SENIORS!  

Senior Picnic

We are looking for donations and volunteers for the Senior Picnic on Wednesday, April 15 from 10:30-12:30. On this day, we do a gift card raffle in the Walton Theater while students are getting their cap and gown and yearbooks. This event happens from 8:30-10:15. Once we leave the theater, the students will converge on Raider Valley (football field) to enjoy the Senior Picnic. Historically, seniors wear shirts from the college that they are attending or Walton gear. This is a great time for students to get pictures, eat and play together. We need volunteers to help make this day work seamlessly. Come help where you can. Please sign up ASAP so that we can fill all of our spots.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4EA9AE2AABFD0-63139918-senior

CCSD Graduation Contract

All commencement participants must complete the CCSD Commencement Contract and return it to their homeroom teacher no later than Friday, May 1. This contract requires a student and parent signature.

***Dr. Brown's homeroom, please return your signed contracts to the Walton Front Office.***

Graduation Information

Below is information that all graduates and their families were emailed on March 25, 2026. You will find that this will answer many of your questions about everything leading up to graduation and then specific of that day

VENUE LOCATION 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

• Tickets are required for all guests, including babies and children.
• Once tickets have been allocated, students and parents/guardians will be able to view the number of tickets received in the Student Portal. 
• Physical commencement tickets will be distributed to students during the second day of commencement practice.
• Each ticket will have a unique barcode and will be valid only for the ceremony, date, and time shown on the ticket. Lost or damaged tickets cannot be replaced. Once a ticket is scanned for entry into the venue, it is no longer valid. A guest cannot re-use a ticket for further entry.
• A photograph of a ticket (including but not limited to images on a cell phone) may not be substituted for a legitimate ticket.
• Additionally, the Cobb County School District will provide a live webcast of the commencement ceremony that will be available via the district website at www.cobbk12.org/graduation.

SENIOR CLEARANCE

Participation in the commencement ceremony is not mandatory. Students must meet all expectations and requirements in order to participate.

• The student must meet all requirements for graduation before the diploma will be granted.  
• All required courses must be successfully completed by Wednesday, May 20, 2026, or the student will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony with this class. 
• All financial obligations, including payment for lost textbooks, parking fines, etc., must be cleared before final grades can be given and before the senior will be allowed to participate in commencement.   
• All graduates will be expected to sign a contract that defines expectations and behaviors for the Walton High School ceremony.

 FINAL EXAMS

• Monday, May 11                         Periods 5, 6, & 7
• Tuesday, May 12                         Periods 3 & 4
• Wednesday, May 13                   Periods 1 & 2
• These are regular school days and exams will be given in the regularly scheduled class period.

COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE

• Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19 at 12:45 PM in the Walton Gymnasium
• Attendance at both commencement practices is mandatory for participation in the commencement ceremony. Seniors must stay for the entire practice. Students who are employed or have other obligations are expected to make arrangements in advance in order to attend commencement practice.
• No food or drink will be allowed at practice.
• Cobb County School District and Walton High School policies and regulations that govern all school activities will be followed. The dress code will be in effect.
• Seniors should park in their assigned spaces and plan to arrive inside the gym by 12:30 PM.
• Seniors will report directly to their homeroom teacher or assigned staff member.
• Practices will last approximately 2 hours, but the length of each practice may vary based on student cooperation. 
• Students with outstanding financial obligations will not be allowed to participate.

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.
• Caps and gowns must be worn by graduating seniors. Commencement announcements, caps, and gowns will be distributed on April 15. If you have questions concerning the items you have ordered, call AtlGrad directly at (770) 314-9086.
• Remove your gown from the packaging prior to commencement and hang it up so the wrinkles will fall out. Use a cool iron to press, if necessary. Do not hem your gown.
• Only those in proper attire will be allowed in the processional.
• Flowers and large pieces of jewelry are not appropriate with commencement gowns. To ensure the decorum of the ceremony, alterations to the mortarboard and gown will not be permitted. Graduates may only wear stoles, cords, and other insignia authorized by the school.
• 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.

