Cobb Horizon's MAY 2026 graduation will be held on 12:00 noon on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at:

The KSU Convocation Center: 1000 Chastain Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144

Commencement Information and Schedule of Activities Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Kennesaw State University Convocation Center 

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2026! You have completed your graduation requirements! We are very proud of you and look forward to recognizing and celebrating your accomplishment with your fellow graduates on May 19! 

COMMENCEMENT TICKETS 

 All guests attending commencement, including infants and small children, will need a ticket to enter the venue. Guest tickets were to be reserved online by the graduate through the Student Portal. 

 Each ticket will have a unique barcode that will be valid only for the ceremony, date, and time shown on the ticket. Lost or damaged tickets cannot be replaced. Once scanned, the tickets are no longer valid and cannot be used for re-entry into the Convocation Center. 

 Tickets will not be provided to students who do not participate in the ceremony. 

 Ticket distribution will take place at United Church on Thursday, May 14, immediately following the mandatory commencement rehearsal at United Church. 

 A photograph of a ticket (including but not limited to images on a cell phone) may not be substituted for a legitimate ticket. SENIOR CLEARANCE 

 Commencement Contract due no later than Thursday, May 14. Graduates will return signed contract to Ms. Romero in the counseling suite on the 4th floor. 

 All laptop computers or any other materials owed to the school must be returned by Thursday, May 14. Graduates may drop off computers in the media center (fourth floor) with Mr. Parsnick. 

 All students must be cleared prior to rehearsal. 

 Students with outstanding items will be prohibited from participating in the commencement ceremony. FINAL EXAMS 

 COLA senior exam schedule: Wednesday, May 6: 3rd and 4th block Finals Thursday, May 7: 1st and 2nd block Finals 

 Cobb Horizon High School senior exam schedule: Wednesday, May 6: 3rd, 4th, and 5th block Finals Thursday, May 7: 1st and 2nd block Finals COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE 

 Rehearsal for commencement will be conducted at United Church on Thursday, May 14 at 1:00 p.m. United Church is walking distance from Cobb Horizon High School. All commencement information will be shared at this time. o Address for United Church: 1775 Water Place, Atlanta, GA 30339 o Attendance is mandatory for the rehearsal. o Immediately following the rehearsal, graduates will pick up cap/gown/tassel and tickets. 

 All policies, rules, and regulations of Cobb County School District and COLA/Cobb Horizon High School will be enforced during the rehearsal. COMMENCEMENT ATTIRE The following dress for graduates is expected for student participation in the ceremony: 

 Each student must have a current commencement gown with a matching mortarboard and tassel. 

 Caps and gowns can be purchased through Thursday, April 2, on the COLA/Cobb Horizon High School website located under the Commencement Information tab. The cost is $90 and can be paid via Atlgrad.com. Orders after April 2 will incur a $20 late fee. Please contact Ms. Baker at 678-594-8240 or kathie.baker@cobbk12.org to order after April 2. 

 Gentlemen: o Dark dress pants, dark shoes, and dark socks required o Flip flops are not allowed. o Collared dress shirt and tie 

 Ladies o Dark dress that is shorter than the gown OR dark dress pants; shirt collars should not show. o No capris or shorts o Flip-flops are not allowed. Dark or metallic pumps or shoes with straps are recommended. Spiked or high heels are discouraged due to the distance graduates will walk from the parking area to the line-up room and to the ceremony. 

 Mortarboards are to be placed on the top of the head so that the mortarboard is flat on top. Bobby pins are suggested to hold the cap in place. Tassels are to be worn on the RIGHT side of the mortarboard during the ceremony. DECORATING THE MORTARBOARD IS PROHIBITED. 

 To ensure the decorum of the ceremony and to provide consistency among schools, alterations to the mortarboard and gown will not be permitted. Graduates may only wear stoles, cords, and other insignia authorized by COLA/Cobb Horizon High School. 

 All honors cords will be given to qualifying students during graduation practice. 

 As this is a formal and dignified event, graduate clothing should reflect the same. Men shall not wear shorts, flip-flops, or sandals. For women, although not required, flat shoes are recommended due to the distance graduates will walk from graduate parking to the line-up room and to the ceremony venue. LOCATION OF VENUE AND DIRECTIONS 

 The Convocation Center is located on the Kennesaw campus of Kennesaw State University at the intersection of I-75 and Chastain Road. From I-75, exit at Chastain Road (Exit 271) and turn west. Go to the first traffic light past the I-75 ramps and turn right onto Frey Road for graduate or guest parking. 

 For accessible and special assistance parking, continue to the second traffic light and turn right on Kennesaw State University Road. Additional approach information and alternate routes are available on the district website at www.cobbk12.org/graduation. All ticketed guests, including those with disabilities or elderly guests requiring special assistance, will enter the building on the Atrium (Entry) Level through the doors on the north side of the building. 

PARKING 

 KSU charges a $10.00 parking fee per car, paid by credit or debit card; no cash accepted by KSU. 

 Graduates are to park in the Central Parking Deck. Graduates should wear comfortable shoes for walking from the Central Parking Deck to the Seigel Recreation Center (SRC on the map) and the Convocation Center (CC on the map). 

 Guests will park in the East Parking Deck and the East Economy Lot (across Frey Road from the East Parking Deck). Overflow parking will be available in the Central Parking Deck. 

 Guests with disabilities and elderly guests needing individualized assistance should park in either Lot A or Lot B (as designated on the campus map). Golf carts will run continuously to convey guests to and from the Convocation Center. COMMENCEMENT DAY 

 Tuesday, May 19, 12:00 p.m. – Kennesaw State University Convocation Center 

 Graduates need to arrive at KSU with their cap, gown, and tassel and report to the Siegel Recreation Center (SRC) by 10:30 a.m. for check-in and line-up. Graduates may NOT leave anything behind in the line-up area. No security is provided in this area. 

