Top 5 Deerfield Traditions

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

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 capped off by the pep rally and bonfire, fully invigorating students with school spirit. 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 [during] 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. Unfortunately, however, the greatest team of all, Quad Squad, is unable to compete in the beloved tradition.

Semi-formal Dance

The Semi-formal Dance, colloquially known as Semi, takes place during the Turkey Term. As soon as students return from Thanksgiving break, they begin to dress up in formal attire, and in the weeks leading up, frantically search for a date, quickly scrap together a charming poster in the iLab, and hope to snag some cute pics. Another plus of the event is the free food. A major downside of the dance includes the requirement of female interaction from male students in order to find a date.

Step Up

While a bittersweet ceremony overall, students still get to enjoy the end-of-year Step Up dance, as it is a rite of passage in which every class rises to their new grade. During this ceremony, students also convene around a large bonfire, feeling both the physical and figurative warmth of their new class. The soon-to-be seniors wear white, symbolizing their transition and new role in the school. Charlotte McFadzean ‘26, a senior, reflected on the experience, saying, “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.”

School Meeting

Every Wednesday students file into the Hess Auditorium for School Meeting, which occurs each Wednesday. Students sit with their grade and shout their grade-wide cheers, before culminating in a collective singing of the Deerfield Cheering 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 experiences 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.”

Sit-Down Meals

Sit-down meals occur during lunch on every weekday except Wednesdays, and excluding the winter term, on Tuesday and Thursday dinner. As part of the school tradition, all students must serve as their tables' first or second waiter, usually once per school year for both roles. The tables are also assigned randomly, allowing for interactions between unfamiliar students and staff. and creating a unique experience. Sit-down serves an important role in fostering community: Deerfield states on their website, “At Deerfield, we believe that sit-down meals provide an important opportunity for strengthening our community.”