Graduation Information
Commencement for the Class of 2026 will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, at the RIT Gordon Field House. Rehearsal is mandatory, and will begin at the Senior High School at 10 a.m. June 26.
Schedule of Events
| 10 - 10:45 a.m. | Light breakfast in the cafeteria for graduates |
| 10:45 - 11 a.m. | Board buses for commencement rehearsal |
| 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Mandatory Commencement rehearsal at RIT Gordon Field House |
| 1 - 1:30 p.m. | Board buses for return to R-H |
| 6 p.m. | Graduates report to the RIT Gordon Field House* |
| 6:30 p.m. | Processional lineup and organization |
| 7 p.m. | Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony |
*Must provide your own transportation; there is no R-H bus.
Graduation Information
Diplomas reflect the full, legal name of the student. In order to receive a cap/gown and participate in the graduation ceremony, no senior may have outstanding debt – in the form of money or materials – owed to the district. If your student owes a debt to the school, please call the Senior High School Library at 359-5252 to find out what is due. Caps and gowns may be picked up in the Comet Café June 8-10 during lunches and 9-11 AM and 1-3 PM June 18 and June 22. Honor cords (see below) can also be purchased at that time ($6 cash or check). Students/families were requested to pre-purchase caps and gowns online through Jostens.
Students, please remember that the ceremony is a celebration for the entire district and is special for parents, relatives, and friends. Appropriate behavior is expected and appropriate attire is respectfully requested. Please, no shorts, sneakers, etc. We want everything to be first class!
Rehearsal for graduates participating in the ceremony is mandatory. No student may drive to RIT for rehearsal; all students must ride on school buses. If everyone is on time, cooperative, and pays attention, we will remain on schedule or finish sooner!
There is ample seating, thus no tickets are required for the ceremony. We encourage family and friends to arrive early for optimum seating choices (please see the Gordon Field House floor plan for your reference). However, if you require a sign language interpreter, please call Ms. Peña in the Main Office at 359-5202 for seating. Please note: RIT protocols include searching all bags upon entrance to the facility. No weapons, even registered weapons, are allowed on campus; other prohibited items include: helium balloons, silly string, confetti, inflatables, noisemakers, bullhorns, and laser pointers (please refer to the RIT Venue Information sheet for all prohibited items and protocols to be followed).
Attached is the RIT parking lot diagram. For your convenience, shuttle buses will be provided for the parking lots farthest away from the Gordon Field House (parking lots E, F, G and H), and will be running continuously from 5:45 to 9:45 p.m. Some of these shuttles will have handicap/wheelchair accessibility. There is limited handicapped parking in Lot D and you must have your Handicapped Parking tags visible when pulling onto campus.
You may take pictures from your seat. However, coming up to the stage to take photos as your student crosses the stage is prohibited. This ensures a better experience for all attendees. GradImages will be taking pictures of the graduates as they receive their diplomas and will send order information directly to you. See the flyer for a PRE-REGISTRATION DISCOUNT.
There is also an opportunity to purchase flowers and/or other keepsakes either at the ceremony or in advance from The Commencement Group. Please see the flyer for more information.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the graduates will exit behind the stage and walk outside around to the front of the building. This allows the graduates to exit the building and join you in a timely manner. Please plan on meeting your graduate outside the Gordon Field House.