Volume: VIII Issue: 4, June 2026 . SHS Home . Alumni Page . Online Giving.

A Place to Belong is brought to you by Shady Hill’s Advancement Office, Marketing and Communications Office, and the Alumni Board. We share vibrant and innovative Shady Hill news that embraces the mission and values we all hold so dear.

Lower School Closing Day

Students sang beautifully, celebrating a year of learning, community, and friendship. Congratulations, Lower School! We also said a heartfelt goodbye to Laura Ryan, who is retiring after 35 years of masterful teaching at Shady Hill.

Presenting the Class of 2026

For Middle School Closing and Grade VIII graduation, Shady Hill welcomed back Hazel Flaherty '16 as speaker. Having cultivated a lifetime love of learning, she reflected on her experience in architecture and shared wisdom with the graduating class.

In September, 2026 graduates will attend the following schools:

• BB&N
• Beaver Country Day School
• Belmont High School
• Boston University Academy
• Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
• Cambridge School of Weston
• Catholic Memorial
• Choate Rosemary Hall
• Commonwealth School

• Concord Academy
• Deerfield Academy
• Friends Seminary (NYC)
• Middlesex School
• Milton Academy
• Phillips Academy Andover
• Tabor Academy
• Watertown High School
• The Winsor School

Summer Reading

The library is a magical place on Shady Hill's campus and is a place where the lifelong love of reading begins for many Shady Hill students. Back in February, the librarians, Susanna Paterson and Marta Rivas TTC '99 transformed the space for the second annual "Light Up the Library" week where the space was filled with dim overhead lighting with cozy twinkly lights and flickering (LED) candles, and embraced both the light and the darkness that come during this transitional season.

For the summer season, we encourage you to take a look at the Shady Hill reading lists. The All-Middle-School summer read this year is Whale Eyes by James Robinson with illustrations by Brian Rea. The book is inspired by the viral, Emmy-nominated short film for The New York Times, and has won several awards. You can learn about the book here. If you scroll to the bottom of the webpage, there's a link to the the award-winning video.

Peek into Classrooms: Grade IV

As a culminating end to their year studying Ancient Greece, Grade IV participated in the Greek Olympics. From long jump to javelin, each athlete gave their best. Additionally, the Flores classroom replicated Greek Amphora vases during April Flex Week!

Reunion

On June 5 we had the pleasure of welcoming almost 100 alums back on campus to celebrate reunion! The evening included a campus tour, art classes, a singalong, and new memories made on the Green. See some photos below of classes celebrating coming together, including the class of 1951 who gathered on Zoom to celebrate their 75th reunion! 

Click here to view more photos from Reunion. If you have photos that aren't included in the folder, please email the Alumni Office. We would love to see them!

Alums Gather this Spring

Enjoying the spring weather in a neighborhood garden, three current Alumni Board members Pratt Wiley '91, Charlie Wyzanski '59, and Kat Taketomo '05, TTC '14, joined fomer Alumni Board members Jeita Deng '94 and Hans-Peter Biemann '75 at the Evening of Appreciation.

Career Day

Earlier this month, 13 alums gathered via Zoom or came to campus to support our second annual Alumni Career Day in partnership with Middle School Counselor Brooke Menard. They spoke to eager 7th graders about what life after was like after Shady Hill and how it led to their current careers. We are grateful to have so many alums supporting and encouraging the next generation of students! If you would like to get involved for other alumni engagement events, email Christina Junga.

Several alums competed in Ultimate Frisbee Nationals

The game of ultimate frisbee has become a beloved sport by the students at Shady Hill.

Ross FitzGerald hosts an Ultimate game for alums every year. Shady Hill alums eagerly return for the game and have continued pursuing their love for the sport in college.

This past season, Dash Brenner '20 went to Div. III Nationals with Carleton College. Ollie Wicks '21 is playing for Brown University's Div. I team and also went to Nationals. Rebecca FitzGerald '20 and her University of Vermont B team had their first appearance at College Championships and won the 2026 Team Spirt Award. They are the only B-team to ever make College Championships!

August 8, 2026

Black Alums and Families

Shady Hill will host our 5th annual Black Alums Reunion at Inkwell Beach on Oak Bluffs! The beach day includes delicious food by a Black owned business.

November 24, 2026

Young Alums Reunion

October 24, 2026

Shady Hill Fair

Week of April 5, 2027

Alumni Art Show

Questions? Email the Alumni Office.

We are excited to share the 2026 Shady Hill magazine. Read the online issue here to engage with campus activity, class notes, alum spotlights, and more.

The Shady Hill Fund

On June 30, we closed the fiscal year and raised more than $2.1 million for the School as part of the annual fund effort! We are thankful to the generosity of so many who prioritize the school.

In meeting this crucial financial target, Shady Hill is able to sustain the programs and people that make Shady Hill a joyful place to be a child.

If you'd like to give to the 2026-2027 Fund, you can give online here.

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