Building community and a sense of belonging is at the heart of our GDS traditions.
Our all-school celebrations and main assemblies throughout the year foster a shared identity that will follow you through to adulthood! You’ll create fond memories, enhance your learning experiences, and be part of building a holistic school culture.
Five Main Assemblies
LS Gratitude Assembly
LS Christmas Peace Assembly
MS Christmas Peace Assembly
HS Christmas Peace Assembly
Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Assembly (LS)
Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Assembly (HS)
Social Justice Teach-In Day (MS)
Social Justice Teach-In Day (HS)
LS Passover Freedom Assembly
LS Free-to-be-Me Assembly
MS Pride Assembly
One special part of our all-school traditions are our main assemblies. From the very first days of the School, which was founded to be religiously and racially inclusive, GDS celebrated Christmas and Passover.
At each of our three school divisions, students celebrate the following assemblies in different ways. No matter what, as Gladys Stern, our third director, wrote, “...[W]e encourage a formal feeling of respect for the beliefs and values represented in our student body. The celebrations…express universal messages of peace, freedom, and the dignity of the human spirit.”
- Gratitude Assembly (November)
- Christmas Peace Assembly (December)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Assembly (LS) & Teach-In Days (MS/HS) (January)
- Passover Freedom Assembly (April)
- Free-to-be-Me, Pride (MS/HS, LS) (May)
Other All-School Celebrations & Gatherings
![A group of people, mostly young, standing in a field surrounded by colorful, abstract structures or sculptures, creating a vibrant and playful atmosphere.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1750874013/gdsorg/b4hqfbqqmhj3xa1jqcay/All_School_Assembly_senior_tunnel.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1750874013/gdsorg/b4hqfbqqmhj3xa1jqcay/All_School_Assembly_senior_tunnel.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1750874013/gdsorg/b4hqfbqqmhj3xa1jqcay/All_School_Assembly_senior_tunnel.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1750874013/gdsorg/b4hqfbqqmhj3xa1jqcay/All_School_Assembly_senior_tunnel.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1750874013/gdsorg/b4hqfbqqmhj3xa1jqcay/All_School_Assembly_senior_tunnel.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1750874013/gdsorg/b4hqfbqqmhj3xa1jqcay/All_School_Assembly_senior_tunnel.jpg","width":2200}])
Opening All-School Assembly
Opening All-School Assembly
September
Every student from PK to senior heads to the LMS field for a One GDS celebration–often with the Hopper in attendance, and sometimes with an all-school dance-off.
![Sports Saturday]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751663768/gdsorg/vvxi8pyd18pvxuvjooov/Parents_Card_SportsSaturday2023.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751663768/gdsorg/vvxi8pyd18pvxuvjooov/Parents_Card_SportsSaturday2023.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751663768/gdsorg/vvxi8pyd18pvxuvjooov/Parents_Card_SportsSaturday2023.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751663768/gdsorg/vvxi8pyd18pvxuvjooov/Parents_Card_SportsSaturday2023.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751663768/gdsorg/vvxi8pyd18pvxuvjooov/Parents_Card_SportsSaturday2023.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1751663768/gdsorg/vvxi8pyd18pvxuvjooov/Parents_Card_SportsSaturday2023.jpg","width":1800}])
Sports Saturday
Sports Saturday
September
No matter your grade level, Sports Saturday has something for you. Come join your friends at the High School and cheer for our varsity and JV sports teams.
![LMS Halloween Parade]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762354287/gdsorg/gdsorg/gdsorg/uokq9g6ap3at9dn8jmac/LS_Traditions_Halloween_2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762354287/gdsorg/gdsorg/gdsorg/uokq9g6ap3at9dn8jmac/LS_Traditions_Halloween_2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762354287/gdsorg/gdsorg/gdsorg/uokq9g6ap3at9dn8jmac/LS_Traditions_Halloween_2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1762354287/gdsorg/gdsorg/gdsorg/uokq9g6ap3at9dn8jmac/LS_Traditions_Halloween_2025.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1762354287/gdsorg/gdsorg/gdsorg/uokq9g6ap3at9dn8jmac/LS_Traditions_Halloween_2025.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762354287/gdsorg/gdsorg/gdsorg/uokq9g6ap3at9dn8jmac/LS_Traditions_Halloween_2025.jpg","width":1800}])
Halloween Parade
Halloween Parade
October
Come for the costumes, stay for the cheer for this annual march around the LMS field.
