Commencement 2024

Yes.  Family members and guests may attend senior week events; however, specific events have limitations on the number of guests permitted, which will be communicated in advance. The only event that is for students only is the Sixth Form Dinner held on Monday, May 20.

Please use the REGISTER NOW button at the top of this webpage.

You are welcome to make changes to your Commencement registration after your initial submission. Please email Jane Curley with any details that you wish to change (e.g., # of guests, # attending luncheon, dietary preferences, etc.).  Please do not submit another online registration form.  

Tickets are NOT necessary for the Commencement exercises or the Baccalaureate Mass. However, the Chapel has limited seating and can only accommodate two guests per graduating student. We ask all guests to be considerate and honor the two seat limit in the Chapel so all graduates can be represented during the Mass.

Reserved seating is not necessary as there will be ample seating for all guests. Seats are available on a first-come/first-served basis.

Our Chapel has limited seating. We ask that each graduating student be represented by two guests only. 

Boys' Commencement Attire
All boys must wear a navy blue blazer with boutonnieres, khaki dress trousers, solid white shirt, appropriate footwear and the Canterbury necktie. Boys must be clean shaven. Boys will receive boutonnieres and neckties from the School on Commencement morning.

Girls' Commencement Attire
All girls must wear a solid white or off-white dress with appropriate footwear. Please no flip flops. Girls will receive long stemmed roses from the School the morning of Commencement.

Click here for a campus map that includes parking locations. On-campus transportation will be available from all parking lots for those who need assistance.

Sixth Formers should meet at 9:15 AM at the Steers Center.

Robert M. Steele '72 Scholar-Athlete Award
In memory of Robert M. Steele, a model scholar-athlete.
For academic and athletic achievement.

The Charles R. Huntington Scholar-Athlete Award
In memory of Charles R. Huntington - teacher, coach and Athletic Director from 1969-1999. For academic and athletic achievement.

The Elizabeth (Betty) Burke Award
In memory of Mrs. Burke who served the School from 1964 to 1995 in the roles of faculty spouse, parent, hostess, and school nurse. Given to a Sixth Former whose time at Canterbury has been marked by a cheerful determination to serve God and others.

The Richard L. and Mary Catharine Farrelly Award
Presented to that Sixth Form student who serves Canterbury quietly, but thoroughly.

The Class of 1987 Citizenship Award
Awarded by this class to a Sixth Former who in the judgment of classmates has best fulfilled obligations to school, to fellow students, and to self.

The Philip H. Brodie Award
For exceptional achievement and all-around service to the school.

The Dr. Nelson Hume Award
Awarded to the Sixth Former whose leadership, character, and achievements have been of the highest order, and whose performance embodies the ideals of the founding Headmaster.

New England weather in May provides the potential for sun, heat, and humidity. Please dress accordingly with light layers. Water will be available to those attending the event throughout the morning; however, it may also be prudent to bring an umbrella to shade from direct sunlight. There will be areas in the back and side of the audience for those who would like to take a rest from direct sunlight and sit in the shade or use an umbrella. 

The ceremony will be held outdoors, rain or shine. Please plan accordingly in terms of appropriate rain gear, umbrellas, etc. We will move the event indoors only in the event of extreme weather, such as lightning and/or hail. Families are permitted to bring the same number of guests should the ceremony be held indoors.  

Our School Photographer, Rick Giles, will be present and taking photos of the ceremony. Those photos will be available on our Flickr immediately following graduation for public view and download.

Highpoint Photography, a photography agency, will also be taking photos of the ceremony as well as individual photos of families and of our graduates as they cross the stage. These photos are taken free of charge and will be available to purchase approximately two weeks following the ceremony. All parents of graduates will receive information regarding ordering prints via email following the ceremony and are free to contact Highpoint with any additional questions or clarifications. 

Following Commencement, we respectfully request that all seniors and their families depart campus by 2:00 PM.

Canterbury is a mask-optional campus. If anyone in your family's party is not feeling well or presenting COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that they refrain from attending events in person. Most events and the Commencement exercises will be livestreamed. 

Please note that we will continue to monitor the conditions of the pandemic and, if necessary, we will update and communicate any changes to our protocols.