Graduation Information

Commencement Ceremony

• Graduation will be on Monday, June 1, 2026 at the University of St. Thomas
• All graduates must arrive by TBD.
• Ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes.
• Each student will receive 8 tickets to graduation.
• Caps and Gowns will be distributed the week prior to graduation, date TBD.

Graduation Rehearsal

• Date/Time:  TBD at University of St. Thomas
• Graduation rehearsal is mandatory. You must attend rehearsal and be on time to participate in the graduation ceremony. Attendance will be taken.  
• Please be at the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena on the morning of rehearsal. Please be prompt.
• You must provide your own transportation. 
• Rehearsal will take approximately 1½ to 2 hours.
• You do not wear cap and gown to the rehearsal

All-Night Party

More information on this fun night, as well as how to purchase tickets, and sign up for volunteer shifts coming soon!

Graduation Attire

The gowns are single-use gowns and you will be able to keep them.  When you receive your cap and gown there will be instructions for their care.  Hang them up on a hanger to assist with the removal of wrinkles.  Do not add any decorations to the cap or gown.  Honors cords and IB medals may be worn on the outside of the gown.  Any caps with decorations on them will be confiscated prior to the ceremony.  Your tassel should be worn on the left side.  This is a dignified ceremony.  Please be respectful of your classmates and Highland Park Senior High.  Remember to take all pictures before you arrive at Roy Wilkins or after the ceremony.

Identity Adornments:  If the graduating senior would like to wear an adornment which reflects their identity, they may do so.  Details are found at this link (https://forms.gle/GdWppedpbHzcUJSN6) Identity Adornments must be approved prior to the graduation ceremony.  Two things must be completed:

• Fill out this google form, including the picture of yourself wearing the adornment.
• Bring the adornment by Ms. Hedwall’s room (3207) for it to be tagged as approved. If the approval tag is not on there at the ceremony, the identity adornment may be taken until after the ceremony is completed.  Appropriate times include before school, after school and during advisory.

Graduation Tickets and Ceremony

When you receive your cap and gown, each graduate will receive eight (8) tickets for the ceremony. These tickets will be collected at the doors at the graduation ceremony.  Guests requiring a handicap accessible entrance and seating may use the TBD entrance.  There is limited seating for handicapped guests on the main floor.  Only one family member will be allowed to sit with the person requiring special arrangements.

Graduates must report to the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena and be inside the waiting area by TBD.  We will begin lining up the graduates at TBD in preparation for the procession.  Only graduates will be allowed in this area.  Please take all pictures before you arrive at the arena or after the ceremony.  Please be courteous.

Each graduate will receive 8 tickets to graduation. There are 8 tickets printed for each graduate.  We will work to facilitate redistribution of unused tickets through a return/request form.  If you are not going to need 8 tickets, we can redistribute to students who may need more than 8.  Students who might need more than 8 are welcome to request up to two more tickets.  These requests are not guaranteed, as they are filled with tickets that are returned from other students.  If you have tickets that will go unused or if you want to request another ticket or two, a form will be available to make this request.

Graduation will be live-streamed – go to www.spps.org/graduations and click on the Highland link.

Parking

Due to the early start time for graduation, traffic may be heavy and parking limited.  Please leave extra early to ensure that you are at the University of St. Thomas at the correct time. Graduates are to enter the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena from the TBD entrance.  Parents and guests must use the other entrances and will be seated in the balcony. Remember, the ceremony is scheduled to begin at TBD and graduates must be backstage by TBD.  If you are late, you will not be able to participate in the ceremony.  Please be prompt.

If you have any further questions, please stop Ms. Hedwall’s room (3207), call (651)744-3881, or e-mail (melissa.hedwall@spps.org)  Finally, take time to enjoy the last few weeks of high school!