Class of 2025 Graduation Window: May 19-30, 2025

HCPSS today announced the window for the Class of 2025 high school graduations as Monday, May 19-Friday, May 30, 2025. No graduations will be held on weekends or on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

HCPSS makes the early announcement of the graduation window to accommodate planning by parents, students, schools and community members. Specific information regarding the dates and times of each graduation ceremony will be finalized in collaboration with Merriweather Post Pavilion and provided by mid-April.

Ceremonies will be held in person at Merriweather Post Pavilion, except for Cedar Lane School, which will hold its graduation ceremony at the school.

Full HCPSS commencement information can be found online.

Caps, Gowns and Tassels

Every graduate must have a cap, gown, and tassel. This is available online through Jostens. The cost is $38.90 (before tax).

Click here to order a cap and gown unit (which includes a tassel).

Order by February 1, 2025.

Cap and gowns are shipped to the school in the spring. You will get your cap and gown at our graduation rehearsal.

Online, you can purchase other optional graduation items from Jostens. 

Items Include:

• Announcements 
• Apparel
• Class Rings
• Yearbook
• Other Graduation Memorabilia 

You may use an older sibling’s gown from previous years, but it MUST be black and gold. Tassel alone is $9.25 (before tax). Click here to order just a tassel.

Is your parent an HCPSS employee? HCPSS permanent employees are able to award their children diplomas at Merriweather Post Pavilion. If your parents are interested, there will be an email/notification shared from the county in the spring. Tell your parent to be on the lookout for electronic communications!

Additional information about graduation:

• Once graduation dates are announced in the spring, you will receive a schedule for senior events.
• Graduation rehearsals will take place during the school day during various class periods.
• Please keep in mind if you have early release, you will be asked to return for rehearsals. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• When is graduation? Graduation dates are determined by the county and usually released in the spring.
• What if I do not have the means to purchase a cap and gown? Reach out to your counselor or to the graduation coordinators and they can help you with this information. 
• What is the deadline to order a cap and gown? Orders should be placed as soon as possible. The last possible date to order is February 1st, 2025. 
• What do I order if I already have a cap and gown?  Order just a tassel from Jostens here.
• Other questions? Contact your graduation coordinator…Ms. Kathryn Carlsen (kathryn_carlsen@hcpss.org) (Room 136)