The girls of Springside graduate under brilliant sunshine

The Springside School in Chestnut Hill picked the right day for its outdoor graduation ceremony. On Wednesday brilliant sunshine lit up the inside of a tent that was set up on the school’s campus. It was a different story on Tuesday, when rain interrupted Chestnut Hill Academy’s graduation ceremony.

Springside Head of School Priscilla Sands was thrilled by weather. “It’s a beautiful day and a beautiful ceremony and I couldn’t ask for more,” she told NewsWorks.

Springside is Philadelphia’s oldest school for girls. It was founded in 1879.

This year’s graduating class had 52 students in it. Sands, who also gave the welcome address, said being all girls’ school creates a special bond among the students. “What binds them together — and they talk about this all the time — is their sisterhood and their care for one another too,” said Sands.

Springside School plans to merge with Chestnut Hill Academy next year. Many elements of single-sex education will stay in place. Boys and girls will be taught separately in the elementary and middle schools years and then in a co-ed setting for the high school grades.