Highlander Connections (HSX)
We are excited to welcome you into our Highlander community and to launch our 2026 Highlander Summer Connections (HSX) program. The HSX program is designed to build community for the coming school year, connecting new students with each other and with returning students, through a variety of virtual and in-person events.
In our HSX program, new students have the opportunity to interact with returning and other new students in small groups. Through these group connections, we aspire for our new Highlanders to begin feeling rooted in our community, more informed about what lies ahead, and ready to start the school year with confidence! Scheduled events will require about an hour of your time. We will host these events on Zoom along with two, in-person events on campus.
HSX EVENTS
Join in community-building activities, learn more about your new classmates, and build relationships with key faculty members and student leaders.
July 22 | 7 p.m.- Incoming 11th , 12th, and PG students - Zoom
Focus on college counseling, co-curricular offerings and athletic recruiting in this session with our Athletic Director and Dean of Co-Curricular Activities, College Counseling Office, Head Tour Guides, and Prefects
July 29 | 3:30 p.m. — On-campus, in-person activities and picnic
All incoming students and parents
Join us for an afternoon of lawn games, music and dinner, led by the Admissions Office with local returning students and student leaders. More information to follow.
August 25 | 7 p.m. - Highlander Boot Camp 2 - Zoom
All incoming students and parents
Join members of the Admissions team, Dean of Students Office, Academic Office, and other members of the Gunn community for a second rendition of the Parent Bootcamp to answer any last-minute questions before you arrive on campus.
September 3 | 5:30 p.m. — New Family Welcome Reception — Head of School’s Residence
All incoming students and parents
Please save the date! New students and families are invited to campus to meet returning students, families, and faculty before the start of the school year. Formal invitation to follow later this summer.
PAST WEBINARS
June 15 | 7 p.m. - Highlander Boot Camp 1 - Zoom
All incoming students and parents
Join members of the Admissions team, Dean of Students Office, Academic Office, and Bretter Family Head of School Emily Raudenbush Gum for an informational webinar via Zoom to ensure a smooth onboarding process here at Gunn.
June 30 | 7 p.m. - Incoming 9th-grade students - Zoom
Meet with the Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Life, First-Year Class Dean, and the Prefects to help you prepare for your first year at Gunn.
July 2 | 7 p.m. - Zoom - Incoming 10th-grade students
Connect with the Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Life, Sophomore Class Dean, the Prefects, and Head Tour Guides in this session just for sophomores.