Senior-End-of-Year Information
This is your one-stop resource for information related to all end-of-year events for the Class of 2025. Please review all the information on this page and refer to it regularly. If things change, this page will always be updated with the most recent information regarding these events.
Any questions regarding end-of-year events, or debt, should be sent to Mrs. Jakan in the Shattuck building, jakanh@nfaschool.org or by calling 860.425.5761.
Senior Events
Senior Event Information
Tickets for ALL senior end-of-year events can be purchased by clicking on the appropriate link on the right-hand side of this page.
Senior Trip – Friday, May 23
The annual senior trip will take place at Holiday Hill in Prospect, CT. Tickets go on sale March 13 and must be purchased by May 16. By a combo ticket with the senior prom and save! Transportation is provided. Students will leave campus around 8:45 am, and return to campus around 7 pm.
*NOTE: Students will need to provide their own transportation home after they return from the event.
Senior Prom – Friday, June 6
The senior prom will be held Friday, June 6, at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum from 6 to 10 pm. Tickets go on sale March 13 and must be purchased by May 16. Buy a combo ticket with the senior trip and save!
Please be mindful of the following rules regarding prom:
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Nobody will be allowed to enter prom for the first time after 7:30 pm.
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Absolutely no bags (eg: backpacks, duffel bags, large puses) are allowed into the event. Small clutch bags/purses are permitted.
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No drinks will be allowed into the event.
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Once you arrive, you cannot leave and come back in (even if you are going to your car).
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Students who present themselves as under the influence may be subject to a breathalyzer test and/or searched with administration approval.
Senior Brunch – Tuesday, June 10
Free to graduates, this event will take place at 11 am on Tuesday, June 10, in the cafeteria. No ticket is needed, however you must indicate whether or not you plan on attending. You can do that on the ticket order page. If you ordered a yearbook, you will receive it during the brunch, too. Brunch is followed by a mandatory graduation rehearsal.
*PLEASE NOTE: Senior end-of-year event tickets can only be purchased when student debts are cleared.
Lunch Debt
For the current school year, all lunch debt over the $10 must be cleared. Log into your mySchoolBucks account to determine a balance this year. Payment may be made online or in the cafeteria.
Other Debt
This category includes lunch debt from previous years, books, uniforms, Chromebook waivers and more. There are two ways to determine how much you owe. On the PowerSchool app, an alert will be located on the top of the screen. On the PowerSchool website, click on ‘balance.’ Books can be returned to the library and uniforms can be returned to the Athletics Office in Norton. Chromebook waivers must be completed on the NFA website and all other debt must be cleared in the Finance Office, which is located on the second floor of Allis House.
Awards
Event Information
Athletic Awards – Monday, June 9
On this night, we celebrate our individual and team success in athletics. The event will be held Monday, June 9, at 6 pm in Alumni Gym. Teams and participants will be invited to the event. Also presented this night are the awards for the top two male and female athletes in the senior class.
Class Night – Tuesday, June 10
Held once again in the Great Cedar Showroom at Foxwoods Resort Casino, this event will take place Wednesday, June 10, at 6 pm. Doors will open at 5:15 pm. Seating for this event is general admission. This incredible night features scholarships, awards and prizes presented to more than 200 of our students and totalling more than $750,000. Individual honorees will be invited to this event, which will also be live streamed.
*Class Night will be available to view in the following manner:
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YouTube: youtube.com/norwichfreeacademy
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Comcast Cable (Norwich/Old Lyme): NFA-TV, Channel 12
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Frontier Communications: NFA-TV, Ch. 99 (Educational Access 1)
*Frontier Communications customers watching on cable should follow the steps below:
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Go to channel 99
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Press OK
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Scroll to Norwich
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Select Educational Access 1
Graduation
Event Information
Mandatory Rehearsal – Tuesday, June 10
A mandatory graduation rehearsal will be held Tuesday, June 10, at 1 pm, following the Senior Brunch. Students should report to their assigned classrooms in the Cranston Building after brunch. Graduates who do not attend rehearsal will not participate in the official graduation ceremony.
Graduation – Wednesday, June 11
The Graduation Exercises of the Class of 2025 will take place at 4 pm on Wednesday, June 11, on the NFA Turf Field. The rain date is Thursday, June 12. It will also be streamed live at youtube.com/norwichfreeacademy.
Each student will receive four tickets for the event that provide access to bleacher seating. Others may attend, but they will not be provided seating.
