Fairhaven Class of 2009 from left: Zoë Woodbridge, David Roskind, Max Muffler, Carly Long, Robbie Kronser, David Hepner, Jessia Engel.

How do people graduate at Fairhaven?

Fairhaven School students who feel they are ready to leave the school may choose from three different options.

Candidates who want a diploma from Fairhaven must fulfill a series of requirements along a scheduled timeline during their last year at the school, including earning a majority of positive votes from a Diploma Committee.

Another option, the Certificate of Graduation, requires students to complete a graduation statement but does not involve final Committee votes. These two procedures are briefly summarized below. A complete list of the requirements may be obtained by contacting the school.

Some students decide not to seek a diploma. Alumni from Fairhaven and other Sudbury schools have gone on to lead successful lives, including attending college, without ever having earned a diploma.

Diploma

Students who have spent at least three years at Fairhaven School may earn a diploma by defending the thesis that they have prepared themselves to become effective adults in the larger community. Diploma candidates must declare their intent to graduate and answer questions at a special winter Assembly of parents, students, staff and public members. They also meet with their individual graduation committees, and defend their written theses before a Diploma Committee made up of three experienced staff members from other Sudbury schools. A majority of positive votes from the Committee is the final requirement of the diploma process.

Certificate of Graduation

A students who has attended Fairhaven School for at least three years may receive a Certificate of Graduation by writing a graduation statement describing the significance of Fairhaven School to his or her education and/or how she has prepared herself to be a responsible member of the larger community. The student may choose to make a presentation about a subject of personal importance. The Fairhaven Assembly informally discusses the presentation and the student’s decision to graduate, and the student is awarded a Certificate of Graduation during the Graduation Assembly.