Class of 2026 Road To Graduation

Graduation is just around the corner, and we want to ensure every graduate and their loved ones are informed and prepared as these future celebrations quickly approach. 

• Senior Meeting, Friday April 24 Advisory (1:40-2:50 p.m.) 
  • Voting for Prom court
  • Graduation speakers and performers
  • Senior awards night honors
  • Details on all end of year events including Prom & Graduation 

• Talent Show, Thursday April 30 6:30 p.m.  
  • Try-outs have happened but we still have room for acts if you are interested. 
  • Don’t leave WS without showing off your true talents or take in the show with friends from the audience. 

• Cap and Gown Distribution, Tuesday May 5 Lunch (12:05-1:40 p.m.) 
  • Still haven’t ordered?  Order your cap and gown online.  This does not guarantee your cap and gown unit will be available for pickup at the May 5 distribution event, but the company promises to see what they can do to accommodate.  You will, however, get it before graduation. 
  • If finances are an issue, your graduate should reach out to their counselor immediately to access the programs we have to support. 

• Senior Awards Night, Thursday May 21 6 p.m. 
  • Join the class of 2026 as we celebrate and honor students with scholarships, department awards, and student nominated awards. 
  • This event is open to all graduates, their families, and their friends. 

• Field Day, Wednesday June 3 12:55-2:20 p.m.  
  • Modified schedule day.  Spend the afternoon with peers enjoying live music, food trucks, and student sponsored activities. 
  • We are looking for parent volunteers for this event.  Please access this sign-up genius for available slots.

• Book Returns, Friday June 5 

• All WSHS library books, class novels, and textbooks must be returned. 

• If you have any old books from your middle school or elementary school, they can be returned to Amy in the library on or before June 5. 

• Returning books early will help eliminate fines & fees connected to the missing materials 

• Prom , Saturday June 6, 8-11 p.m. 
  • Location: Dockside at Duke’s (1111 Fairview Ave N, Seattle) 
  • Join your peers for the last dance of your High School experience.  We will have a professional DJ, professional photo booth, sweet treats and drinks. 
  • Tickets 
  • May 18-22 tickets will be $20 w/ activities sticker, $25 without 
  • May 26-June 5 tickets will be $25 w/ activities sticker, $30 without 
  • Students who purchased their ticket online MUST pick their physical ticket up. 
  • All students, regardless of online payment or in-person payment must meet in-person to get their physical ticket and get their name and guest name added to the official guest list. 
  • Each senior is given the opportunity to bring a guest outside of the graduating class as your date.  Guests that are West Seattle underclassmen will not need a guest pass, but their name must be included when purchasing a ticket.   
  • Any guest, senior or underclassmen, that doesn’t attend WS will need to complete a guest form PRIOR to purchasing their ticket. 
  • Guest Pass form: WSHS Outside Guest Form 2026 Prom

• Senior checkout sheets, Released Monday June 8   
  • Due back no later than Friday June 12
  • All seniors are required to complete a senior checkout form. 
  • The form will include the following items that need to be signed off. 
• Librarian signature 
  • All materials must be returned to the library. This includes WSHS library books, class novels, laptops, chargers, and textbooks. Do not forget your charger! 
  • Missing materials from elementary and middle school in the SPS district follow students to graduation.  
  • If you do have any old books from your middle school or elementary school, they can be returned to Amy in the library at any point on or before June 12th. 
  • If you have fines from other schools, please ONLY clear/PAY them with Ms. Penner, here at WSHS, NOT at the school that issued the fine 
  • When ALL materials have been returned, you will get a Library stamp indicating a clear account, NO fines, & no need to see Mrs. Penner, our fiscal specialist 
  • If any items are missing at this time, a fine will be issued, and you must see the fiscal specialist to pay fines before graduation.  
• Fiscal Specialist signature 
  • After all fines have been paid, you will get a signature from our fiscal specialist Mrs. Penner. 
  • This signature says that you have no outstanding fines.  
  • You can check the Source at any point to see if you have any outstanding fines prior to checkout.   
  • Fines can be from  
  • missing material dating back to elementary school in the SPS district. 
  • Unpaid Activity Stickers if you participated in sports. 
  • You will not be given a diploma if your fines are not paid off.  
  • If you have questions about any fines or would like to pay your fine, please reach out to Maria Penner mpenner@seattleschools.org  
• Teacher signatures 
  • Each of your assigned teachers must sign off stating that you are in good standing to pass their class. 