Students should to their assigned classroom in Cranston at 3 pm on the day of the ceremony. Students will be in the same room for graduation as they were for rehearsal. Students will be assigned rooms alphabetically and lined up in the same manner.
Caps and Gowns
It is mandatory to have a cap and gown to participate in graduation. Caps and gowns will be distributed to seniors at the mandatory graduation rehearsal on Tuesday, June 10.
Dress Code
Graduation is a special day, and we encourage you to dress for the event as you would for any other significant, formal occasion. We suggest dress pants, shirts, ties, dresses or skirts that are appropriate for the day.
There are a few rules regarding dress that must be followed:
- First, high heeled shoes of any kind are not allowed. Not only will they damage the turf and the track, but they can cause injury with a simple slip on the ramp or the stage. If you come with these on, you will be asked to find a replacement pair of shoes. Flats and wedges are the best choice
- The second rule is about your graduation gowns. Gowns must be zipped at all times during the ceremony – beginning from the point of lining up prior to marching on the field and continuing through the recessional after the ceremony.
- Your cap should be worn straight - not at an angle. The longest part of the cap should be at the back of your head. The front point of the cap is to be placed on your forehead, with the tassel placed on the right side of your face.
- Decorating your cap is allowed, however caps that draw unnecessary attention, or are a distraction, will not be allowed. No 3-D decorations are allowed.
- The only items that are allowed to be worn on the outside of the cap and gown are military sashes and school-issued honor cords and academic medals given to you in recognition of your achievements.
Student Recognition
At graduation, students who achieve academic distinction will be wearing honor cords and medals. Medals are worn by Summa Cum Laude students (3.666 GPA and above). Honor cords are worn by students inducted into academic honor societies: National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, National Art Honor Society and National Chinese Honor Society. Student athletes wear a cord if they meet one of the following criteria: earned four or more athletic letters, earned three letters in one year or one sport, or have been selected All-State or higher. Students who successfully complete our ConnCAP program are also provided a cord. Students who enter the military wear a sash representing their chosen branch. These are the only items that will be allowed.
Accessibility
A limited number of reserved parking spots are available for those with accessibility needs. These spots must be reserved in advance by contacting our Campus Safety Department at 860.425.5591. These spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for requesting an accessible space is Friday, June 6.
As part of their four-ticket allotment, students can replace up to two regular tickets with two accessible seating tickets. There are a limited number of these tickets available. To request these tickets, please contact Campus Safety at 860.425.5591.
Parking
Parking passes will not be distributed to the general public. On-campus parking is extremely limited. Car-pooling is encouraged. On-campus lots will officially open at 2 pm and be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
What if it rains?
The best graduation ceremony we can provide is on our Turf Field, and we have scheduled a rain date for such an occurrence. Should we be forced to change dates, a decision would be made no later than 12 pm on June 11. If that happens, graduation will then simply move forward 24 hours to Thursday, June 12. Any decision made to move to the rain date will be communicated on NFA social media and the school website. A robocall will also be made to all seniors.
*The Graduation Exercises will be available to view in the following manner:
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YouTube: youtube.com/norwichfreeacademy
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Comcast Cable (Norwich/Old Lyme): NFA-TV, Channel 12
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Frontier Communications: NFA-TV, Ch. 99 (Educational Access 1)
*Frontier Communications customers watching on cable should follow the steps below:
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Go to channel 99
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Press OK
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Scroll to Norwich
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Select Educational Access 1
Popcorn & Roses
Popcorn & Roses Order Form
Continuing an honored and special tradition, the NFA Class of 2026 will be extending a wonderful opportunity to send a special message and a small gift to a member of the Class of 2025.
Roses and kettle corn can be purchased until June 6 at midnight. Your purchase, along with your special message, will be a memorable gift during this milestone in your senior’s life. These will be distributed to students at the graduation rehearsal on June 10.
All proceeds support the Class of 2026.
* Required
Lawn Signs
Lawn Sign Order Form
To celebrate your senior, purchase a Class of 2025 lawn sign now! The deadline is Tuesday, April 8, at 3 pm. No orders will be taken after that time, and no extra signs will be available.
Each sign is double-sided and costs $25. We anticipate delivery to campus during the week of April 28. Distribution plans will be announced once the signs arrive on campus.
Proceeds support the Class of 2025 directly.
Orders for the Class of 2025 Senior Lawn Signs are closed.