Celebrating 80 Years of Community
In 1945, a group of visionary parents took a bold step to create a school unlike any other in Washington, DC—one rooted in justice, inclusion, and the belief that all children deserve to learn together. Eighty years later, Georgetown Day School continues to live out that founding promise.
As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we honor the trailblazers who started it all, the educators who shape our students each day, and the generations of graduates who carry GDS values into the world. This milestone is more than a moment of reflection—it's a celebration of who we are, what we’ve built together, and where we’re headed next.
Join us throughout the year as we look back with pride, celebrate our present, and imagine a bold, joyful future for the next 80 years. We can’t wait to see you!
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80th Anniversary Events
RSVP, Save the Date, or Look Back!
80th Anniversary Kick-Off Picnic
August 23, 2025
Benjamin Cooper Memorial Lecture
November 19, 2025 @ GDS LMS
Country Market Day & GDS’s 80th Birthday
October 18, 2025 @ GDS
80th Anniversary Celebration
May 2, 2026 @ National Portrait Gallery
OTHER WAYS WE’LL CELEBRATE
The celebrations will continue throughout the 2025-26 school year, with special activities for students, families, alumni, and more.
- All-School Welcome Back Assembly Birthday Party
- 80 Reasons Students ♥️ GDS
- 80 X 80: Stories of GDS
- GDS archives installation
- Celebratory swag and GDS illustration
- Speakers & performances events
- Alumni Reunion Weekend
- 80th anniversary magazine special edition
- GDS Design Day event
- Alumni regional events
![All-School Welcome Back Assembly Birthday Party]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758818194/gdsorg/whkf9lpewqkipifx1fxf/80th_field_assembly_2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1758818194/gdsorg/whkf9lpewqkipifx1fxf/80th_field_assembly_2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1758818194/gdsorg/whkf9lpewqkipifx1fxf/80th_field_assembly_2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1758818194/gdsorg/whkf9lpewqkipifx1fxf/80th_field_assembly_2025.jpg","width":1000}])
Our Storied Past
![Welcome to Georgetown Day School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757710799/gdsorg/huhe62pckiqygs0w9nhz/IMG_1132-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757710799/gdsorg/huhe62pckiqygs0w9nhz/IMG_1132-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1757710799/gdsorg/huhe62pckiqygs0w9nhz/IMG_1132-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757710799/gdsorg/huhe62pckiqygs0w9nhz/IMG_1132-2.jpg","width":1000}])
![In the Folk Tradition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757530788/gdsorg/xpx1x05wz1fwzjkhudjn/PhileoNash_classroom.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757530788/gdsorg/xpx1x05wz1fwzjkhudjn/PhileoNash_classroom.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1757530788/gdsorg/xpx1x05wz1fwzjkhudjn/PhileoNash_classroom.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757530788/gdsorg/xpx1x05wz1fwzjkhudjn/PhileoNash_classroom.jpg","width":1000}])
![The Audacious Beginning]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758549404/gdsorg/lyjaduezi1854aorjzvo/AnearlyGDSclassroom.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1758549404/gdsorg/lyjaduezi1854aorjzvo/AnearlyGDSclassroom.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1758549404/gdsorg/lyjaduezi1854aorjzvo/AnearlyGDSclassroom.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1758549404/gdsorg/lyjaduezi1854aorjzvo/AnearlyGDSclassroom.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1758549404/gdsorg/lyjaduezi1854aorjzvo/AnearlyGDSclassroom.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1758549404/gdsorg/lyjaduezi1854aorjzvo/AnearlyGDSclassroom.jpg","width":2200}])
![Hard Work and No Worry = Unconventional Excellence]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758906880/gdsorg/mdeexluoaahh1uknbit3/HardWork_thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1758906880/gdsorg/mdeexluoaahh1uknbit3/HardWork_thumb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1758906880/gdsorg/mdeexluoaahh1uknbit3/HardWork_thumb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1758906880/gdsorg/mdeexluoaahh1uknbit3/HardWork_thumb.jpg","width":1000}])