• Counselor signature 
  • Your last stop will be with your counselors.  You must have all the other signatures at this time.   
  • Counselors will review your signatures, confirm that you have completed your Naviance tasks as part of your High School and Beyond Plan 
  • Turning this in with your counselor gets your name added to our final list allowed in graduation practice. 

• Seniors last week of classes 
  • June 8-12

• Yearbook Distribution Party, Tuesday June 9 3:40-4:40 p.m. (after school) 
  • All students who have pre-ordered a yearbook are invited to our yearbook distribution party.  The yearbook class will host an after-school pickup which will include access to snacks and drinks, free sharpies, music, and plenty of space to start signing yearbooks with your peers.   
  • There is no additional charge for this event as it is included in the price of the book. 
  • ASB law prevents us from having open yearbook sales all year long.  Our last sale closed during Spring break, and we are unable to open the sales again until the distribution event.   
  • Thankfully we have additional copies of the yearbook reserved for seniors to purchase.  To keep things fair, we will be letting families put their name on a waitlist and will sell the books that day using SchoolPay, cash, or check.  The waitlist does not guarantee you a book, but we will honor the list in order of names entered until we sell out.  If any additional books are available after seniors have been given a chance to purchase, we will open sales to underclassmen. 
  • Yearbooks are $55. 
  • Link for waitlist: 2026 Yearbook Waitlist – Fill out form 
• Senior Sunset, Thursday June 11 (30 mins before sunset) 
  • Tentative location is Lowman Beach.  Follow the @wshsasb account on Instagram for updates. 
  • Laptop returns 

• Friday June 12 
  • This will be the designated day for checking back in your district issued laptop and charging cords.  You will visit the library during your Language Arts class on this day. 
  • If you do not have a Language Arts class or you are a Running Start student, you can stop by the library at any point on or before June 12 to return your materials. 
  • All laptops must be returned with a charging cord. If you have lost your charging cord, you can buy a new one at Target or Amazon or another store that is compatible with your laptop OR you will be charged a $49 fine. No exceptions.  
  • If you do not have your laptop and charger to turn in on the 12, a fine will be added to your account. *See senior checkout for next steps. 
  • If you have any questions about laptops, reach out to Amy in the library acvattuone@seattleschools.org. 

• Seniors last day in classes, Friday June 12  
  • This will be the seniors’ last official day of school.  We will run our typical Friday schedule to include our Moving Up Assembly in Advisory. 
  • Assembly: 1:40-2:50 p.m.
  • One tradition is for seniors to wear gear from the future college, military branch, or work field they plan to attend. 
  • Please help ASB and Counselors plan for the moving up ceremony by sharing your plans.  This is a quick two question form.  
  • Moving Up Ceremony-Future Plans (Class of 2026) – Fill out form 

• Senior Breakfast, Monday June 15 9 a.m. 
  • PTSA will be hosting a senior breakfast in the commons prior to our graduation practice. 
  • To attend you must have your senior checkout sheet turned into your counselor. 
  • This is a free event for seniors and will count as your attendance for the day. 
  • If you are a parent interested in volunteering at the breakfast or would like to contribute to the breakfast spread, please reach out to Amy Doll asdoll@seattleschools.org  

