Senior traditions are more than just annual events at Preston Hollow’s independent high schools — they are meaningful milestones that foster connection, pride, and lasting memories.
These cherished rituals mark the transition from student to graduate, strengthening the bonds between seniors, faculty, and the broader community.
Whether it’s the symbolic passing of a light or the joyful decorations in a senior study room or on students’ cars, each tradition reinforces a sense of belonging and continuity, leaving a lasting impact — and providing some fun — for everyone involved.
Episcopal School of Dallas
At ESD, tradition runs deep — none more so than the Pass It On Ceremony, the school’s oldest ritual dating back to 1974. In a moment of reflection and hope, seniors symbolically pass the “Light of ESD” to the incoming freshman class, marking a legacy of leadership and unity.
Neighborhood Spotlight
Preston Hollow
As spring approaches, seniors proudly don their future with the Skirts and Shirts tradition, decorating their uniforms to represent the colleges they’ll attend.
The year also includes lighter-hearted moments such as the beloved Senior Dog Day, where students bring their pups to campus, delighting the entire community.
Each quarter, senior birthdays are celebrated with a spirited Rally Day — a themed celebration that has included favorites like Texas Fair Day and a luau.
The Hockaday School
Seniors at The Hockaday School wear their senior shirts while enjoying a special sunrise breakfast on the first day of school.
Greenhill School
What began as a lighthearted senior prank in the 1960s has become one of Greenhill’s most cherished senior traditions.
Each year, the rising senior class paints the water tower, signaling the start of their final year and leaving a visible symbol of their class spirit.
Trinity Christian Academy
TCA seniors decorate their cars for the first day of school, reflecting everything from the students’ interests to their sports and extracurricular activities, then display their cars as they arrive at school in parade-like fashion.
Ursuline Academy of Dallas
The Ursuline Senior Closet is a spot where seniors can study, lounge, and relax in a space all their own. Students vote on a theme for the Senior Closet based on peer recommendations, and it is then transformed. The room is painted to match the theme, with new furnishings, accents, and décor added to create a fresh, welcoming atmosphere.
The chosen theme expands beyond the space, and is woven into a senior polo, a special shirt that seniors can wear on Fridays. The front of the polo features a nod to the theme, while the back showcases a nickname chosen by each senior, making it both a unifying tradition and a personal keepsake of their final year at Ursuline.
Senior Latte Day is a tradition started by the Ursuline Mothers Club to celebrate seniors as they begin their final year at Ursuline. On a special day in September or October, the Mothers Club sets up a latte bar for seniors to enjoy along with sweet treats and a custom mug for each class.
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