BART Traditions

Traditions

Community & Culture

We believe in the power of shared experiences and purposeful rituals to build a strong school identity and lasting connections. Our traditions celebrate student achievement, strengthen our community, and prepare students for life after BART.

Foundational Programs and Growth Milestones

These traditions and programs are core to the BART experience, focusing on student ownership, personal growth, and strong relationships.

Student-Led Conferences & Gateway Portfolios: Instead of traditional parent-teacher meetings, our students take ownership of their education. They lead twice-annual conferences to share their work, reflect on challenges, and articulate key learning takeaways. This practice culminates in the much bigger, more formal Gateway Portfolio for 8th, 11th, and 12th graders, a powerful demonstration of their growth.
Crew (High School Grades 9–12): Crew is a cornerstone of BART’s relationship-building and high school community structure. This daily, 27-minute small-group meeting is led by a staff member who stays with the same group of students for multiple years. This primary person model ensures every high school student has at least one adult in the school with whom they share a strong, consistent connection, increasing closeness and support throughout their college prep journey.
Waving Away Buses: On the very last day of school each year, all faculty and staff gather around the bus loop exit. We cheer, wave, and offer a collective send-off to our students as they head off into their summers—a final burst of community spirit.

Celebration & Spirit (Whole School)

We regularly celebrate our talents, creativity, and the joy of being a community through a variety of fun, engaging events throughout the school year.

Arts & Tech Showcase: Twice each year, students display their best work from electives and creative studios for the full community to see. Teachers identify and award ribbons for the most outstanding pieces—celebrating creativity and technical skill.
Talent Shows: Twice a year, students and teachers work together to host a school-wide talent show. The enthusiastically received performances range from rock bands and solo vocals to stand-up comedy and dance.
Spirit Week: Organized by our Student Councils twice a year, everyone is invited to participate in themed dress-up days like “Twin Day,” “Superhero Day,” and “Red Carpet Day.” It’s a week for fun, creativity, and school pride!
Field Day: In the last week of school, the whole school spends the day off-site at a local recreation area for a day of fun, featuring activities like canoeing, swimming, hiking, and the legendary school-wide volleyball tournament.

Grade-Level Milestones

These special events are designed specifically for students transitioning through key stages of middle and high school, creating deep and lasting memories.

College Exploration Trips (10th & 11th Grade): These overnight trips are a student favorite, designed to expand their horizons. Our 10th graders travel to New York City for three days to visit multiple colleges, practice new travel skills, see sights like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and bond deeply. (This is a new trip launching this year!). Our 11th graders travel to Boston for two days to visit campuses, tour the State House, and explore local landmarks.
Senior Lock-In: A few days before graduation, the entire senior class holds a supervised sleepover in the school as part of Senior Week. This fun and nostalgic night features a movie marathon, games (including a Nerf gun battle with teachers!), and s'mores.
8th-Grade "Move Up" Activities: We celebrate the transition from middle to high school with special rites of passage, including an 8th-Grade Banquet, a semi-formal dance, and the formal Move-Up Ceremony on the last day of school.