![Country Market Day 2024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762353665/gdsorg/gdsorg/qem12encrvq9eopyurn2/CMD_card.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762353665/gdsorg/gdsorg/qem12encrvq9eopyurn2/CMD_card.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762353665/gdsorg/gdsorg/qem12encrvq9eopyurn2/CMD_card.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1762353665/gdsorg/gdsorg/qem12encrvq9eopyurn2/CMD_card.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1762353665/gdsorg/gdsorg/qem12encrvq9eopyurn2/CMD_card.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762353665/gdsorg/gdsorg/qem12encrvq9eopyurn2/CMD_card.jpg","width":1800}])
Country Market Day
Country Market Day
October
Our beloved annual outdoor fall festival—packed with food, games, and fun!—is a highly spirited event for the entire GDS community.
Learn More
![A person in a brown coat is standing at a podium with the "GDS" logo, speaking into a microphone in front of a brick wall.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1752879457/gdsorg/dt8mh6mkivxjwggf3qcl/Andrea_Elliott_BenCooperLecture.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1752879457/gdsorg/dt8mh6mkivxjwggf3qcl/Andrea_Elliott_BenCooperLecture.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1752879457/gdsorg/dt8mh6mkivxjwggf3qcl/Andrea_Elliott_BenCooperLecture.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1752879457/gdsorg/dt8mh6mkivxjwggf3qcl/Andrea_Elliott_BenCooperLecture.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1752879457/gdsorg/dt8mh6mkivxjwggf3qcl/Andrea_Elliott_BenCooperLecture.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1752879457/gdsorg/dt8mh6mkivxjwggf3qcl/Andrea_Elliott_BenCooperLecture.jpg","width":1800}])
Benjamin Cooper Memorial Lecture
Benjamin Cooper Memorial Lecture
November
The annual lecture, in memory of student Ben Cooper '98, features a renowned guest lecturer to stimulate thought-provoking conversation around current events.
![Grandparents Day]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751480817/gdsorg/iq65pvg9ke9jjmhqoaje/Parents_Card_2025GPSF_Day.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751480817/gdsorg/iq65pvg9ke9jjmhqoaje/Parents_Card_2025GPSF_Day.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751480817/gdsorg/iq65pvg9ke9jjmhqoaje/Parents_Card_2025GPSF_Day.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751480817/gdsorg/iq65pvg9ke9jjmhqoaje/Parents_Card_2025GPSF_Day.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751480817/gdsorg/iq65pvg9ke9jjmhqoaje/Parents_Card_2025GPSF_Day.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1751480817/gdsorg/iq65pvg9ke9jjmhqoaje/Parents_Card_2025GPSF_Day.jpg","width":1920}])
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day
April
Grandparents and special friends of our LMS students are invited to visit the school to experience the teaching and learning that occurs each day.
![In the foreground, a group of smiling children and teenagers are interacting in a hallway, while the background shows a long, brightly lit corridor with more people walking.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783701496/gdsorg/hlcsgeloxa6lfh5dhdgb/HS_Traditions_Senior_Walk.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1783701496/gdsorg/hlcsgeloxa6lfh5dhdgb/HS_Traditions_Senior_Walk.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1783701496/gdsorg/hlcsgeloxa6lfh5dhdgb/HS_Traditions_Senior_Walk.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783701496/gdsorg/hlcsgeloxa6lfh5dhdgb/HS_Traditions_Senior_Walk.jpg","width":1000}])
Senior Walk
Senior Walk
April
On the last day of classes for GDS seniors, the entire school lines the hallways and fields to give the graduating class a celebratory send-off with signs, hugs, and cheers.
![Graduation 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751046270/gdsorg/xcygg6xodkj1gxyfwgvi/Parents_Card_Graduation_2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751046270/gdsorg/xcygg6xodkj1gxyfwgvi/Parents_Card_Graduation_2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751046270/gdsorg/xcygg6xodkj1gxyfwgvi/Parents_Card_Graduation_2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751046270/gdsorg/xcygg6xodkj1gxyfwgvi/Parents_Card_Graduation_2025.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751046270/gdsorg/xcygg6xodkj1gxyfwgvi/Parents_Card_Graduation_2025.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1751046270/gdsorg/xcygg6xodkj1gxyfwgvi/Parents_Card_Graduation_2025.jpg","width":1920}])
Graduation
Graduation
June
After a culmination of rigorous studies and unique experiences, GDS honors the senior class with a ceremony and reception.
Divisional Traditions
Lower School
Middle School
High School
“It is most important that we should try in every way to understand each other. One of the best ways [to do so] is through participation in each other’s days of joy.” — Aggie O’Neil, GDS’s first Head of School