• Graduation Practice, Monday June 15 following the Senior breakfast. 
  • This practice is required for participation in the actual graduation. 
  • You will be able to choose who you sit with but not necessarily who you walk with during the ceremony. 
  • No cap & gown is required for practice.  
  • We will practice entering and exiting from our seats multiple times. 
  • Do a loose run through of the ceremony practicing moments when the seniors will be involved. 
  • practice name reading. 
  • There is no set run time for this practice.  The more you listen and follow directions, the quicker we will get through the practice.  Run time is determined by your actions. 
  • One item you will have to take care of during practice is creating your name card. This card will be used to say your name properly when you receive your diploma. 
  • Each student will fill out a name card with the full name you’d like read at the ceremony. 
  • You will write it as it is spelled and write it out phonetically. 
  • Example: 
    • Angela Ferda 
    • Ann-juh-luh Fur-duh 

• Graduation, Wednesday June 17 8 p.m. 
  • Location: McCaw Hall 
  • 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109 
  • The ceremony will start right at 8 p.m. Expect the ceremony to last no longer than 90 minutes. 
  • Graduates must be at the Mercer Street North entrance of McCaw Hall (below the Mercer St. Garage footbridge) no later than 7 p.m.  
  • Families will enter through the main doors of McCaw Hall. 

• What to wear 
  • To participate in the ceremony, graduates must be in the National Achiever issued cap & gown unit zipped up. 
  • You can decorate your cap as you please, but it must be a school appropriate message. 
  • No curse words, drug or alcohol references, or inappropriate images 
  • If your cap is not appropriate you will have to buy a new one at the ceremony to participate in graduation. 
  • Any additional cords, stoles, and medals that were earned through scholarships, clubs, or awards are free to be worn on top of the traditional cap and gown unit. 
  • Students who have been gifted cultural gear such as leis or cultural stoles are welcome to wear those on top of the cap and gown unit. 
  • You will be doing a lot of walking before, during, and after the ceremony, including up and down staircases, across stages, and outside into the Seattle Center Founders court.  
• Wear appropriate shoes that you can walk in 
• Tickets (wristbands) for Graduation 
  • Each senior will automatically be given 4 wristbands.  
  • A request for additional tickets went out in April and all families that put in a request will have access to those additional tickets. 
  • We are working with the district to confirm all available seating and promise to pass out any additional wristbands during senior checkout if they become available. 
• Parking & entrance locations 
  • There is paid parking available at the stadium, street parking in the lower Queen Anne district, as well as across the street from McCaw Hall at the Mercer Street Garage. 
  • We encourage families to carpool together, drop their graduates at Mercer Street entrance, and then go find parking. 
• Celebrating your graduate 
  • Per McCaw Hall rules, no balloons, glitter, confetti, silly string, fog horns, banners, or loud noisemakers are permitted. 
  • Anything that impedes someone else from seeing or hearing their own graduate is not allowed. 
  • There will be no on-stage celebrations or picture opportunities for graduates and families following the ceremony. 
  • Graduates will be ushered out of McCaw Hall after the graduation ceremony finishes. 
  • Families and friends should use the designated exits immediately after the ceremony and plan to reunite with their graduate at the Seattle Center Founders Court (in-between the Exhibition Hall and Cornish Playhouse) 
  • A professional photographer will be working the ceremony, and we will get that information on how to order prints to you as soon as it becomes available. 
  • You are welcome to bring your own cameras to capture your moments, but families must stay in the designated seating while taking photos. 
• Diploma Pickup 
  • Starting Thursday June 18 graduates will be able to pick up their diploma in the front office. 
  • The graduate or parent/guardian of the graduate must be there to sign for the diploma. 
  • If you cannot make it on the 18, summer hours for the building will be 8-2 p.m. M-F.  Use the callbox at the main entrances for building access. 