 Doors will open at 11:15 a.m. for guests. A designated door will open at 11:00 a.m. for guests with disabilities and those requiring individualized assistance. Early admission will be granted to the person requiring assistance and one (1) ticketed companion only. 

 Individuals requiring a wheelchair must provide their own. 

 Guests will not be allowed in the graduate seating area. 

 Following the ceremony, graduates will immediately proceed to the Campus Green for the cap toss. 

 STUDENT SPEAKERS: arrive at 9:15 a.m. for a technical rehearsal in the KSU Convocation Center. DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION Diplomas will be available for pick up at COLA/Cobb Horizon High School between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. starting on May 20. COMMENCEMENT PHOTOS 

 Guests are to remain in their seats throughout the commencement ceremony. Only hand-held cameras that do not block the view of other guests may be used. 

 Guests may not walk into the aisles to take photographs. 

 We have arranged for Lifetouch to take an individual photograph of each graduate. Lifetouch will provide a QR code for viewing and ordering graduation pictures. 

VIDEOGRAPHY and VIDEO SALES 

 Video sales will be made available online on the district graduation page (www.cobbk12.org/graduation). 

 CCSD will provide a live webcast of the commencement ceremony which will be publicly available via the school district website (www.cobbk12.org/graduation). FLOWER/GIFT SALES Flowers and other graduation gifts will be available for purchase in the Convocation Center Atrium (lobby) and outside the venue both before and after the ceremony. BAG CHECK 

 In accordance with KSU requirements, all persons entering the Convocation Center will pass through metal detection devices. Also, guests entering the facility with a bag MUST use either a CLEAR TOTE, PLASTIC ZIP TOP BAG, or SMALL CLUTCH to be approved for entry into the venue. Please do not bring any packages that cannot be opened or inspected. Also, please allow extra time for entry as there may be delays. Clear Totes Plastic Zip Top Bag Clutch Bag or Small Purse  Size may not exceed 12”x 6”x 12”  Logo may only be on one side of the bag  Items in the tote must be loose  All bags are subject to search  Size may not exceed 11” x 11”  Resealable  Clear  Size may not exceed 6.5”x 4.5”  May include a handle or strap  Does NOT need to be clear  All bags are subject to search  All bags and packages are subject to search by public safety personnel. Diaper bags are permissible when accompanied by an infant/toddler and are subject to search. Bags that do not meet these criteria will not be permitted into the venue. Please be aware this will delay your entry into the facility, and we advise arriving early to make sure you are seated for the ceremony. Please DO NOT bring any packages that cannot be opened and inspected. The details above have been provided by KSU regarding clear totes, plastic zip top bags, and small clutches. 

PROHIBITED ITEMS 

Any object which obscures the view or impacts the safety of others is not allowed in any district managed venue. A complete list of prohibited items is available on the district graduation web page (www.cobbk12.org/graduation). -Balloons and signs are not permitted in the venue. -Strollers are not permitted. -KSU will only allow for clear, empty water bottles inside of the facility. These may be refilled at stations inside the venue. 

CONDUCT OF GRADUATES AND GUESTS 

 Behavior at the ceremony and practices must be exemplary. Throwing of caps in the KSU Convocation Center is inappropriate, dangerous, and not permitted. Restitution for any damage to the venue or district property will be the responsibly of the graduate or guest who causes said damage. 

 Any graduates causing a disturbance or in any way conducting themselves inappropriately during the ceremony will be removed. 

 All policies, rules, and regulations of the Cobb County School District and Cobb Horizon High School will be enforced during the rehearsals and ceremony. 

 Commencement is an optional, dignified, solemn ceremony designed to honor all graduates in the Class of 2026. We ask the cooperation of all who attend commencement to make this a dignified ceremony. No individual has the right to disrupt this event. Please refrain from inappropriate noise that might detract from the dignity of the ceremony. 

 All graduates are expected to sign a Commencement Contract that defines expectations and behaviors for the Cobb Horizon/COLA High School ceremony. Signed contracts should be turned in to Ms. Romero in the counseling suite on the 4th floor by May 14. GENERAL INFORMATION  All guests attending commencement, including babies and small children, will need a barcoded ticket to enter the venue. 

 Participation in the commencement ceremony is optional and a privilege. Students must meet all expectations and requirements to participate in the commencement ceremony. 

 Restitution for any damage to the venue, district property, or vendor property will be the responsibility of the graduate(s) and/or audience who cause the damage. 

 Students are identified as honor graduates if they have a minimum, unrounded 3.500 GPA. 

 The School Counseling office will be closed May 11th - May 14th so counselors can verify graduation status for all seniors. A school counselor will contact you if there are any problems with final grades. Students can communicate on an individual basis with their counselor as needed. 

 Seniors will need to request a final transcript if they are planning to attend college. Final transcripts are NOT mailed automatically; students must request that one be sent. The cost is $2.00 per transcript request, paid through MyPaymentsPlus. This may be done any day between May 1 and May 14. 

 If you have any questions, please contact:

Jeff Hutson (Cobb Horizon High School and COLA High School Graduation Administrator) jeff.hutson@cobbk12.org 

Larisa Foster (Cobb Horizon High School and COLA High School Graduation Coordinator) Larisa.foster@cobbk12.org 

Mandy Mooney (Cobb Horizon High School Counseling) Mandy.Mooney@cobbk12.org