Anonymous wrote:Wootton parent here. Wish we didn’t have to schlep to DAR. Grandparent won’t attend because it’s too inconvenient. They took a survey and DAR won. We thought the football field would have been more appropriate due to convenience, cost and because it’s meaningful.

It's actually more expensive to have graduation at the school's stadium. Chair, stage, and sound system rentals are very expensive due to the labor involved in setting them all up. Sound system rentals are necessary because the systems in MCPS stadiums are generally very poor.

It's still worth it to graduate at home, though.

Einstein parent here. There was a vote. While most parents I know chose the school field, the students overwhelming voted DAR. Not sure why - I'm not sure many of them have ever even been there.

Wootton parent here. Wish we didn’t have to schlep to DAR. Grandparent won’t attend because it’s too inconvenient. They took a survey and DAR won. We thought the football field would have been more appropriate due to convenience, cost and because it’s meaningful.

Anonymous wrote:More than half are at the home school this year

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/graduation/

Glad to see that. Makes more sense to have it at the school. DC is way too much of a hassle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So does this mean the six schools that are having their ceremonies at DAR this year (Einstein, Rockville, Northwood, Watkins Mill, Kennedy, Wootton) decided that they preferred the DAR option over any other? I don't get it.

They are the smaller HSs. They can still offer a decent number of tickets per family. I think Blair was down to 2 or 3 the last time they used it (years ago now)

Einstein's was at their football stadium last year, in the evening, and it was great. I don't know why they would want everyone to schlep to DAR.

Anonymous wrote:So does this mean the six schools that are having their ceremonies at DAR this year (Einstein, Rockville, Northwood, Watkins Mill, Kennedy, Wootton) decided that they preferred the DAR option over any other? I don't get it.

They are the smaller HSs. They can still offer a decent number of tickets per family. I think Blair was down to 2 or 3 the last time they used it (years ago now)

So does this mean the six schools that are having their ceremonies at DAR this year (Einstein, Rockville, Northwood, Watkins Mill, Kennedy, Wootton) decided that they preferred the DAR option over any other? I don't get it.

DAR is incredibly inconvenient. Not only do you have to deal with the hassle of traffic getting down there, but you have to deal with expensive parking. My DS almost missed his graduation because the traffic was horrible that day-took us almost 90 minutes to get there from Rockville. I only wish that the graduation had been at the school.

Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with Constitution Hall? It's so pretty.

It is hard to get to and you are adding another 2 hours to commute time at least. Np. Our ceremony ends at 4:30 and I won’t be home until 6pm earliest. I’m a staff member who prefers we have it at our school.

More than half are at the home school this year

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/graduation/

What's wrong with Constitution Hall? It's so pretty.

Wherever it is people will complain. The HS ceremonies are about 2 hours, and ours, on the stadium field was lovely last year. Just bring a fan, either a battery powered small handheld, or a paper fan, wear linen and you'll be fine

Anonymous wrote:Having done DAR and football field in scorching hot weather, I’ll take the football field any day. So much nicer. Not sure why you have to get there super early.

Because they said so? Gates open at 7:30AM.

I’d rather have it on campus at the U of MD: air conditioned with proper restrooms and ample parking.

Having done DAR and football field in scorching hot weather, I’ll take the football field any day. So much nicer. Not sure why you have to get there super early.

Ours is at the school outside on the field. Everyone needs to arrive super early, and it will be super hot. Everyone will be miserable.

Where is your graduation?