Far Hills Country Day School
A co-educational Preschool–Grade 8 independent school
Opening the 2026–27 School Year with Tradition and Community
Opening the 2026–27 School Year with Tradition and Community
The start of a new school year at Far Hills Country Day School is marked by more than the return to classrooms. It is a chance to reconnect, welcome new faces, and celebrate the traditions that bring generations of Falcons together. From Preview Day to the first ring of the school bell, the opening of the 2026–27 school year filled the campus with excitement and set the stage for the year ahead.
Back on Campus
The excitement began before the first official day of classes with All-School Preview Day. Students and families returned to campus to meet teachers, reconnect with classmates, visit classrooms, and get comfortable with new routines before the year officially began.
Lower School families spent the morning exploring classrooms and connecting with teachers, while Upper School students settled into their spaces, organized lockers, and prepared for the year ahead. Some of our youngest Falcons also experienced a favorite Far Hills tradition as they discovered whether they would be joining Team Green or Team White—the start of years of friendly competition and school spirit.
Starting the Day Together
On the first morning of school, students weren't the only ones reconnecting. After drop-off, new and returning families gathered for the annual First Day Parent Coffee, enjoying time together as students headed off to their classrooms. The gathering offered families a relaxed way to begin the year, catch up after the summer, meet other community members, and share in the excitement of the first day.
Traditions That Mark a New Beginning
The day continued with two traditions that celebrate both new beginnings and the journey students take at Far Hills: the Bell Ringing Ceremony and the Kindergarten and Grade 8 Tote Bag Ceremony.
Students and faculty gathered as the school bell rang across campus, officially opening the 2026–27 school year. Whether experiencing the tradition for the first time or beginning a final year at Far Hills, students came together for a shared moment that signaled a fresh start and all that lies ahead.
The celebration continued as Grade 8 students welcomed Kindergarteners by presenting them with their very own Far Hills tote bags. Bringing together students at two distinct points in their Far Hills experience, the tradition highlights the sense of connection that extends across grade levels. For Kindergarteners, it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. For Grade 8 students, it represents their role as the school's oldest students and the leadership, mentorship, and responsibility that come with it.
Together, these traditions capture the full-circle nature of the Far Hills experience: students who are welcomed and supported when they are young grow into the leaders who extend that same welcome to the next generation of Falcons.
Ready for What's Ahead
Within just two days, the campus transformed from the quiet of summer to the familiar energy of a new school year. Classrooms filled, friendships resumed, new connections formed, and traditions both old and new brought the community together once again. Preview Day and the first day of school may mark only the beginning, but they capture so much of what makes Far Hills special—a strong sense of community, opportunities for students to lead and grow, and traditions that connect one school year to the next. With the bell rung and the hallways full once again, the 2026–27 school year is officially underway.
