Main takeaways

🏫 Events like spirit weeks, pep rallies, and academic celebrations create a sense of belonging among students.

🎭 Many schools celebrate diversity with cultural events, lip sync battles, and student-led news programs, making learning more engaging.

🎓 Senior walkthroughs, teacher vs. student games, and award ceremonies mark important milestones and strengthen school spirit.

School traditions are more than just fun events or routines; they are the threads that weave a sense of belonging, pride, and community among students, teachers, and parents. From annual ceremonies to spirit weeks, these traditions shape the legacy of schools and leave lasting memories.

Have you ever wondered which traditions make schools unique? Read on to explore the fascinating traditions shared by students from across the Modak community and discover how they reflect broader American school culture.

This survey was conducted from November 29, 2024, to December 10, 2024, gathering a total of 292 responses. After review, 16 responses were approved for inclusion in our analysis.

Unique celebrations of academic achievement

At Alonso High School in Tampa, Florida, academic excellence takes center stage with two unique traditions:

"Raise the flag": Held every Friday before football games, this ceremony fosters school spirit by gathering the community to raise the school flag, whether the game is home or away, shared one student from Alonso High.
"A-team": At the end of every grading period, students who achieve honor roll distinctions are celebrated. Straight-A students receive a special Alonso T-shirt and snacks, while other honors students enjoy snacks and games in various school locations. “A-team happens in a different location around the school every quarter, like the gym, cafeteria, or auditorium.”

At Berea Community High School in Kentucky, students are encouraged to excel with a playful twist:

"Pie-a-Teacher Event": "Once a year, a large group of teachers sign a roster to get pied in the face with Cool Whip. Students can either pay to pie a teacher, or depending on the students' grades, they can pie a teacher for free," explained one Berea student.
"Prize Drawings": "Three times a year, the staff collectively buy prizes, and students can earn them based on how well you act in school, how good your grades are, or just randomly. Teachers decide this by how many times your name gets put in a drawing by all the teachers you have for the year."

Spirit weeks and pep rallies

Spirit weeks bring school communities together with themed dress-up days, games, and competitions:

At Collier High School in Georgia, "Spirit Week is a highlight of the year with themes like Pajama Day and Twin Day, leading to a Friday pep rally with cheerleader performances, a dance-off, and tug-of-war contests," said one student. "It’s a chance to show pride and bond with friends."
At Edward C. Reed High School, "Blue and Gold Day celebrates school pride with activities, pep rallies, and competitions between grades. Everyone wears blue and gold to show pride, and the whole day is full of energy." shared a student. “It’s not just about winning. It’s about bringing everyone together and celebrating the school.”

Students like Jonah McCloud emphasize how these traditions promote unity and fun: "These events are ironic spectacles to see because they usually have very funny endings and result in good reactions from the attending students."

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Cultural and creative events

Some schools take a step further by celebrating diversity and creativity:

Sunshine middle school in Miami hosts an annual Culture Day, “Each grade is assigned a different country to represent, and the school transforms into a vibrant festival with booths showcasing traditional food, music, and costumes. My favorite part is the parade—everyone dressed in cultural attire, proudly walking through the hallways while upbeat music played. It brings us closer together and makes us proud of our differences," shared one student.
Lake Taylor High School’s Lip Sync Battle is another favorite. “Every spring, students form teams and create elaborate lip sync routines to compete for the coveted Golden Microphone trophy. It’s so much fun to watch the creative costumes, hilarious choreography, and intense performances (...) It’s amazing to see everyone’s creative costumes and hilarious performances. It’s one of the best days of the year," said a student from Lake Taylor.
At Framingham High School in Massachusetts, "we have something really awesome called 'Flyer News,'" shared one student. "It’s a miniature news program we put on every morning, with different stories, segments, and fun activities. My favorite job is anchoring because it has helped me build confidence and feel like I belong. Flyer News has made me a better and more fun person in so many ways.”

Field days and outdoor fun

Outdoor activities are another staple of school traditions:

At Lake Fenton High School in Michigan, "we have an annual Field Day every May, where we enjoy a full day of outdoor activities like obstacle courses and games," shared one student. "It’s a break from routine, filled with laughter and friendly competition, fostering camaraderie and unforgettable memories.".

Bringing generations together

In the Linn-Mar School District in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, graduating seniors participate in a heartwarming tradition: "We do a walk-through of the elementary school we went to," shared one senior. "It’s so fun to see our old teachers and recognize people who graduated from the same school."

Year-end traditions

Celebrations that mark the end of the school year leave lasting impressions:

Friendly Academy’s Inauguration Ceremonies honor long-serving teachers and retiring staff, bringing the entire school community together twice a year. "It’s one of the few times our whole school gathers, and it’s always so special," shared Sophie, a Friendly Academy student.
At one school, the annual Teachers vs. Eighth Graders volleyball game is a favorite tradition. "The whole school packs into the gym to watch. Last year the teachers won, but before that, the eighth graders had a three-year streak," shared one student. "This year, my classmates and I are excited to compete. Some of us are really good at volleyball, so we think we have a great chance at winning!"

The purpose of traditions

School traditions foster community, pride, and engagement. They create unique identities for schools, build bonds among students and staff, and provide students with memorable experiences that often last a lifetime.

What is a senior high school tradition?

Senior traditions, like the Linn-Mar senior walkthrough, celebrate milestones and encourage reflection on the journey through school years. They also inspire younger students and leave a lasting legacy for graduates.

What is american school culture?

American school culture is rooted in community, diversity, and celebration. From spirit weeks to academic ceremonies, these traditions emphasize teamwork, creativity, and personal growth, reflecting the core values of education.

How Modak supports these traditions

Participating in school traditions often involves managing money for events, snacks, or even creative projects. This is where the Modak Makers app comes in. Modak helps parents and kids manage chores, allowance, and savings⁽³⁾, making financial literacy accessible and fun.

Here’s how Modak can help:

Earning MBX Points: Kids can earn points by completing challenges or walking daily (up to 70 MBX per week for walking). These points convert into real dollars, giving kids pocket money for school activities.⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾
Learning Financial Literacy: Through Modak, kids develop essential money-management skills in a gamified way.
Ease of Payments: Modak’s payment link feature makes it easy for kids to receive money⁽⁴⁾, whether it’s for a school fundraiser or a creative project.

Start your child’s journey toward financial independence with Modak today. Together, let’s make traditions more memorable and teach valuable life skills along the way.

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100 MBX = $1(as of June 2024). This is an approximation and not a guaranteed result. For more information on MBX, visit click here.‍
Walking 5,000 steps a day gives users 10MBX (as of Jan 2025). This is subject to change at Modak’s discretion
The savings goals feature is intended to assist you in planning and tracking your savings progress. It does not imply or guarantee any interest earnings.
Modak is a financial technology company and not a FDIC-insured bank. Checking account and the Modak Visa® debit card issued by Lewis & Clark Bank, Member FDIC

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Popular school traditions in the US