Graduation Information

Students will NOT be allowed to carry any items with them (including food, drink, clothes hangers, or flowers) onto the graduation floor.

NO electronic devices will be allowed with graduates at graduation.  This includes cell phones, iPods, cameras, etc.

Please leave all items with a family member before entering the building.  Staff members will be taking unauthorized items.  Confiscated items will be available at HHS front desk in the administration building the following day during office hours.

No tennis shoes, flip flops or shorts will be allowed.  

Mortarboards (Caps) should not be altered in any way, nor should anything (other than the appropriate tassel) be attached to or written on it.  Only HHS-provided graduation apparel may be worn; no pins, flowers etc. allowed.

Any student who appears to be under the influence of a controlled substance will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony and fall under the jurisdiction of local police.

Please have your student check with their English teacher or see Mrs. Tack in the Bookstore to confirm how your name appears in synergy is how it will appear on your diploma no later than March 6, 2026.  If it is incorrect, please see Mrs. Tack immediately so we can make the appropriate arrangements to get this fixed. Carla.tack@husd.org or 480-279-7445

The graduation ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Students who are not present at call time (6:15 p.m.) will not be able to participate.

If you are unable to attend graduation on the 19th, please make arrangements to pick up your diploma after May 20th at the front desk during school office hours.

All seniors are encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Please contact Mrs. Tack at 480.279.7445 or Mrs. Simmons at 480.279.7313, if you will NOT be participating in graduation before April 15th.

🎥 Livestream Link

For friends and family who cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed online:
👉 Link will be published closer to graduation day.

Since parents may not enter the arena floor, a professional photographer from Lou Coopey will be at the graduation ceremony to take a candid photograph of each graduate at the time the diploma is presented.  You may place orders and obtain answers to questions at Lou Coopey Photography office.  Since professional photographers will be available, arena staff members ensure that family and guests can remain in their seats relaxed to enjoy the ceremony.  Please visit the lou coopey website for ordering:  www.loucoopey.com 

Graduation practice will be held at Higley High School on Tuesday, May 19th at 6:00 a.m.  Practice is mandatory.  If you are not at graduation practice, you may not participate in the ceremony.  Do not bring your cap and gown to practice.  Graduates with names that have a difficult pronunciation, please see the name readers after practice. QR code will be available on Friday, May 15 at senior checkout and at graduation practice posted outside for you to learn of your row assignment.  This will ensure practice runs smoothly and once doors open you can immediately go right to your row assignment and teacher to take attendance.

Graduation is held at ASU Desert Financial Arena, 600 East Veterans Way, Tempe, AZ 85281

No tickets required. No limit on the number of family/friends able to attend. Seating is on a first come first serve basis and doors will open 1 hour prior to ceremony. 

Disabled seating is available on a first come first serve basis.  Unable to reserve seating for you.

Honor Cords will be handed out at either the students last club meeting / event or Senior Awards Night.  Only approved Honor Cords will be allowed.

NHS and Student Council Stoles

Stoles will be taken care of by the advisor.  Please check with Mrs. Charnofsky or Mrs. Lewandowski for NHS and Mrs. Rohner for STUCO. 

• COMPELTED Thursday, August 21, 2025 – 1^st Senior meeting in the HCPA 3^rd hour. Report to 3^rd hour for attendance and then travel to HCPA after attendance.
• COMPLETED Saturday, September 6, 2025 – Deadline for Senior Yearbook photos.  Schedule photo appointment with Lou Coopey at www.loucoopey.com.  Select “click here to book your appointment” and then choose senior appointments and date/time that best suits your
• COMPLETED Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Senior Panaromic Picture – all seniors are to report to 1^st hour and once attendance is taken immediately report to football field for picture.
• COMPLETED Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – LAST chance for senior pictures to be in yearbook.  Pictures will be taken at Lou Coopey.
• Monday, March 30, 2026 – Jostens delivers ALL ordered cap/gowns during both lunches to Seniors in cafeteria. If not present, pick up in Bookstore on March 31^st or by April 17^th.
• Tuesday, March 31, 2026, through Friday, April 17, 2026 – Cap/Gowns not picked up in cafeteria on March 30, 2026, please see Bookstore immediately. If you have not ordered your cap and gown, get on Jostens.com immediately to order. 
• Monday, April 8, 2026 – 2^nd Senior meeting in the HCPA 3rd hour. Report to 3rd hour for attendance and then travel to HCPA after attendance.
• Monday, May 11, 2026 – Senior Honors and Awards Ceremony – 6:30 pm check in at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts. The ceremony starts at 7:00 pm. (Plan accordingly for parking as other events are taking place on campus this evening)
• Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15, 2026 – Final exams for ALL seniors - These are full days of school.
• Friday, May 15, 2026 - Senior checkout begins ONLY AFTER THEIR LAST FINAL HAS BEEN TAKEN. ALL SENIORS MUST HAVE A CHECKOUT FORM COMPLETE AND SIGNED OFF. Checkout forms will be available May 15, 2025, in the cafeteria at the first checkout station (#1 athletics).  To participate in your commencement ceremony, you must make sure all items are turned in and fees/fines are paid. DEADLINE to complete is Friday, May 15, 2026, at 3:30pm. 
• Tuesday, May 19, 2026 — Mandatory Graduation Practice will begin promptly at 6:00 am in the aux gym.
• Tuesday, May 19, 2026 – Graduation ceremony at ASU’s Desert Financial Arena at 7:30 pm. Check-in at 6:15 p.m. do not be late.