 COMMENCEMENT DAY

• Sunday, May 24, 2026, 3:00 PM – Kennesaw State University Convocation Center
• Students will report to the Siegel Recreation Center by 1:30 PM dressed and ready to be lined up. Students will not have access to storage for personal items.
• Doors will open at 2:15 PM for guests.  
• A designated door will open at 2:00 PM for guests with disabilities and elderly guests requiring individualized assistance.   Early admission will be granted to the person requiring assistance and one (1) ticketed companion only.
• At the conclusion of the ceremony, parents and guests are to remain in their seats. You should pre-arrange to meet at the Campus Green in front of the Convocation Center for family gatherings and photographs.
• Caps may not be thrown in the Convocation Center.

 CONDUCT OF GRADUATES AND GUESTS

• Commencement is an optional, dignified, formal ceremony for graduating seniors, their families, and guests.  Students who do not meet the level of expected behavior during the ceremony can be removed from the venue and not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
• We ask the cooperation of all that attend the commencement ceremony to help make it the formal ceremony it is meant to be.   Please refrain from any inappropriate noises that will detract from the dignity of the ceremony.  
• Since this ceremony is an official function of Walton High School, all Cobb County School District and Walton High School policies, rules, and regulations are in effect.

 PARKING

• KSU charges a $10.00 parking fee per car to be paid by credit card upon entering the parking deck or lot. Cash will not be accepted. There will not be an option for guests to pre-pay parking fees.

• Graduates are to park in the Central Parking Deck. Graduates should 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). Golf carts will run continuously to convey guests to and from the Convocation Center.

• Graduates and their guests cannot interfere with traffic flow to drop off family and friends.

DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION

• Diplomas will be distributed at Walton High School in the front office throughout the summer beginning, Tuesday, May 26 during office hours. 

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 CADY Studios to take an individual photograph of each graduate.  These will be available to view and purchase after commencement. Parents and graduates must deal directly with the vendor to receive these products.

VIDEO SALES

Videos will be offered for sale through the commencement information page on the district website.  Please check www.cobbk12.org/graduation for more details.

FLOWER/GIFT SALES

Flowers and graduation gifts will be available for purchase in the 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 must pass through metal detection devices. Also, guests entering the Convocation Center with a bag MUST use either a CLEAR TOTE, PLASTIC ZIP TOP BAG, or SMALL CLUTCH to be approved for entry into the venue. All bags and packages are subject to inspection by public safety personnel.  Please do not bring any packages that cannot be opened or inspected. Also, please allow extra time for entry as there may be delays.

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). Only clear, empty water bottles will be allowed in the Convocation Center. These may be filled at water stations inside the venue.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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. 
• Students are identified as honor graduates if they have a minimum, unrounded 3.500 GPA.
• 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.
• If you have any questions, please contact Chris Whittington (Graduation Administrator) at christopher.whittington@cobbk12.org. 

COMMENCEMENT TIMELINE

• Week of March 30: Graduation contract sent to students by email
• Wednesday, April 15: Senior Picnic, Yearbook, and Cap/Gown distribution
• Monday, May 11: Final exams for periods 5, 6 & 7
• Tuesday, May 12: Final exams for periods 3 & 4
• Wednesday, May 13: Final exams for periods 1 & 2
• Wednesday, May 20: Deadline for senior clearance (completing courses, paying outstanding fines)
• Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19: Commencement Practice at 12:45 PM in the Walton Gymnasium (students will receive tickets, final report cards, and any cords and stoles).
• Sunday, May 24: Commencement at 3:00 PM. Students should arrive at the Siegel Recreation Center by 1:30 PM.
• Diplomas will not be handed out at graduation. Students will need to come to Walton beginning on Tuesday, May 26, during regular school hours to collect their diploma. Diplomas will be available throughout the summer for distribution if this date does not work with the student’s schedule.

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

The county will release ticket numbers to graduates on April 1, 2026.

GRADUATION TICKET REQUEST
 

Please see the information below regarding the Graduation Ticket Request window, which closes at 3:00 PM, on Friday, February 25. This deadline is set by the Cobb County School District and cannot be extended. Please be sure that you and/or your graduation senior have completed this process prior to the deadline. Students can log back into the Student Portal to check their request or to make any necessary changes, prior to the deadline. See below for more information about this process and reference the attached directions, as needed. 

Graduation Ticket Requests - Due Wednesday, February 25!

The graduation ticket request window is still open, through Wednesday, February 25, via the Student Portal. Directions for completing the ticket request are attached to this message. The number of tickets you are requesting may be edited at any time until the deadline. Requests for tickets cannot be edited after the deadline and will be final. Any graduating senior that does not complete the ticket request will receive a maximum of two (2) tickets.

