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Academy Traditions
The Visitation Academy academic year is filled with many traditions, some dating back to 1846. Not only do our girls look forward to these special days, they embrace them as a rite of passage during their time at the Academy. These memorable events initiate some of our youngest students to the ways of the Academy and honor our oldest girls who will transition to the next phase of their education. Our girls know that when they graduate from the Visitation Academy they leave behind the “sisters” they made as friends, and those friendships will endure. In the words of St. Francis de Sales, “Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off.”
Our Traditions
- Apple Dumpling Day – (Fall) started in 1846 by the Georgetown Visitation Sisters who came to relieve the Sisters of Charity who moved to Emmitsburg; used to win over the hearts of the girls and sweeten their disposition. 400 apple dumplings baked by the girls and served to the Visitation Community, local officials, religious and lay friends of the Academy. Tradition reinstated by the girls after the Visitation Sisters departure in 2005.
- Service of Lights – (December) religious musical ceremony for 4th through 8th grade girls celebrating the birth of Jesus through scripture readings and song held at the Visitation Academy Chapel; began in the 1950s.
- Father Daughter Dance – (February) started after the departure of the Visitation Academy Sisters to reinforce the important family ties between fathers and daughters.
- 8th Grade Visitation Academy School Ring Blessing – (February) ceremony to bless the graduating 8th grade class Visitation Academy rings.
- Bell and History Days – (April) started in 1968 to raise money to repair the Visitation Academy bell and cupola housing, educational event with tours and children’s hands-on activities at the Visitation Academy – part of a Frederick County program to ring in the new museum season; organized in conjunction with the Frederick Historic Sites Consortium.
- May Procession – (May) celebration of the Crowning of Mary in the Academy Courtyard with all girls participating in white dresses and an hour of singing and prayer; 8th grade students encircle statue of the Blessed Mother and the girl who has the longest attendance at the Academy crowns the statue with a halo of flowers (tradition believed to have started in 1920s).
- Mother Daughter Tea – (May) started after the departure of the Visitation Academy Sisters to celebrate the relationship between mothers/grandmothers and the Visitation girls; occurs in the month of May (the month of Mary).
- 8th Grade Graduation Mass and Luncheon – (May) mass, awards presentations and diplomas; students gather for final luncheon with parents and school faculty.
Visitation Academy - Frederick, Maryland - Founded 1846 Honoring our past, preparing for their future
