This week we are announcing our plans for high school commencement ceremonies. We recognize how disappointing it is for our seniors to miss out on the long-awaited milestones marking graduation. Although a traditional graduation ceremony is not possible due to the pandemic, our Secondary Success and College & Career Readiness team has worked hard to plan a creative way to celebrate graduation.
Seniors and families will be scheduled to rotate through a drive-through graduation ceremony on their high school campuses. Wearing their cap and gown, each student will receive their diploma cover, senior awards, yearbook, graduation programs and Class of 2020 memorabilia. Each graduate will have a professional photo taken, which we will provide at no cost.
Teachers and staff will line the exit route, spaced for social distancing, to cheer graduates as they leave campus.
We know it will not be the same as a traditional commencement. However, everyone will have a chance to be honored in front of their families, see the teachers who have supported them, and be at their school one last time.
We think this will come closest to the experience seniors want to have--much closer than a virtual ceremony, which students have been clear they do not want.
This type of event has been done very successfully at high schools across the country. Your enthusiasm will help seniors get excited about participating. Please share your excitement about celebrating them in an innovative way.
Our seniors have worked hard. They deserve to be celebrated. Together, we can make this an event they will always remember.
Graduation Schedule
Big Picture High School
Location: Woodside Parking Lot
Address: 18367 8th Avenue South, Burien 98148
Date: Wednesday, June 10
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
CBS (Community Based Services)
Location: Woodside Parking Lot
Address: 18367 8th Avenue South, Burien 98148
Date: Wednesday, June 10
Time: 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
CHOICE Academy
Location: Woodside Parking Lot
Address: 18367 8th Avenue South, Burien 98148
Date: Wednesday, June 10
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Evergreen High School
Location: Evergreen Parking Lot
Address: 830 SW 116th St., Seattle 98146
Date: Sunday, June 14
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Highline High School
Location: Olympic Interim Site Parking Lot
Address: 615 S 200th St, Des Moines 98198
Date: Monday, June 15
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mount Rainier High School
Location: Mount Rainier Parking Lot
Address: 22450 19th Ave S, Des Moines 98198
Dates: Tuesday, June 16
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
New Start High School
Location: New Start Parking Lot
Address: 614 SW 120th Street, Burien 98146
Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Puget Sound High School/WELS
Location: Woodside Parking Lot
Address: 18367 8th Avenue South, Burien 98148
Date: Wednesday, June 10
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Raisbeck Aviation High School
Location: Raisbeck Aviation Parking Lot
Address: 9229 East Marginal Way South Tukwila, WA 98108
Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
RTP (Realistic Transition Program)
Location: Woodside Parking Lot
Address: 18367 8th Avenue South, Burien 98148
Date: Wednesday, June 10
Time: 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Tyee High School
Location: Tyee Parking Lot
Address: 4424 S 188th St., SeaTac 98188
Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.