Each gathering reflects our commitment to building a community of belonging and creating meaningful experiences for students, families, faculty, and staff. From community-wide celebrations to gatherings for parents, guardians, faculty, and staff, each event celebrates our values and community at the heart of Town.
The events below are a partial list of the many event opportunities for our Town families. Additional events and traditions during the school day include Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Winter Concert, an annual K-2 Halloween Parade, and more.
Family Fun Picnic
The Family Fun Picnic is Town’s annual all-school gathering, held in the Presidio each fall to welcome our families back to a new school year with an evening of food trucks, lawn games, and community.
Fall Bash
Town’s Fall Bash is our annual party for parents, guardians, and employees to celebrate our community with music, entertainment, themed activities, and more. Each year’s event is chaired by parents/guardians, who help select the theme, venue, and entertainment, bringing everyone together for a fun-filled evening. Recent themes have included Star Town, Town & Country, Paint the Town, and Funky Town.
Festival of the Arts
Each May, Town’s art program culminates in the Festival of the Arts, a dynamic celebration of student creativity from kindergarten through eighth grade. Led by Town’s Art Department and our Parents’ Associations Fine Arts Liaisons, the campus is transformed into a vibrant gallery featuring student artwork, music, and faculty exhibits. With support from a team of parent/guardian volunteers, this annual event highlights the talent and creativity of our robust art program.
Track Meet
Town’s annual Track Meet is organized by our Athletic department and the Track Meet Committee of our Parents’ Association. The day starts with a Fun Run, where our entire community enjoys a joyful jog around the track. Students then have the opportunity to compete in a series of activities including both traditional track and field events and less traditional sack races and throwing, dancing, and balancing activities.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Each spring, we welcome over 400 guests to campus for Grandparents and Special Friends Day. Students are encouraged to invite up to two adult guests for a morning of performances and classroom visits.
Parents’ Association and Community Engagement/Events
Our Parents’ Association (PA) is organized into a variety of committees that support school life and enrich our community. PA committees help support a broad range of programs and events, including class-level social activities, Community Impact Committee packing events and food drives, beach clean-ups, and admissions events. Through their volunteer efforts, these committees foster community and engagement both within Town and across the broader San Francisco area.
Town Parent Education Speaker Series
Each year, Town hosts a series of educational speakers in our Dolby Family Center for the Performing Arts, offering meaningful opportunities for parents and guardians to engage in conversations about parenting and child development. Each event explores timely and relevant themes, featuring experts who share research, strategies, and perspectives on raising boys in today’s complex world.
- The Julie Ashley Speaker Series, established in 2019 to honor former parent and Trustee Julie Ashley, brings experts to our campus to engage parents on speakers focused on character and leadership for good.
- The Ross Gordon Memorial Speaker Series honors the legacy of Ross Gordon, Class of 2009, by presenting speakers who engage Upper School students, broaden their perspectives, and inspire curiosity, empathy, and thoughtful leadership.
Over the past few years, Town has been fortunate to welcome distinguished speakers including Dr. David Yeager, Eric Hudson, Dr. Joshua Miele, and Katie Koestner.
Events Open to Our Broader Community
Boarding School Fair
Town’s annual Boarding School Fair is one of the largest in the country, welcoming schools from across the U.S., Canada, Hawaii, and Europe. Free and open to all Bay Area families, the event helps students explore boarding school and summer program opportunities. Learn more about the Boarding School Fair and the experience it offers here.
SPEAK Partnership
Town is proud to be a member of SPEAK SF, a coalition of 18 K-8 independent schools in San Francisco dedicated to enhancing parent and guardian education. Parent liaisons share SPEAK SF’s expert-led events on parenting, diversity, children’s mental health, and digital citizenship with our community.