Traditions
135 Years of Learning, 135 years of Tradition
Traditions are a critical piece of the BGA culture. From Opening Convocation to the end-of-year Tug and Field Day, BGA students of all ages participate in time-honored, community traditions that create lifelong bonds with their classmates and with alumni across the country.
Greers & Platos
For more than 80 years, BGA students and faculty have been assigned to the Greer or Plato literary society, creating an academic and athletic rivalry that is central to BGA's day-to-day school life beginning in fourth grade. The year-long competition between the societies culminates each year with divisional Tug of Wars.
Homecoming & Spirit Week
Each fall, students in kindergarten through 12th grade celebrate BGA Homecoming and Spirit Week with themed dress days, games and competitions, pep rallies and more as they prepare to cheer on our Wildcat football team and welcome alumni back to campus on Friday evening.
Grit Day
Each year, the week before spring break, Middle and Upper School students celebrate Grit Day. A tradition at BGA for more than 50 years, students and faculty dress up in costume and compete on creativity by grade, all for bragging rights and the opportunity to eat a spoonful of cold grits at the school assembly.
Jamboree & Field Day
The spring semester includes a number of fun traditions, including Jamboree (for Middle and Upper School students) and Field Day (Lower School). Jamboree events typically include a cookout, food trucks, performances by the Contemporary Music Ensemble, and inflatables in the Glen Echo quad. Field Day for our Lower School students includes relay races, playing, a picnic lunch, and cheering on our fourth-graders as they compete in their first Greer-Plato Tug of War on the football field.
College Decision Day
During the last full week of classes for our seniors, the College Center hosts the annual College Decision Day celebration to recognize the graduating class and their post-BGA plans. Seniors are invited to wear a college t-shirt from the college/university to which they are matriculating that fall. BGA faculty and staff are also encouraged to wear a t-shirt or polo from their college alma mater (undergraduate or graduate). Decision Day activities can include competitions, giveaways, and special on-campus dining experiences for the graduating seniors.
The Tug
Near the end of the school year, we host Tug of War competitions for each division – Greers vs. Platos. Fourth-graders compete in their first Tug during Field Day, while Middle School students tug across the creek that runs through the Glen Echo campus. Our Upper School Tug includes a trek out to the Harpeth River, where Greers and Platos face off and attempt to drag the other into the river's murky waters.
Almost Alumni Luncheon
Each spring, BGA’s Office of Alumni Relations hosts the Almost Alumni Luncheon for the graduating class. During the luncheon, students receive a gift, update their contact information to ensure they’re on our mailing list for their first semester care package, and learn more about how they can network with other alumni for internships and job opportunities.
