Some of the high schools are pushing 3000 students.

According to the locals, FCPS switched to GMU and other indoor venues sometime in the early 90s when a torrential thunderstorm/hail/tornado warnings occured in the middle of graduation night ceremonies.

Everyone had to run for cover inside the school.

They put grads in the gym and everyone else in various locations inside and tried to finish using the PA system.

Then the power went out

My long time resident neighbors said after that disaster, fcps switched to indoor venue graduations.

They do the same thing in the midwest city that I grew up in. Same reasons of an unfortunate spring tornado warning and hail hitting in the middle of graduation ceremonies.

The graduations of small schools are in their respective schools.

Graduations of all the large schools are at the convention center.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most schools graduate at Eagle Bank.

All of the large schools graduate there.

Langley is graduating at Constitution Hall, because, noblesse oblige.

That’s not what “noblesse oblige” means. Noblesse oblige would mean Langley parents sacrificing for the good of the less fortunate, and that is not their thing.

You don't do humor, I see.

Langley is a small school.

I attended two different high schools in two different states. Both held graduation off school grounds (one was at Towson University in Maryland) and the other was at a local indoor events center/arena with stadium seating where all the high schools graduated. Graduating classes were 200 and 400 students each.

DC graduated HS at DAR in the late a.m.

Mad rush to get there early, park in a parking garage and then walk four blocks on a hot and humid 90+ day.

We are a family of 5 and although we could have tried for extra tickets, it wasn’t the environment that the elderly grandparents would have liked - crowded, hurried and open seating.

Then after the ceremony, we were hustled out of DAR because another HS had grad soon after. Told not to take more than a few photos, walk away ASAP. Difficult to find your grad and meet up at the end because they left from a side entrance and everyone else out the front.

Next HS grad used Jiffy Lube and despite initial hesitation (too far, during Covid, would it be impersonal) it was nearly perfect and a nicer venue - felt more relaxed and far easier to meet up with graduates and their families and take pics. Didn’t feel hurried and very comfortable venue.

Anonymous wrote:Actually, almost no FCPS schools graduate at DAR - only four. The majority graduate at Eagle Bank.

Given the stories I've heard about traffic, timing, accessibility, etc. I'd actually prefer my kid wasn't going to be graduating at DAR (my older one graduated at Jiffy Lube Live due to COVID and, name aside, I thought it was a great choice). The grass is always greener, I suppose.

I teach at Marshall and we are always at DAR. It’s a nice venue, but getting there and parking are sort of a pain. I, too, loved the year we were at Jiffy Lube Live - outside, but under cover and plenty of free parking.

This is crazy to me. I have never heard of HS graduations being held anywhere that isn’t the HS the students are graduating from.

*have, not are

We are to pay for parking at the DAR.

If OP’s kid’s graduation was at DAR, then the post would read:

Why is our graduation at DAR???!!!

Seriously? We have to scope to ANOTHER state, fight traffic & crime and LIMITED seating?! Why can’t our venue be to perfectly fine GMU arena with ample parking and seating? WHY ??!?

You are going to giant bland venues because the schools don't want to have to limit tickets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most schools graduate at Eagle Bank.

All of the large schools graduate there.

Langley is graduating at Constitution Hall, because, noblesse oblige.

That’s not what “noblesse oblige” means. Noblesse oblige would mean Langley parents sacrificing for the good of the less fortunate, and that is not their thing.

Anonymous wrote:Most schools graduate at Eagle Bank.

All of the large schools graduate there.

Langley is graduating at Constitution Hall, because, noblesse oblige.

Anonymous wrote:Horrendous! HORRIFIC! MEDIOCRITY!

DC's diploma will be printed on a recycled Tropical Smoothies flyer!

This is correct. And the gowns will be made of flammable polyester while those graduating at DAR will be wearing gowns made of silk.

Are you kidding? We are in APS and we have to go to DAR... Each family gets 4 tickets ONLY due to size constraints. That leaves no room for grandparents or siblings if you have more than 3 kids (yes these families exist!) At least at Eagle Bank you have unlimited seating and parking!