![Traditions of our Own Making]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759510275/gdsorg/jyjxqluh7qakglfuypvq/traditionsstory_80th-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759510275/gdsorg/jyjxqluh7qakglfuypvq/traditionsstory_80th-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1759510275/gdsorg/jyjxqluh7qakglfuypvq/traditionsstory_80th-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759510275/gdsorg/jyjxqluh7qakglfuypvq/traditionsstory_80th-1.jpg","width":1000}])
![Leading With Imagination: Russell Shaw and the GDS Creative Thread]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760120425/gdsorg/megihfxnyxmctovnffi7/80th_stories-Russell-creative-3.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760120425/gdsorg/megihfxnyxmctovnffi7/80th_stories-Russell-creative-3.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760120425/gdsorg/megihfxnyxmctovnffi7/80th_stories-Russell-creative-3.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760120425/gdsorg/megihfxnyxmctovnffi7/80th_stories-Russell-creative-3.png","width":1000}])
![Honk if You Love Rainbows: GDS Students Respond to Hate with Advocacy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760717443/gdsorg/njts8bmdhbapnlom32iz/80th_story_Honkifyouloverainbows.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760717443/gdsorg/njts8bmdhbapnlom32iz/80th_story_Honkifyouloverainbows.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760717443/gdsorg/njts8bmdhbapnlom32iz/80th_story_Honkifyouloverainbows.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760717443/gdsorg/njts8bmdhbapnlom32iz/80th_story_Honkifyouloverainbows.jpg","width":1000}])
![What's in a Name? (or Title)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761341719/gdsorg/iirt3gxufry6cdowgrn9/nameslogo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1761341719/gdsorg/iirt3gxufry6cdowgrn9/nameslogo.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1761341719/gdsorg/iirt3gxufry6cdowgrn9/nameslogo.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1761341719/gdsorg/iirt3gxufry6cdowgrn9/nameslogo.jpg","width":1000}])
![Authentically GDS: A Long History of Celebrating]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761358035/gdsorg/q2y8pejlve1kmehwx3yv/Authentically_GDS_80thstory-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1761358035/gdsorg/q2y8pejlve1kmehwx3yv/Authentically_GDS_80thstory-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1761358035/gdsorg/q2y8pejlve1kmehwx3yv/Authentically_GDS_80thstory-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1761358035/gdsorg/q2y8pejlve1kmehwx3yv/Authentically_GDS_80thstory-2.jpg","width":1000}])
![From Marshmallows to Mimes: The GDS Way of Saying Goodbye]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761935019/gdsorg/efk46ox9fcj4hbylpgul/Marshmallows_prank-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1761935019/gdsorg/efk46ox9fcj4hbylpgul/Marshmallows_prank-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1761935019/gdsorg/efk46ox9fcj4hbylpgul/Marshmallows_prank-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1761935019/gdsorg/efk46ox9fcj4hbylpgul/Marshmallows_prank-1.jpg","width":1000}])
![Learning Beyond Walls: A Vision that Continues to Unfold]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762536801/gdsorg/exvwsmzllxwgo4swf2rp/LearningBeyondWalls-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762536801/gdsorg/exvwsmzllxwgo4swf2rp/LearningBeyondWalls-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762536801/gdsorg/exvwsmzllxwgo4swf2rp/LearningBeyondWalls-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762536801/gdsorg/exvwsmzllxwgo4swf2rp/LearningBeyondWalls-1.jpg","width":1000}])
![Dancing with Integrity: The Legacy of Ethel Butler at GDS]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763091829/gdsorg/m6hdefjbfp09pt9wxiwj/80th_dancing_with_integrity-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763091829/gdsorg/m6hdefjbfp09pt9wxiwj/80th_dancing_with_integrity-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763091829/gdsorg/m6hdefjbfp09pt9wxiwj/80th_dancing_with_integrity-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763091829/gdsorg/m6hdefjbfp09pt9wxiwj/80th_dancing_with_integrity-1.jpg","width":1000}])
