KENNESAW MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2026

Commencement Information and Schedule of Activities

Thursday, May 21, 2026, 7:00 PM

Kennesaw State University Convocation Center

It is important that you and your family review the following information carefully.

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.

COMMENCEMENT TICKETS

• Commencement tickets will be distributed at the commencement practice on May 19, 2026.
• Honor Cords will be distributed at commencement practice. Graduates will need to contact club/organization sponsors to confirm additional cord/stole orders.
• All guests attending the commencement, including babies and small children, will need a ticket to enter the venue. 
• A photograph of a ticket (including but not limited to images on a cell phone) may not be substituted for a legitimate ticket.
• Lost or damaged tickets cannot be replaced. 

SENIOR CLEARANCE 

• All fees for lost or damaged textbooks, media materials, parking, classroom instructional equipment, uniforms, or any other materials owed to the school must be cleared by Tuesday, May 12, 2026. 
• Fines must be paid in cash only. 
• All students must be cleared of fines prior to rehearsal. 
• Students with outstanding fees will be prohibited from participating in the commencement ceremony. 

FINAL EXAMS 

• Monday, May 11, 2026 – 3rd and 4th block exams
• Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – 1st and 2nd block exams

COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE

• Monday, May 18, 2026, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM at Kennesaw Mountain High School Gym
• Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM at Kennesaw Mountain High School Gym
  • Cap and gown are required at this rehearsal only. 
  • Commencement tickets will be distributed at this practice. 
• All practices are mandatory.
• Students who are late for ANY practice will not be permitted to attend the practice and must meet with the principal, Mr. Stark.
• Board and school policies (such as tobacco and drug/alcohol use, dress code, etc.) will be in effect.

 COMMENCEMENT ATTIRE 

• 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.
• Dress for graduates will be as follows:
  • Black pants, black shoes, black socks, white dress shirt, and black tie
  • Solid colored black dresses (length no longer than the gown; collars should not show)
  • Black dress slacks or a skirt with a blouse
  • Simple small jewelry (no necklaces), and black dress shoes (no white hosiery and no silver/gold on the shoes)
• Each student must have a current commencement gown with a matching mortarboard and tassel. If you have questions about the items you ordered, please visit www.atlgrad.com or call them at (404) 615-7702. 
• 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. 
• To ensure the ceremony’s decorum and consistency among schools, alterations to the mortarboard and gown will not be permitted.
• Graduates must only wear cords/stoles provided by school organizations; no other cords or stoles will be permitted during the commencement ceremony!

COMMENCEMENT DAY

• The commencement ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM, at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center. 
• Graduates must arrive at KSU and report to the Siegel Recreation Center with their cap, gown, and tassel by 5:00 PM. 
• Doors will open at 6:15 PM for guests. A designated door will open at 6:00 PM for guests with disabilities and guests 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. 
• Following the ceremony, graduates will immediately proceed to the Campus Green for a final class photo.  Family and friends should meet the graduates at the Campus Green.  Upon exiting the Convocation Center through the Atrium, bear to the left to get to the Campus Green.  

PARKING

• KSU charges a $10.00 parking fee per car. Be prepared to pay by credit or debit card upon entering the parking deck or lot.
• Graduates are to park in the Central Parking Deck. Graduates should be encouraged to bring/wear comfortable shoes for walking from the Central Parking Deck to the Siegel Recreation Center (SRC) and the Convocation Center (CC).
• 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 at www.cobbk12.org/graduation). Golf carts will run continuously to convey guests to and from the Convocation Center.

DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION

• Graduates or their enrolling adult will have the opportunity to pick up their diploma in person at the front office during business hours starting May 26, 2026. Please bring photo identification. 

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 may be purchased from district approved vendor(s) at district managed venues.  Sales kiosks will be located in the pre-function areas and/or outside the venue.

BAG CHECKS

• In accordance with Kennesaw State University requirements, all persons entering the Convocation Center must 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.  

KSU requires that all persons entering the facility must submit all bags for inspection by public safety personnel. 

Please see the description provided 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). 
• KSU will only allow for clear, empty water bottles inside of the facility.  These may be refilled at stations inside the venue.  

GENERAL INFORMATION 

• Participation in the commencement ceremony is optional and a privilege. Students must meet all expectations and requirements to participate in the commencement ceremony. 
• All graduates will be expected to sign a contract that defines expectations and behaviors for the Kennesaw Mountain High School ceremony.
• Behavior at the ceremony and practices must be exemplary.  Please understand that disruption and misconduct in any form will not be tolerated.  
• Throwing caps in the Convocation Center is inappropriate, dangerous, and not permitted.  
• Any seniors causing a disturbance or in any way conducting themselves inappropriately during the ceremony will be removed.
• 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. 
• Please remember all graduation requirements must be met to participate in commencement exercises. 
• Remove your gown from the packaging prior to commencement and hang it up so wrinkles will fall out. 
• Lifetouch will take photos as each graduate receives his/her diploma and will make these available for purchase. Parents may not be in the aisles to film or take photographs. The use of tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, or other camera stabilizing devices is not permitted. 
• Students are identified as honor graduates if they have a minimum, unrounded 3.500 GPA. 
• The School Counseling Office will be closed Monday, May 11, through Friday, May 15, so counselors can verify graduation status for all seniors. A school counselor will contact you if there are any problems with final grades. 
• 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. Submit your request by May 22.  Please visit https://kmhs.formstack.com/forms/26finaltranscript to request your transcript. Collegiate athletes, if you also need to send a final transcript to NCAA or NAIA, you must submit your request using this link.
• Seniors need to report scholarship offers at https://kmhs.formstack.com/forms/reportscholarships2026. Please submit all offers received, including those you do not plan to use. This must be completed by April 27.
• Seniors must complete their Graduation Survey in Naviance. This survey will be available to complete around Spring Break. All seniors must complete this to be cleared for graduation. This must be completed by May 1.
• If you have any questions, please contact:  
  • Philip Matthews (Graduation Administrator) at philip.matthews@cobbk12.org  

COMMENCEMENT TIMELINE

For additional information and updates, please check the commencement link on the district web site: www.cobbk12.org/graduation.