Students and their parents joined together with staff, faculty and administrators at Ashley Academy last Wednesday night to celebrate a milestone and the end of an era.
A class of seven eighth-graders participated in a modified graduation ceremony, which adhered to social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event celebrated the school’s 40th graduating class, and the final at Ashley Academy’s original location on Knob Creek Road. The school will be moving to its new, larger home on South Roan Street next school year.
“This celebration is bittersweet for us,” said Ashley Academy Headmaster Ramona Harr. “For 40 years, we have celebrated more than 300 students that successfully completed their studies here. This is the last time we will do that at this location before relocating this fall. After not being able to see our students in person this Spring semester because of the quarantine, we are glad to be able to celebrate our seven graduates one last time and to be able to honor their accomplishments.”
The small size of the class made it possible for the school to celebrate its graduating class in person. Ashley Academy had a separate table for each graduate and immediate family members, and those tables were spaced out inside the school’s gymnasium. Only one speaker was allowed at the podium, and awards and diplomas were separated out on each table prior to the start of the event. The ceremony ended with each student launching a rocket they made in science class over the past few weeks as their final act as an Ashley Academy Griffin.
“We are extremely proud of our seven graduates,” Harr said. “Six students will attend Science Hill High School and one student University School this Fall. We wish them the very best moving forward with their academics.”
Next fall, Ashlely Academy students will move into a new location with 56,000 square feet, which will provide designated space for the arts, science labs and other programs that require more room.
