Graduation 2026

[Anonymous]

The venues for graduations next year are most likely coming around October-December.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The venues for graduations next year are most likely coming around October-December.

A PP said principals and springtine

[Anonymous]

Which schools hold their ceremony at UMD College Park

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which schools hold their ceremony at UMD College Park

Blair and WJ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which schools hold their ceremony at UMD College Park

Blair and WJ

WJ was at UMBC 2024 and College Park 2025. Hoping for College Park for my 2026 senior!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which schools hold their ceremony at UMD College Park

Blair and WJ

WJ was at UMBC 2024 and College Park 2025. Hoping for College Park for my 2026 senior!

Why the change for WJ?

Blair was outside on their own high school fields in 2023. They moved it indoors in 2024? Those two high schools have largest student population, over 3k.

Can other MCP HS request UMD College Park or DAR (accommodate smaller schools)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which schools hold their ceremony at UMD College Park

Blair and WJ

WJ was at UMBC 2024 and College Park 2025. Hoping for College Park for my 2026 senior!

Why the change for WJ?

Blair was outside on their own high school fields in 2023. They moved it indoors in 2024? Those two high schools have largest student population, over 3k.

Can other MCP HS request UMD College Park or DAR (accommodate smaller schools)?

The BOE document linked above explained:

This is a request to approve a new contract with Xfinity Center for graduation ceremonies for the following schools: Montgomery Blair and Walter Johnson high schools. These two high schools have the largest graduating classes in the district. Walter Johnson has 706 seniors, and Montgomery Blair has 677 seniors. Xfinity was chosen to accommodate the number of guests similar to what is offered for smaller high schools. The costs of security and building services is significant and MCPS was provided a one-time discounted price of $154,834 to use the facility for one day for the two ceremonies. Any future use of the venue has been estimated at $180,000 per day.

[Anonymous]

So it cost $77K per ceremony at UMD and $21K per ceremony at UMBC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your principal has likely already made this decision as part of their budgeting for the upcoming school year. They likely made this decision in May or June.

Did not hear any Principal asking for venue preferences of graduating students. Nor the staff

The surveys that some schools put out do not matter. They are meant to give parents a false sense that their opinion matters. They do not matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your principal has likely already made this decision as part of their budgeting for the upcoming school year. They likely made this decision in May or June.

Did not hear any Principal asking for venue preferences of graduating students. Nor the staff

The surveys that some schools put out do not matter. They are meant to give parents a false sense that their opinion matters. They do not matter.

As usual of mcps surveys

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So it cost $77K per ceremony at UMD and $21K per ceremony at UMBC.

UMBC is a significantly further drive. Parking is harder. Traffic gets even more congested because there is essentially one road/path to the location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it cost $77K per ceremony at UMD and $21K per ceremony at UMBC.

UMBC is a significantly further drive. Parking is harder. Traffic gets even more congested because there is essentially one road/path to the location.

It's still better than DAR.

[Anonymous]

Umbc venue cheaper than UMD

[Anonymous]

Do they have buses for families from high school to umbc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they have buses for families from high school to umbc?

According to the email recently sent, "We also know that travel may be a concern for some families. MCPS will provide information in the coming months about transportation options and supports to make sure all students and families are able to attend."