Friends Academy Graduates 21 in Class of 2026

Friends Academy celebrated the graduation of 21 eighth grade students under sunny skies on the morning of Wednesday, June 10, at its Class Day ceremony.

In his remarks, Head of School Benjamin Kennedy commended students in the Class of 2026 for their thoughtfulness and joyful spirit as the student leaders of the North Dartmouth independent school, which welcomes students from age 3 to grade 8. 

“While growing up comes for all of us, there are certain pieces of our childhood that serve as magical anchors,” he said in his ceremony remarks. “You may be leaving FA, but you will carry this place with you wherever you go.”

At the start of the ceremony, each member of the Class of 2026 took a turn ringing the Morgan Street Bell, the historic school bell from Friends Academy’s former campus in downtown New Bedford. Over 150 years ago, the ring of the bell called students to school each morning; today, it opens and closes each school year, marking graduates' transition from students to alumni.

The graduates of Friends Academy’s Class of 2026 are:

• Lilianna Aguiar of North Attleboro

• Hannah Beauregard of Fall River

• Astra Bernardo of New Bedford

• Evann Bienz of Marion

• Rosie Bond of Dartmouth

• Nolan Booth of New Bedford

• Benjamin Caouette of Fall River

• Henry Cronin of Portsmouth, R.I.

• Henrik Davison of Marion

• Eli Kaplan of Fairhaven

• Ryan Kelly of Dartmouth

• Emma Kennedy of Southborough

• Charles Long of Westport

• Arthur Milligan of South Dartmouth

• Lily Nylin of Dartmouth

• Eric Paul Pelletier of Westport

• Landon Pereira of East Freetown

• John Perry of Rehoboth

• Owen Pickering of Westport

• Princeton Roberts of Randolph

• Addison Swallow of Fairhaven

Graduates will matriculate to nearly a dozen independent, parochial, public, and vocational secondary schools across four states this fall, including: Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Va.; Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth; Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School in New Bedford; Green Mountain Valley School in Waitsfield, Vt.; Landmark School in Beverly; Learning Prep School in West Newton; Moses Brown School in Providence, R.I.; Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, R.I.; Providence Country Day School in East Providence, R.I.; and Tabor Academy in Marion.

Founded in 1810, Friends Academy is a co-educational independent day school in North Dartmouth, Mass. serving students in Early Childhood through Grade 8. Friends provides each student with a foundation built upon academics, community, respect, responsible citizenship, and a sense of well-being for a lifetime of learning and personal growth. In addition to its traditional academic program, Friends Academy is home to the integrated Sally Borden Program for students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences. Learn more at friendsacademy1810.org.