The Hockaday Experience
Traditions
Connecting the Past and Present
At Hockaday, girls form lifelong friendships that will carry them through their lives. Hockaday's many storied traditions connect the past with the present and provide connection and community-building for each Daisy. These traditions are meaningful for our students, faculty, families, and alumnae, and provide a bridge between generations of students.
Upper School Traditions
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Commencement
On a beautiful evening in May, the senior class crosses the Ashley H. Priddy Commencement Terrace and receives their diplomas. Many time-honored traditions make Hockaday Commencement ceremony special: the walk from Teardrop Garden down the Metzger stairs, the Honor Guard gladiola arch, and the beautiful flower baskets. -
Senior Solos
Traditionally, Hockaday Seniors perform and exhibit solo presentations in their selected Fine Art. This annual tradition is a favorite and one our seniors never forget! -
Form Day
Forms I, II, and III compete in Form Day to win the spirit stick, given to the class that exhibits the most school spirit and best sportsmanship, along with winning competitions between forms. -
Junior Research Paper
A rite of passage for all Upper School students, the Junior Research Paper aims to give girls a sense of college-level research, thesis development, writing and revising. The 10-page paper begins in the fall with topic development through the Form III U.S. History courses, and can cover any area, as long as it relates to U.S. history. -
Ring Day
At the end of their Form III year, students receive a jade ring they wear as seniors. Ela Hockaday selected the jade stone because it was a symbol of wisdom, and the first ring was designed in 1917 by Tiffany & Co. -
Daisy Days
Senior parents organize Daisy Days throughout the year, and students love the themed lunches, photo booths, games, and more! -
Founder's Day Awards
Since 1959, members of the senior class have been nominated by faculty and peers for this distinguished award. The recipients embody the Four Cornerstones of Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics. -
Return To Your Roots
Seniors who attended Hockaday in the Lower School are invited to return for a special program. The afternoon is a walk down Lower School memory lane with Fourth Grade students reading memories submitted by Seniors and their parents. -
Senior Splash Day
Senior Splash Day is a sun-soaked day of fun! Students decorate their skirts with their college branding, drench their advisors, college counselors, and underclassmen while enjoying lunch, games, and water slides.
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Middle School Traditions
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Fifth Grade Authors
For the past 29 years, English students have culminated their learning by writing their own narratives. Pre-K, Kindergarten/Primer, and First Grade students and teachers are gracious audience members for these budding authors. -
Green and White Day
One of Hockaday’s most beloved Middle School traditions is the year-long competition as students vie to earn points for either the Green or White team during PE, and at the end the year, participate in Green and White Day, complete with a pep rally, dance off, water games and a tug-of-war competition to earn points. Each team earns points for Spirit, Winning, and Sportsmanship. -
Eighth Grade Musical
The tradition of the Hockaday musical goes back to 1954, when Hockaday became the first school in the Southwest to do a full-book musical – the tradition of the Eighth Grade musical followed soon after. Every Eighth Grader participates - either on stage or behind the scenes. -
Fifth Grade Olympics
Students learn about the history and traditions of the Olympics, and in the spring, each girl is assigned a country and competes as an individual and team in a variety of events. -
Middle School Bazaar
Each Middle School advisory creates an item to sell at the holiday bazaar. Students, faculty, and parents stop by to shop, and all proceeds go toward a nonprofit chosen by the Middle School Student Council. -
Eighth Grade Graduation
Eighth Graders head to Upper School with a special ceremony to celebrate the end of their time in Middle School, featuring a class speaker and song. -
Williamsburg and Washington DC Trip
Sixth Graders love their week-long trip to Williamsburg and Washington DC. They visit Jamestown Settlement, Ford’s Theatre, the International Spy Museum, the Jefferson, Martin Luther King, Jr. and World War II memorials, museums, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Archives, and more!
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Lower School Traditions
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Alumnae Pen Pals
Fourth Graders have a special pen pal - an Alumnae celebrating her 50th reunion! During the year, the girls and alumna write letters, and on Alumnae Day, girls meet their pen pal. This special tradition began more than 25 years ago with retired faculty member Pat Coggan and introduces girls to letter-writing conventions. -
Fourth Grade Leaders
Fourth Graders are the leaders of Lower School, and develop leadership skills by leading gatherings, helping at carpool, and speaking on Admission panels. To symbolize this responsibility, they receive a special pin at the beginning of the year. -
Lower School Gatherings
Lower School students and faculty gather during the year to hear from speakers, learn from other students, sing, and celebrate birthdays. Fourth Graders lead the Gatherings, and all girls recite the Hockaday pledges and values. -
Musical Productions
Each grade puts on a special production for parents and students. Teachers integrate curriculum into the musicals, with themes like Lewis and Clark, nature, seasons, and more! Girls each have a chance to speak in front of an audience, and learn to memorize lines and songs. -
Poetry and Literature
Each year, Lower School publishes the Hockadaisy magazine, featuring Lower School creations. The Patrizi Award, given in honor of former Hockaday student Catherine Patrizi, goes to a Lower School student who has found joy and beauty in the reading and writing of poetry. -
Pre K Circus
Since the early 1980s, the youngest Daisies have performed a special circus at the end of the year for parents and students. This beloved event is followed by a carnival for families. -
Rotunda Rocks
Prekindergarten, Kindergarten, and Primer students sing and dance to some of their favorite Rotunda Rocks songs at this special monthly event with parents.
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The Hockaday School
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.