Graduation is composed of the following events
- Baccalaureate Mass
- Commencement Ceremony which consists of the awards ceremony and conferring of diplomas
The Baccalaureate Mass is held as a separate event before the Graduation Ceremony. This is the final liturgy for the graduating seniors. The Graduation Ceremony includes awards and conferring of diplomas. Normally, both ceremonies take place in the Sr. Mary Ursula Flynn, CSJ Convocation Center. During the pandemic, these events were held on Jester Field.
SJHS invites graduating seniors to participate in the Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation if they are in good financial and disciplinary standing.
Graduate “Dress Code”The graduation gowns are made of white, sheer material; therefore, graduating seniors are required to wear white, light pastel or light print dresses and white or nude-colored shoes. Students must bring their shoes to graduation practice. Graduates will be asked to correct their attire, if necessary, to participate in the ceremonies.
Caps and gowns will be distributed a week prior to graduation.
- Each graduating senior should make sure that her graduation gown is pressed prior to the graduation activities.
- Graduates should only wear academic awards, pins, medals, etc. that were awarded by SJHS on their graduation gowns.
Graduation Practice
Graduating Seniors must participate in graduation practice which is conducted the week before graduation. Students must bring their shoes to graduation practice.
Graduation TicketsTickets are not required for the Baccalaureate Mass. Tickets are required for the commencement ceremony. Each graduate receives a set of tickets to distribute to family and friends. Tickets and instructions are distributed a few weeks before graduation.
Diplomas
Each graduate will receive a diploma folder without her diploma; Diplomas will be mailed home at the end of July.
Expectations/Etiquette
The Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony are formal events. Graduates and guests are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting these solemn ceremonies. Unruly guests may be refused entrance, or asked to leave.
We expect the following from all graduates and guests:
- Do not reserve seats for others
- Do not bring balloons to the ceremonies
- Do not spray silly string, throw confetti, etc.
- Reserve applause until all graduates have been announced and have received their diplomas
- Abstain from inappropriate forms of applause – i.e., horn blowing, whistling, yelling, and loud cheering/hooting. We want each family to hear their graduate’s name announced. Stopping after inappropriate disruptions lengthens the ceremony.
- All guests are asked to remain in their seats until the graduates have processed out of the Flynn Center.
- Graduates will be escorted to the Jester Field immediately following the ceremony. You may locate your graduate on the Jester Field after the ceremony.
ParkingThe Flynn Center parking lot and the residential area are available for parking. DO NOT park in the strip mall on the corner of Woodruff and South because your car will be towed away. There is a parking lot available for SJHS behind the strip mall, next to the Flynn parking lot. Security will be present to direct you.
The main campus parking lot is for graduates and faculty ONLY.
Photography Please limit picture-taking during the ceremony and remain at your seats. A professional photographer will be taking pictures during the conferring of diplomas.
VideotapingThe ceremony will be professionally videotaped. An order form will be available at Graduation practice if you wish to purchase a DVD. If you wish to do your own videotaping, please do so from your seat.
The following will not be allowed:
- setting-up video tripods,
- standing on chairs and bleachers, or
- standing on the sides or in front of other guests.
Guests Attire and BehaviorSince all graduation activities are formal events, we do ask that all guests attending the graduation ceremonies be appropriately dressed for the ceremonies. Guests may be refused entrance if dressed inappropriately.
No eating or drinking is allowed in the Flynn Center.
StrollersStrollers are not allowed in the Flynn Center. Since the ceremony is lengthy and seating is limited, we recommend that you not bring small children. Please note that small children, other infants under a year old, will require a ticket.
ReceptionA light reception for graduates and their guests will follow the Graduation Ceremony on Jester Field. (This was suspended during the pandemic)
Grad Nite
Grad Nite is a private celebration at Disneyland/California Adventure open to high school seniors and their guests from 3pm – 3am. Although the park is still open to the public at 3pm, the park closes to the general public at 10 pm and remains open for the grads and their guests only.
SJHS coordinates this event by facilitating the ticket purchase and transportation to and from the park. Seniors are responsible for all expenses including admission to both parks, dinner, and mandatory transportation. A strict dress code will be enforced. Students attending are subject to search of property and hereby have parental consent to participate in a breathalyzer test when requested to do so.
Each Senior who attends may invite one guest who must be a high school senior.
- All guests are approved in advance of the event.
- SJHS underclasswomen are not permitted to attend as guests of SJHS seniors.
- Saint Joseph High School seniors who are in good financial and disciplinary standing may attend Grad Nite.