• Donations to the Class of 2026 
  • Donations to the class of 2026 will be used to help supplement end of the year celebrations like Prom, Senior Awards Night, Senior Sunset, etc.  
  • Any surplus funds will be donated to the General ASB account and/or underclassmen ASB accounts. 
  • Donate to the class of 2026  

• Who do I contact? 
  • Laptops and material concerns: Amy Vattuone acvattuone@seattleschools.org  
  • Cap and gown orders: National Achiever  425-357-1338 
  • Counseling & Naviance questions:  
  • Last Names A-El, Erica Nguyen etnguyen@seattleschools.org 
  • Last Names Em-Leb, Kinsey Hedeen krhedeen@seattleschools.org  
  • Last Names Lee-Pi, Mallory Neuman mlneuman@seattleschools.org  
  • Last Names Po-Z, Christine Nutters canutters@seattleschools.org  

Class of 2026 Graduation Ticket Information

March 9, 2026

Plans for graduation are coming together, and we’re excited to share an update about tickets.

Graduation will take place on June 17 at 8 p.m. Because of construction at Memorial Hall this year, the ceremony will be held indoors at McCaw Hall.

Since the event is indoors, the district has set a limit of 4 tickets per family. However, because of the size of our graduating class, families may request additional tickets if needed.

How to request tickets

• Each graduate should check their SPS email for the Graduation Ticket Request Form.
• The form can only be submitted once by the graduate, so please make sure you know how many tickets you need before completing it.
• At this time, families may request up to 3 additional tickets beyond the 4 tickets already provided.

We kindly ask that you only request the tickets your family truly needs so that more families have the opportunity to receive extras.

Deadline:
All ticket requests must be submitted by Friday, April 3.

Thank you, and we look forward to celebrating our graduates together!

Class of 2026 Graduation Update

SPS: 12/12/25

Dear SPS Families,

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is thrilled to share the schedule for graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2026!

Additionally, we are happy to announce McCaw Hall has been chosen as the interim graduation venue site during the construction of the new Memorial Stadium.

We know this information is coming later than expected, and we apologize for the delay. Thank you for your patience as we worked through venue logistics to ensure every graduate has a memorable celebration.

Graduations will take place June 10–17, 2026 (no weekend ceremonies) at multiple locations. Below is the complete schedule:

Wednesday, June 10

• The Center School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, 98109) – 3 p.m.
• Ingraham High School at Northwest Complex (NWAC) at Ingraham (1819 N 135th Street, Seattle, 98133) – 4:30 p.m.
• Nathan Hale High School at Nathan Hale Playfield (10750 30th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98125) – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 11

• Nova High School at Cleveland High School Auditorium (5511 15th Ave. S. Seattle, 98108) – 5:30 p.m.
• Sugiyama High School at Sugiyama at South Lake (8601 Rainier Ave. S Seattle, 98118) – 6 p.m.
• Seattle World School at Seattle World School (1700 E Union St. Seattle, 98122) – 7 p.m.

Friday, June 12

• Interagency Academy at Cleveland High School Auditorium (5511 15th Ave. S. Seattle, 98108) – 5 p.m.
• Middle College at North Seattle College (9600 College Way North, Seattle, 98103) – 6 p.m.
• Cascade Virtual Option at Queen Anne Building (2919 1st Ave W. Seattle, 98119) – 7 p.m.

Monday, June 15

• Franklin High School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) – 2 p.m.
• Ballard High School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) – 5 p.m.
• Rainier Beach High School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) – 8 p.m.

Tuesday, June 16

• Garfield High School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) – 2 p.m.
• Lincoln High School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) – 5 p.m.
• Cleveland High School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) – 8 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17

• Roosevelt High School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) – 2 p.m.
• Chief Sealth High School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) – 5 p.m.
• West Seattle High School at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) – 8 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we finalized these details. We also want to thank the 2,220 community members who completed the Graduation Venue survey. Your input was key in selecting McCaw Hall as the interim site while Memorial Stadium undergoes renovation. 

We are excited to celebrate the achievements of our graduates and look forward to seeing families and friends join us for these special events.

You can find graduation information for the Class of 2026 on the SPS website.

Sincerely,

Bev Redmond  
Chief of Staff
Seattle Public Schools 

SPS: Nov. 26, 2025: Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2026 will take place June 10–17, 2026. Please note that no ceremonies will be scheduled on weekend dates during this period. 

