Bryn Mawr Online School (BMOS) made history on Sunday, June 7, 2026, celebrating the inaugural graduation ceremony for the school’s very first graduating cohort of seven students.
Founded in 2022, BMOS operates as a “fifth” division of The Bryn Mawr School, extending the institution’s 141-year-old mission to girls across the United States and around the globe. By blending the flexibility of remote learning with live, synchronous instruction from Bryn Mawr’s exceptional faculty, BMOS delivers the same challenging curriculum, individualized attention, and supportive community that have defined the on-campus experience for over a century.
The seven pioneering members of the BMOS inaugural graduating class come from across the country and around the world:
Sofia Afable, Emily Finnigan, Olivia Johnson, Taylor McElhaney, Indigo Powell, Claire Rhodes, and Ava Stanley
Demonstrating the global reach and academic strength of the program, the graduates are set to attend top-tier institutions worldwide this fall, including: Fairfield University, Jacksonville State University, Loyola University Chicago, University of Roehampton (UK), University of Virginia, University of Waterloo (Canada), and Vassar College.
“The graduation of the Class of 2026 is a historic milestone for Bryn Mawr Online School,” said Justin Curtis, Head of BMOS. “These seven students didn’t just attend a school; they helped build our community by actively shaping traditions, championing our values, and setting a standard of excellence. They have paved a bright path for every BMOS student who will follow in their footsteps.”
The commencement exercises featured powerful keynote remarks from Head of BMOS Justin Curtis and an inspiring address from Student Government President Taylor McElhaney, who spoke about the community spirit at BMOS and her personal growth. “I found something at this little school of ours that has changed me forever,” she noted.
To honor the unique journey of this founding class, the ceremony included special video features detailing their time together across distances, followed by the presentation of the BMOS Nexus Award to a student for the first time, Olivia Johnson. The prestigious award honors the individual whose presence serves as a vital link connecting, supporting, and empowering others—someone who embodies the true spirit of BMOS by elevating the potential of everyone around them to achieve more together than anyone could alone.
Olivia Johnson receiving the first BMOS Nexus Award
Head of School Sue Sadler concluded the ceremony with a valedictory, recognizing the historic moment for the 141-year-old school. “Bryn Mawr has always been the home of women who see beyond the ordinary,” she said. “Back in 1885, that meant trying to give women educational opportunities on par with their male counterparts. Like our original founders, you saw a path that didn’t really exist, and you trailblazed it to your dreams. That leap of faith has changed the path for all of us.”
The BMOS Faculty
To accommodate family, friends, and peers tuning in from multiple time zones and countries, the ceremony was broadcast via a full live-stream component.
Congratulations to the BMOS Class of 2026!
