US Elementary School Flag Ceremony Guide
A complete guide to conducting an American elementary school morning flag ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance, Flag Code rules, and compère lines.
Our elementary school gathers on the assembly ground for the morning flag ceremony and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Clear, respectful, and encouraging for elementary school students.
Honor and respect for all. Honor and respect for all.
- Runs
- 10 min
- The order
- 6 steps
- Citations
- 2 templates
- The hall
- 4 things to do
- Stand straight and face the flag directly during the ceremony.
- Place your right hand flat over your heart during the Pledge.
- Remove any non-religious hats with your right hand and hold at the left shoulder.
- Remain completely quiet while the flag is raised or lowered.
- Hoisting
- The flag must be raised briskly to the top of the staff.
- Lowering
- The flag must be lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
- How the hall stands
- Individuals stand at attention facing the flag with right hand over heart.
- The salute
- Persons in uniform render the military salute; non-uniformed individuals place right hand over heart.
- The anthem
- Played or sung immediately following the Pledge while maintaining attention for about one to two minutes.
- Never
- The flag should never touch the ground, floor, water, or merchandise.
- Who may hoist it
- Designated student color guard members or school staff members may hoist the flag.
Step by step, with the ceremony clock
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1
Call to order
Good morning students and teachers. Please stand quietly and come to attention for our morning flag ceremony.
Stand tall at the podium facing the assembly hall.
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2
Hoisting the flag
Color guard, hoist the colors.
Raise the flag briskly to the top of the flagpole while the assembly stands silent and motionless.
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3
Pledge of Allegiance
Please place your right hand over your heart and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Place right hand over left chest, facing the American flag.
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4
National Anthem
Remain standing at attention with right hand over heart while the National Anthem plays.
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5
Flag etiquette tip
Thank you. Remember that our flag is folded into a triangle to honor the tri-cornered hats worn by early soldiers.
Lower hand and pause for the color guard to complete their post.
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6
Dismissal
Color guard, dismissed. Everyone may turn quietly and head to your classrooms. Have a wonderful day of learning.
Nod to the color guard and step back from the podium.
The last line: Have a wonderful and productive school day, everyone.
Pick the template, fill the blanks, read it from the card
The opening, the lines between names, the closing
Welcome teachers and students to our morning assembly. Today we gather to honor our flag and practice civic duty together. Please stand at attention, keep your hands by your side, and face the flag with dignity. We will show our appreciation with warm focus rather than loud shouting.
- Thank you to our color guard for leading us with such care.
- Let us maintain this proud and respectful quiet as we proceed.
Thank you for showing deep respect to our national symbol this morning. Carry this same spirit of pride, unity, and effort into your classrooms today.
Who hands it, which hand, where the photo is
The lead student steps forward to receive the color guard sash from the principal. Handover is made using both hands, receiving the sash with dignity. A photo is taken in front of the flagpole with the student standing straight.
- Every student in attendance participates fully in the Pledge.
- No individual marks, ranks, or student comparisons are read aloud.
- Absent students serving on school safety duties are recognized in their role.
What a first-time compère should know
- Speak clearly into the microphone using a calm and dignified voice.
- Wait for the entire hall to quiet down before starting the Pledge.
- Keep your hand over your heart firmly to set an example for younger grades.
- Speak slowly and clearly into the microphone so young elementary students can follow your directions easily.
- Use visual cues, like placing your own right hand over your heart, to remind younger children what to do.
- Maintain a respectful, calm, and dignified posture throughout the entire ceremony on the dais.
- Pause after every instruction to give classes enough time to stand, face the flag, and quiet down.
Worth knowing
- Follow the official United States Flag Code for hoisting, lowering, and folding the flag.
- Hoist the flag briskly at the start of the ceremony and lower it ceremoniously at the end.
- Stand at attention facing the flag with your right hand placed firmly over your heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Never allow the flag to touch the ground or floor under any circumstances.
- Fold the flag into a sharp triangle, representing the tri-cornered hat of Continental Army soldiers.
- Keep spoken directions simple, clear, and direct for Class 1-5 elementary assemblies.
Where it is done, and why
Leading a morning flag ceremony is an important responsibility. As the compère, your job is to guide your school with calm dignity, clear instructions, and clear respect for national symbols. This guide gives you the exact script, order of steps, and flag etiquette rules needed to run a smooth morning assembly from the podium.
Use this guide to practice your timing and spoken lines. You will learn how to direct the color guard, lead your classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance, and keep the whole assembly focused and respectful.
About this piece
- The United States Flag Code provides official rules for displaying and respecting the American flag.
- When raising the flag, it must be hoisted briskly to the top of the staff.
- When taking the flag down, it must be lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
- The flag should never touch the ground, floor, water, or merchandise.
- When folded, the flag forms a triangle that symbolizes the tri-cornered hats worn by Continental Army soldiers.
- During the Pledge of Allegiance, individuals stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their heart.
How it is done
- American elementary schools typically begin the day with a flag ceremony that includes the Pledge of Allegiance and sometimes the national anthem.