Due to the construction of the new Memorial Stadium, graduations will be held at different sites. Specific dates for individual schools and the location of the ceremonies will be announced once contracts for the new venue are finalized.  We appreciate your patience as we work to confirm these details and ensure a memorable celebration for our graduates.

---

December 2025 Deadlines

Dec. 15, 2025 Cap and Gown Orders Due:

Order cap and gowns here your cap and gowns at the Jostens WSHS Wildcat Store.

Payment Options:

• Pay in full: credit, debit, money order or exact cash
• $80 down payment: $80 cash, check, or credit card down payment with full payment due before deliver in the spring
• $0 down payment: $0 down payment. Turn in the order form and you will be billed in January.

You are welcome to purchase any of the packages but all that is needed to participate in the graduation ceremony is the cap & gown unit:

*If finances are an issue when trying to order your cap and gown, please consider the payment plans or reach out to your counselor or our fiscal specialist Maria Penner to see what your options are for support. If you have a sibling that graduated in previous years, you are allowed to wear their cap and gown unit, we just ask that you get an updated stole and tassel to match the 2026 year.

Dec. 12, 2025 Senior Quote Due: Submit your Senior quote

• This step should only be done by a senior using their @seattleschools SPS email to login
• No profanity or references to inappropriate topics
• Keep in mind that this will be archived in print forever. Choose your words wisely.

---

January 2026 Deadlines

Jan. 16, 2026 Senior Portrait and Baby Photo Due:

Submit your senior portrait and baby photo.

Important information:

• Once you have uploaded your portrait or baby photo, please fill in students name and grade level (12).
• This is the name that will appear under your photo in the book.
• If baby photo, please indicate baby, not grade 12.

Photo Requirements

• File format should be Jpeg
• Images need to be at least 1mb in size
• Must follow West Seattle dress code
• No watermarks, filters, or masks covering the face
• Please note you will not receive a confirmation from the website after you submit but the yearbook staff plans to release a list of photos received closer to the final deadline

Jan. 16, 2026 Adult Shoutout Due:

February 2026 Deadlines

• February 13 – Seattle Promise Scholarship & Seattle Colleges Admissions Application Due 

March 2026 Deadlines

• March 7 – Saturday School. If you have a student that needs a retake, test corrections or missing work remind them to attend Saturday School. Additionally students that need Washington State History and or PE Competency met on their transcript they will have an opportunity to meet both

April 2026 Deadlines

• April 30 – FAFSA and WAFSA Application Due for Seattle Promise Scholarship 

May 2026 Deadlines

• May 1 – Service Learning Hours Submission Deadline 
• May 1 – WA State History due 
• May 21– Senior Awards Night at West Seattle High School Theater from 6-8 p.m.
• May – Senior Class Meeting during Advisory (mandatory: graduation and other end of year event info) Date TBD
• Seattle Promise Students sign up for Readiness Academy 
• Cap and gown pickup at WSHS (seniors without PE/WA state/ service-learning hours /fines paid/in danger of failing can’t pick this up until they are completed or confirmed) 

June 2026 Dates and Deadlines

• June 5 – Senior Survey and High School & Beyond Plan (HSBP) must be completed 
• Prom- June 6 Hosted at Dockside at Duke’s (1111 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109) from 8-11 p.m.
• Yearbook distribution (all grades), laptop return in mentorship – Date TBD 
• Week of June 8 – Senior Check Out Week (Senior Checkout Forms will be distributed in ELA classes, extra forms will be in main office) 
• June 12 – Moving Up Assembly & Final Day on Campus  
• June 15 – Senior breakfast/celebration & Mandatory graduation rehearsal (10 a.m.-1 p.m., here on campus – seniors cannot participate in the ceremony if they miss graduation rehearsal) 
• Graduation – June 17 at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109) at 8 p.m.
• June 18 – Pick up diplomas  

July 2026 Date and Deadlines

• Early July – Final transcripts sent based on school(s) seniors identified
• Mid July – All access to SPS OneDrive is shut off for graduated seniors