Admitted Students and Families Welcomed

St. Sebastian's held its annual reception for admitted students and their families on Thursday, April 3. The night started in Ward Hall for a speaking program. Assistant Head of School Michael Nerbonne welcomed the newly admitted students and their families and Fr. John Arens provided an opening prayer.

Student speaker Alex Perkin '25 reflected on his journey at St. Sebastian's, from arriving as a freshman to now entering his final two months as a senior. He shared how quickly he felt at home and spoke about the lasting impact of the teacher-coach model on his experience.

Marie Carroll P'25,'28,'30 followed Alex, offering a current parent’s perspective on St. Sebastian’s. She spoke about how the love and devotion the faculty give to the students is unmatched, and how the small class sizes ensure each student receives the support they need. Marie also highlighted the incredible sense of community among the boys and emphasized that parents, too, can find their place at the School through the many opportunities for involvement.

After closing remarks from Head of School Brendan Sullivan and Dean of Enrollment Greg Wishart, families enjoyed refreshments and conversation with current students and faculty.

In addition to the reception in Ward Hall, students and their parents explored three Academic Showcases highlighting key parts of St. Sebastian’s academic program. The Writing & Speaking Panel began with a keynote address by Jonathan Demosthene ’24, Harvard College ’28, offering valuable insight into how middle school students are thoughtfully prepared for the foundational Freshman Writing course—setting the stage for long-term academic success. Families also enjoyed a sampling of Chapel Speeches, a signature part of the student journey at St. Sebastian’s.

In the Science Showcase, families took part in hands-on lab experiments and gained insight into how the School’s curriculum fosters a collaborative, rigorous, and rewarding learning environment. Students shared highlights from their time in the Innovation Lab and on the Robotics Team, as well as some of their favorite lab experiences.

The Math Showcase invited families to connect with students and faculty through engaging puzzles and games, demonstrating how the department makes learning both interactive and enjoyable. Visitors also learned how each student is thoughtfully placed in the math class best suited to his individual level, regardless of grade.

Special thanks to the many speakers, students, faculty, and staff who helped make the night a success.