NO CHANGES under Important Information from Desert Financial Arena and Requesting Transcripts

High School Graduation represents the culmination of a student’s academic achievement. It is a time of celebration and reflection for students, family, friends, faculty, and staff. It brings together a diverse community to share the joy of accomplished goals. Graduation is a special event for all involved. Please show respect for everyone who has come to share in the experience. Individuals who engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior may be removed from the event.

DESERT FINANCIAL SPECIAL SERVICES

• Lost and Found is located in room 116
• First Aid Station will be located in section #15
• Handicapped seating is available in the arena. First come, first served
• Restrooms and Concessions are available around the concourse

PARENT/GUEST GUIDELINES

• The doors to the Desert Financial Arena open at 1:30pm, one hour prior to the graduation ceremony
• The event is open to the public.
• Parents, family and friends will not be allowed on the floor at any time before, during or after the ceremony.
• Security at Desert Financial Arena may be conducting “searches” of all students and adults entering the facility as they would for a regular ASU sponsored event.
• All spectators will pass through metal detectors prior to entering the arena.
• See the following lists for items that will and will not be allowed in the arena.

THE FOLLOWING WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE ARENA

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
• Small clutch bags (no larger than 4.5" x 6.5") with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the venue
• Medically necessary items after proper inspection at gates
• Factory sealed water bottles 51 oz. / 1.5 liters or smaller
• Empty non-disposable plastic water bottles • Small retractable umbrellas
• Umbrella strollers
• Service animals
• Seat cushions and chair backs must be 18" or less in width (No pockets, zippers, compartments, or covers)

THE FOLLOWING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE ARENA

• Soft or hard sided coolers, ice chests
• Glass or metal containers
• Outside beverages
• Tortillas
• Use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and smokeless cigarettes/tobacco
• Cameras with detachable lenses greater than 6" or video cameras
• Tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks for cameras/phones
• Full size strollers
• Backpacks, diaper bags and other similar bags will not be allowed
• Bikes, skateboards, scooters, hover boards, long boards
• Large golf umbrellas
• Pitchforks (wood, metal, plastic)
• Sticks, poles or similar objects that can be used as a weapon
• Weapons of any kind including those carried with permit
• Fireworks, drones or laser pointers
• Artificial noisemakers (Example: air horns, thunderstix, musical instruments, cans filled with contents, whistles, cow bells or any other item used to make artificial noise)
• No pets/animals

To enhance public safety and make stadium access more efficient, Sun Devil Athletics adopted a Clear Bag Policy. Guests may bring in one (1) clear bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" or a 1-gallon plastic storage bag. Fans are limited to one clear bag per person, along with a small clutch or purse for privacy. Staff from the ASU Bookstore will be on hand selling bags should you need them.

Now is the time to place your order for your gradation needs. There are many graduation packages available for purchase through Jostens. Jostens.com or call 1.800.567.8367.  FINAL Deadline to order is March 6, 2026.

If you are planning on attending a four-year University, Community College or vocational training program and the school requires Final Transcripts, you will use Parchment.com for your requests. Please follow this link to begin requesting: https://www.parchment.com/u/registration/197685/account. Questions contact – Registrar, Mrs. Marjorie Scott, Marjorie.scott@husd.org, 480.279.7312

Senior Awards Ceremony is May 11, 2026, in the Higley Center for Performing Arts at 7:00pm.  The program will begin promptly at 7:00pm.  If you choose not to participate in the awards ceremony or if there is a change in your award, please contact the Counseling Office (480.279.7304).

Seniors will receive check out forms in cafeteria on Friday, May 15^th starting at 8am.  ALL FINALS MUST BE COMPLETE IN ORDER TO START SENIOR CHECKOUT.  All Seniors with any outstanding debts (including book, athletic, class fees, uniforms, lost books, etc.) must be paid in full to participate in the graduation ceremony.  ALL SENIORS MUST HAVE A CHECKOUT FORM COMPLETE AND SIGNED OFF.  BOOKSTORE IS THE LAST PERSON AND WILL BE THE FINAL PERSON TO STATE THEY ARE CLEARED!  Check with the bookstore now to see if you have any outstanding debts!  Completed/signed form need to be turned into the bookstore no later than May 15th at 3:30 p.m.