Students and faculty were welcomed back to school on August 31, 2021 with an online ceremony - the first ever in the 157-year history of the school. The 2020-21 academic year kicked off with speeches delivered from the İbrahim Bodur Library by Head of School Adam Oliver, Turkish Director Nilhan Çetinyamaç and Student Council President Sedef Kalkavan L12. Social Science Department Head Esin Pulathaneli also greeted students, with her speech given from a classroom in Gould. The event was facilitated by L12 student Elif Naz Ervatan.
Following the ceremony the school bell rang and the Turkish national anthem ("İstiklal Marşı") was played throughout the campus.
