Q. When is Commencement 2025?
The Commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 9 a.m. Eastern time, rain or shine.
Q. Is there a plan for foul weather?
The ceremony will be on Brown Field rain or shine. There will be no rain location, nor a rain date. So watch the weather reports and dress accordingly. In the case of severe weather, it is possible that the ceremony could be postponed for several hours. Please make travel plans with this possibility in mind.
Q. Will the Commencement 2025 ceremony be livestreamed?
This year’s Commencement will be live and in person, with a livestream video option for those who cannot attend. The ceremony will also be recorded and posted here online once we receive the footage.
Q. Is there a limit on the number of guests each graduate can invite?
No, there is no guest limit.
Q. Are tickets required to attend Commencement?
No.
Q. Where do I find the link to the livestream?
It will be posted and shared here closer to Commencement Day.
Q. Will the Class of 2025 be wearing caps and gowns?
Yes, caps and gowns will be distributed to graduates.
Q. When will students receive their diplomas?
Graduates will receive their diplomas at the Commencement ceremony. If a student is unable to attend the ceremony, they will receive their diplomas by mail.
Q. What are the accommodations being made for guests with accessibility needs?
A golf cart and special seating areas with parking and restroom access will be available. Guests with accessibility needs or concerns should contact Caitlin Ward, Special Events & Program Manager, at 603-569-7191 or cward@brewsteracademy.org at least two weeks prior to the event.
Q. Are family pets allowed at Commencement?
No. Absolutely no pets are allowed on campus during the Commencement ceremony.
Q. What about hotels?
Commencement is on Memorial Day weekend, so we strongly encourage all families to make reservations at local hotels and inns as soon as possible. Please remember that in addition to Wolfeboro’s many hotels and inns, there are very nice places to stay in towns all around the lake, including Gilford, Laconia, Lakeport, Meredith, Moultonborough, and Center Harbor. These towns are all within a 45-minute drive of Brewster, and the ride around the lake in the spring is beautiful! There are also chain hotel options in Rochester, N.H., which is closer to the Seacoast, and Concord, which is about an hour’s drive.
Q. Will there be items for families to celebrate at home like last year?
Yes, this Commencement/End-of-Year webpage on the Brewster website has celebratory items like downloadable graphics you can use on social media and a lawn sign you can order.
Q. Will I be able to order a yard sign to celebrate my child’s graduation?
Yes! Yard signs are a great way to celebrate your grad! We will be posting the link to order soon.
Q. Will underclass students attend the ceremony?
This year, Juniors are invited and encouraged to stay for the Commencement ceremony (see next question), but freshman and sophomores should plan to leave campus after their last commitment on Wednesday, May 21. The exception, of course, is a freshman or sophomore who is a family member of a graduate and is attending the Commencement ceremony. However, the underclass student will not be allowed to stay on campus in the dorms.
Q. What is the plan for juniors to stay for Commencement this year?
This year, Brewster is inviting all juniors to remain on campus to experience the time-honored traditions of a Brewster graduation as they look ahead to their own celebrations in 2026. Juniors will be allowed to stay in their current dorm rooms, and enjoy the variety of activities designed just for members of the Class of 2026 around Commencement Day to maximize this extra time together.
Following the Commencement ceremony, juniors and their families are welcome to attend the lunch reception at the Grayson Student Center with graduates and their families. All students should plan to move off campus no later than 5 p.m. that day.
Q. Is campus open to the public, including alumni who would like to visit as the weather warms up?
Brewster’s campus is open to visitors, we just ask that folks give us a heads up if they are planning a visit. (Alumni can contact Danielle Krause at dkrause@brewsteracademy.org, all other visitors can contact Caroline Chartier at cchartier@brewsteracademy.org.)
Q. What’s new in Wolfeboro to enjoy if we’d like to extend our visit?
Many of your favorite Wolfeboro cafes and restaurants have updated their menus this spring. And most shops begin their extended summer hours on Commencement Weekend! The extensive renovation of the Downtown Grill just across from the post office on South Main Street in Wolfeboro is complete—there’s great outdoor seating there too! Pub 23 is a new eatery at the tip of nearby Alton Bay. If you’re planning a little post-Commencement vaca, pamper yourself at Bellezza Moderna Aesthetics or plan some time out on the lake with Guiding Light Fishing Charters, both new businesses in our quaint hometown! And of course, Wolfeboro’s Wright Museum of WWII (open daily) is a local gem with new exhibitions throughout the season.
Q: Is the Campus Store open during Commencement?
Yes! The Campus Store will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 24.