as they have done at most Ursuline schools for decades. Each year, one senior receives the Serviam Award, given by Ursuline schools worldwide to reward outstanding traits of leadership in service, awareness of others, acceptance of responsibility, and academic achievement.
School Spirit
School spirit is strong here at Ursuline Academy, and you will hear the loud refrain of the school anthem “Serviam” sung by the student body at the end of every Mass and assembly. We celebrate the feast day of St. Ursula, the patron saint of the Ursulines, each October, and the Feast of St. Angela Merici, the foundress of the Ursuline order, in January. Students also look forward to Spirit Week each semester, when uniforms are set aside for a dress code based on a different theme each day. Throughout the year, each grade accumulates “Grizzly Grind” points, awarded for participation, excellence, and spirit during different events.