St. Michael's Episcopal School Traditions

Annual School Events
Better than any school in the area, Saint Michael’s Academy has remembered how to mark the cycles of the
year with pageantry and fun. Many people are unused to schools that still celebrate May Day, or have never
experienced a school small enough for all ages to attend a Thanksgiving Pageant. While they perform, the students
learn the poise and verve that are hallmarks of St Michaels. Read on to learn all about our unique collection of
celebrations. Then check this year’s school calendar for dates so you can see them for yourself!

Opening Chapel, Blessing of the Backpacks
The academic year begins with Opening Chapel.  Students in dress uniform attend this special chapel service with parents and friends.  During this chapel service, students in each grade level, beginning with Junior K and proceeding through Grade 12, gather at the front of the chapel with their backpacks for the “Blessing of the Backpacks”.

Blessing of the Car Keys
When a student receives his/her driver’s license, the student may request the “Blessing of the Car Keys” during a Community Chapel.

St. Michael’s Day at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Bryan, celebrates the Feast of St. Michael’s each year on the last Sunday of September. Typically, on this Sunday, the St. Michael’s Episcopal School Chapel Choir sings during the 11:00 a.m.
service; and the Head of School serves as the guest preacher at three services (7:30 a.m.; 9:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.).  St. Andrew’s invites all school faculty, staff and families to be a part of the St. Michael’s Day celebration.

Michaelmas Celebration
St. Michael’s Episcopal School students, faculty, staff and parents celebrate the Feast of St. Michael in late September of each year with a program featuring stories of St. Michael acted out by students in each grade level.

Episcopal Schools Celebration Week
The National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) provides program resources for the annual Episcopal School Celebration during the first full week of October.

Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta
Each January, students in grades 7-12 perform a Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta.  They begin learning their music early in the fall and try out for lead roles in November.  After Christmas break, the students have a revised academic schedule allowing for intensive rehearsals at the theater cluminating in 4 outstanding performances in mid-January. 

Service Learning Days
Our school calendar includes one day each semester dedicated to Service Learning. Students and teachers
in each academic division (and some grade levels within the divisions) plan Service Learning opportunities for
students. High School juniors and seniors and eighth graders (as leaders in the Middle School) plan service learning as part of their fall retreats and continue to work on these plans during the school year.