![Rooted in Purpose: The Story of GDS’s Forever Home]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763509880/gdsorg/xb9iwbvj8g7gkkclosun/campusrenderingthumb.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763509880/gdsorg/xb9iwbvj8g7gkkclosun/campusrenderingthumb.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763509880/gdsorg/xb9iwbvj8g7gkkclosun/campusrenderingthumb.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763509880/gdsorg/xb9iwbvj8g7gkkclosun/campusrenderingthumb.png","width":1000}])
![A Legacy of Families: The Historical Role of Parents at GDS]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764095564/gdsorg/qsymne87hnzd55zdweqw/80th_GDS_families.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764095564/gdsorg/qsymne87hnzd55zdweqw/80th_GDS_families.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764095564/gdsorg/qsymne87hnzd55zdweqw/80th_GDS_families.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764095564/gdsorg/qsymne87hnzd55zdweqw/80th_GDS_families.jpg","width":1000}])
![Courage, Creativity, and the Early Arts of GDS]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764967002/gdsorg/exhiygykkkmyw0cgt8ck/dante_80th.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764967002/gdsorg/exhiygykkkmyw0cgt8ck/dante_80th.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764967002/gdsorg/exhiygykkkmyw0cgt8ck/dante_80th.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764967002/gdsorg/exhiygykkkmyw0cgt8ck/dante_80th.jpg","width":1000}])
![The Ghost of GDS’s Christmas Past]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1765551367/gdsorg/d1umiaeegivoyh9bboqr/80th_Christmas_assemblies.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1765551367/gdsorg/d1umiaeegivoyh9bboqr/80th_Christmas_assemblies.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1765551367/gdsorg/d1umiaeegivoyh9bboqr/80th_Christmas_assemblies.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1765551367/gdsorg/d1umiaeegivoyh9bboqr/80th_Christmas_assemblies.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1765551367/gdsorg/d1umiaeegivoyh9bboqr/80th_Christmas_assemblies.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1765551367/gdsorg/d1umiaeegivoyh9bboqr/80th_Christmas_assemblies.jpg","width":2200}])
THANK YOU TO OUR GDS 80TH ANNIVERSARY VOLUNTEERS
Abby Schneiderman '98
Alexis Albion
Alissa Peruzzini
Amy Leveton
Anabel Genetski
Andrew Der '70
Annie Whatley
Anu Saurkar
Anu Tate
Ateesha Lacoste
Ben Nussdorf '00
Betsy Keeley
Bobby Asher
Bryan Williams
Carole Hirsch '94
Cathy Stocker
Cathy Strong
Cecilia Kang
Christi Hay
Christina Batipps '97
Christine Ballenger
Dani Seiss
Diane Gross
Dina Elboghdady
Ed Levin
Elizabeth Westfall
Gloria Runyon
Grayce Niles '14
Grayson Shepperd '11
Hilary Nover '86
Joanne Goldberg
Joel Kanter
Joyce DePass
Juan Acosta
Judith Wiesberg
Judy Brown
Julia Blount '08
Julia Fisher '09
Julia Tomasko ‘05
Julie Fanburg '89
Julie Joachim '98
Justin Bernstine '95
Kanya Bennett
Kathy Hudson
Katie Lindsey
Katie Wood
Kelli Barron
Kelly Morris
Kelsey Twist Schroeder
Khalid Daniels
Kia Thomas '14
Laura Rosberg
Lisa Rauschart
Liz Levine '02
Luke Fedorchak '24
Marc Glosserman
Maria Rodriguez
Michele Harrington
Mindy Strelitz
Moji Jimoh '07
Nienke Grossman '95
Oveta Willie-Jenkins
Patrice Taylor
Paul Levy
Quinn Killy
Ralph Cunningham '79
Stephanie Migdail '08
Sue Ikenberry
Sue Schaffer
Viyas Sundaram
Will Rapaport
80 years strong—Messages from GDS Community Members
Can't wait to see what this year at GDS brings. Happy to celebrate 80 years strong.
Current Parent
Here's to 80 more years of community and inspiring our children to be kind and critical thinkers!
Current Parent
For eight decades, Georgetown Day School has stood as a community of engaged parents, dedicated educators, and joyful students. Students are empowered to think deeply, embrace diversity, and act with purpose to transform the society in which they live for the better. As we honor the history of GDS and look toward the future, we uphold our shared values and confidently move forward together to confront and conquer the challenges that lie ahead.
Current Parent
Looking forward to another 80 years of a diverse and inclusive community!
Current Parent
Look to the African principle of Sankofa- "Reflect on the past to build a successful future."
Current Parent