Please understand that you will be provided as many tickets as possible within the number requested, but that you are NOT guaranteed the full number of guest tickets that are requested. The Cobb County School District will inform schools about the number of tickets assigned to each graduate in March 2026. Also, the graduating senior must be participating in the ceremony to receive tickets to the ceremony.

Student-Portal-Commencement-Tickets-Request

Order your Cap and Gown NOW!-

Deadline is Monday, December 1  

Click on the image on the left for details and how to order your cap and gown and other senior swag!

https://atlgrad.com/

SENIORS

Walton Class of 2026

Official Information from the yearbook staff

Purchasing a Yearbook

PERSONALIZE your student's yearbook with his/her name and get the best deal by purchasing early! Last year, we SOLD OUT of yearbooks before distribution day! You can buy yearbooks by following this link, or VISIT YEARBOOKORDERCENTER.COM AND USE ORDER NUMBER 26620.

TRIBUTES

The order form for tributes is available now on the Varsity Yearbooks web site. VISIT YEARBOOKORDERCENTER.COM AND USE ORDER NUMBER 26620. The forms, pictures, and checks for tributes will not be accepted at Walton. You can create and pay for your tribute online. The final deadline for tribute ads is October 31, 2025 at 11:59pm. 

SENIOR PICTURES

Seniors may submit a formal, casual, and baby picture for the yearbook. Please follow the steps outlined below to make sure your pictures are included in the book. Formal, casual, and baby photos are due by November 21st. This is a hard deadline. You will not be included in the book if you do not submit photos by November 21st.

Formal

Photos may be submitted either by the student using a private photographer or by using Walton’s official school photographer, CADY. They must be professional photos to be included in the formal section. We prefer that you use CADY for the formal picture. Using Cady is the only way your photo will be changed in ParentVue/StudentVue, and it is the only way you will get a student ID. If you use CADY, the cost for the simple session (basic package) is $29 to Cady when you book your session to take the formal for the yearbook. If you want the basic package, do not select any of the extra options. You do not have to purchase pictures for CADY to submit the yearbook photo to me, and you can still use your private photographer for your own photos if you wish. If you use a private photographer, please ask the photographer to submit the picture to the yearbook by uploading the picture directly to the website given below. To be included in the formal section, pictures must be taken in the traditional drape or tux/suit with a blue background. To sign up for a session with CADY, please go to cady.com/schedule. If you have any questions or trouble scheduling, please feel free to call CADY directly at 678-722-3449.

Casual

You may choose to have casual pictures taken by a photographer of your choice or CADY. However, you do not have to use a professional photo for your casual photo. I would recommend not choosing a full body shot. Due to the size of the picture in the yearbook, it will be hard to really see your senior’s face. Only submit one photo. Please turn in the picture directly to Walton via the methods described below.

Baby Pictures

Baby pictures should be uploaded directly to the yearbook using the instructions below. The baby picture will NOT be included in the yearbook if the student does not also submit a casual picture.

Submitting Photos

Go https://www.hjeshare.com/ and enter code 26620. You will then be able to upload your student’s formal, casual, and baby pictures by clicking on upload portrait. Please only submit one photo for each category. You do not need to upload any pictures from CADY. They will send them directly to us. Only upload photos if you do not want to use the CADY photo. Pictures cannot be accepted via email.

If you have any questions, please contact Kaitlin Mason, yearbook advisor, at Kaitlin.Mason@cobbk12.org

CADY Studios Senior Pictures

We are excited to partner with CADY to capture this milestone. We believe in celebrating this achievement by taking more than a yearbook photo. Step into an immersive experience at our state-of-the-art studios; featuring cutting edge camera technology and backgrounds, hype music, and encouraging staff. Bring your loved ones, your pets, and props to create portraits that are authentic to you. Photography at destinations of your choice to quick and easy Yearbook Only sessions, there’s a session for everyone. You can select your photo to be included in the yearbook if you are photographed before your deadline date.

The best times book fast, so sign up today to get started!

Visit cady.com/schedule or Click Here to Sign Up

Click Here to see the CADY Studios flyer for more information about booking your senior picture.

If you have any questions visit our FAQ at cady.com/contact or live chat with us. You can also call us directly at 678.534.5384. We can’t wait to see you, Class of 2026!