Dear Friend,
Last Friday, we celebrated a milestone years in the making: the graduation of our first fourth grade class.
For our students, it was a day of joy, accomplishment, and pride. For our school community, it was the realization of a vision that began in 2017 when Father William J. Watters, S.J., opened The Loyola School (TLS) with a dream of providing a transformative, tuition-free Jesuit education for Baltimore’s children, beginning as young as two years old and guiding them through their elementary years.
That vision became reality because of people like you.
As I shared during the ceremony, we gathered not only to celebrate twelve graduates, but also the founders, donors, trustees, faculty, staff, and families who helped make this moment possible. Together, you have created opportunities that did not exist before and opened doors that will remain open for generations of students to come.
One of the most powerful messages of the day came from Trustee Cam Newsome, who challenged our graduates to confidently say, “Look at me.”
Look at me learn.
Look at me grow.
Look at me succeed.
Look at me do great things.
As I watched our graduates cross the stage, I realized that each of them has earned the right to say those words. They have worked hard, overcome challenges, grown as leaders and friends, and become role models for the students following behind them.
The Class of 2026 will always hold a special place in our hearts as our pioneers—the first students to complete their elementary school journey at The Loyola School. As they move on to middle school, they carry with them not only the lessons they have learned, but also the confidence to embrace every opportunity ahead.
As our graduates begin the next chapter of their educational journeys, please know that your support has helped shape the foundation on which they will continue to build. Thank you for being part of their story.
Below are a few photos from this historic day. We hope they bring a smile to your face as they did to ours.
With gratitude,
James D. Fiore, President
