Top 5 Deerfield Traditions

Deerfield has a long history, stretching all the way back to the school’s founding in 1797. With such a lengthy history comes many beloved traditions that are cherished by the students and staff alike. Here are a list of 5 favorites amongst students: 

1. Choate Week

Students love Choate Week because of the tradition’s rich competitiveness and embodiment of school pride. During Choate week, students and faculty bleed green more than ever. Students bombard each other with battle cries and enjoy bacon cookouts as the anticipation for the fateful day continues to grow. The week leading up to Choate day is full of fun spirit days, such as rhyme without reason and dress like your co-curricular day. The week is capped off by the pep rally and bonfire, fully invigorating students with school spirit. Hearing electric speeches from the cheerleaders or perhaps a faculty member, along with the return of alumni to campus, really increases morale on campus. Students welcome Choate Week as a much needed change of pace. Ted Freedman ’27 said, “[Choate Week] reinforces school spirit and togetherness that can dry up this time of year when we’re settled into school routines and the weather is getting harsher.” Choate day provides an opportunity for students from both schools to connect and compete. Among the sports teams squaring off, the long awaited Football game between the rival schools is a classic. However, Deerfield seems to be losing the big game, by quite a big margin, in recent years, causing students to be more excited about the glorious Volleyball team. The small gym and loud shouts allow for great fun. Although, unfortunately, Quad Squad and some other sports are unable to compete in the beloved tradition of playing on Choate Day.

2. Semiformal Dance

The Semiformal Dance, colloquially known as Semi, takes place during Turkey Term. As soon as students return from Thanksgiving break, they begin frantically searching for a date, quickly scraping together a charming poster in the iLab, and hoping to snag some Instagram worthy pictures. In fact, most students enjoy taking the pictures more than they enjoy dancing. Another plus of the event is the free food and watching students who don’t know how to swing dance stumble around the dance floor trying not to embarrass themselves with their dates. A major down side of the dance includes the requirement of female interaction from male students in order to find a date. 

3. Step Up

During a bittersweet ceremony, students enjoy the end of year Step Up dance, a rite of passage in which every class rises to their new grade. Everyone convenes around a large bonfire, celebrating their new grade. Absent from the festivities are the new graduates, as the soon to be seniors wear their new white senior shirts and throw green powder on all of the underclassmen, symbolizing their transition. Juniors deeply appreciate the celebration. Charlotte McFadzean ‘26 reflected on the experience last year, stating, “It's the last day of the school year. You get to be with your class as you become the new senior of the school. It’s an important event to become a leader.”

4.   School Meeting

Every Wednesday students file into the Hess auditorium for School Meeting. Students sit with their grade and shout their grade wide cheers, culminating with all grades chanting the school song. There are presentations from different departments in the school, mindful moments, and game show style activities. Students also get the opportunity to share their experience through programs such as the Deerfield Story. Senior Bryan Gianvecchio ’26 elaborated, saying, “I like that there's a good variety of things. Some academic stuff, performing arts, and the occasional motivational speaker.” He added, “Yeah, it’s a good time. You get to be with your friends and experience cool music.” 

5. Sit-Down Meals 

Sitdown lunch occurs every weekday except Wednesdays and sitdown dinner happens every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the fall and winter. Also, Sunday sitdown dinner occurs all three terms. Students at some point must serve as their table’s first or second waiter. The tables are assigned randomly, allowing for interactions between unfamiliar students and staff. Sit-Down serves an important role in community building. Deerfield states on their website, “At Deerfield we believe that sit-down meals provide an important opportunity for strengthening our community.” In this regard, at the conclusion of Sunday sitdown, all students lock arms in the dining hall and sing the famous Deerfield Even-Song, uniting everyone together before the next week starts.