The Bush School

The Bush School is closed on Friday, June 19, in recognition of Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates the day news reached enslaved people in Texas that the institutional practice of slavery in the United States had ended. The holiday recognizes that ninety years after our nation celebrated independence from British rule (July 4, 1776), enslaved Americans remained in bo***ge. Juneteenth has been celebrated for over 100 years as a way to honor the strength, sacrifice, and resilience of the Black community with a day of rest and reflection.

The Bush Class of 2026 started their graduation celebration in style at Baccalaureate as they took to the stage for performances full of incredible instrumentals, choreography, and more. Students who participated in a capstone Senior Project welcomed faculty, staff, and families to learn more about each project at tables set up with information on their two-week journey, dedicating their time to making a difference in their communities. Way to go, Blazers!

Congratulations to the Bush Eighth Grade class on their Moving Up, which was celebrated last Wednesday, June 10. Members of the Class of 2030 were honored during the Moving Up Ceremony, which featured student speeches and performances in addition to remarks from Head of School Sarah Smith and Middle School Director Rob Blackwell. The heartfelt speeches, performances, and enthusiastic audience ensured that the night was full of pride, joy, courage, and a readiness for the next steps in each Blazer's journey.

Nearly one week ago, Bush Class of 2033 students, families, friends, faculty, and staff gathered for the Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony on Tuesday, June 9. Head of School Sarah Smith, Fifth Grade Faculty Randi Gordner and Neil Davis, and Lower School Director Aliya Virani shared words of encouragement, celebration, and pride for the students who will soon transition to Middle School. The ceremony featured student poems and a performance accompanied by Lower School Music Faculty Juliana Cantarelli Vita. Congratulations, Blazers!

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"Just as there has never been one way to be or to thrive as a Bush student, so too is there no one way to make your impact, your mark, your contribution to the world. More than ever, your community and your world need your talents, your gifts, and the skills you have developed at Bush, but more than anything, the world needs your passionate commitment and care for contributing to the communities of which you are a part." - Head of School Sarah Smith

It is hard to believe it has already been nearly one week since Commencement 2026. On Sunday, June 7, the Bush Class of 2026 graduated seventy-two students in front of an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends, faculty, staff, and peers at the Seattle Convention Center | Summit. Photos from end-of-year events will be sent to Class of 2026 families later this month, so be sure to keep an eye out!

To view the full recording of Commencement, click https://vimeo.com/1184922428/73abedbdff?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci.
📸 Grey Sky Productions

After traveling and learning near and far, the entire Middle School community gathered together for one final time before summer for E-week Expo. Students completed E-week bingo cards featuring fun facts from each program. Students shared stories, reflected on what they learned, and prepared presentations.

Lower School Blazers wouldn't let a few sprinkles rain on their Field Day parade! On the final full day of the Lower School 2025-2026 academic year, students, faculty, staff, and family volunteers enjoyed a morning full of games, friendly competition, chalk drawing, and delicious snacks. Field Day provides an unforgettable ending to an outstanding school year and gives the Lower School community a final chance to come together before the summer.

“Again and again, I was struck by your wisdom, thoughtfulness, humor, and willingness to engage deeply with the world around you and speak up for the issues and causes you care about … which I hope you will carry with you forever, for as writer and civil rights activist Audre Lorde reminded us: ‘there is only one thing more frightening than speaking your truth– and that is not speaking.'”- Head of School Sarah Smith

On Sunday, June 7, The Bush School Class of 2026 celebrated the most important milestone of a young student’s journey—graduation. Proud family, friends, and faculty gathered at the Seattle Convention Center | Summit to witness seventy-two courageous seniors receive their hard-earned diplomas from Head of School Sarah Smith and Board President Karim Lessard ’89.

Congratulations to the Bush Class of 2026. We are so excited to see the trails you will blaze. Click
https://www.bush.edu/page/news-detail?pk=1681123 to read more about Commencement 2026.

Middle School students are wrapping up E-week courses as they return to campus from near and far. Students have soared to new heights in the Cirque Du Bush: Circus Arts course, learned new skills including sewing, suturing, and beekeeping, bonded with peers during music jams, immersed themselves in new cultures, and so much more. Middle School Blazers have spent the last-two weeks learning, growing, and inviting new perspectives and are excited to share stories about their unforgettable experiences with their classmates, families, and friends.