Arizona School District Makes Plans For High School Graduation

While gathering restrictions are still in place to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, some Arizona high schools are creating plans to host graduations.

Peoria, Dysart and Deer Valley unified school districts were some of the first to announce plans for in-person graduation ceremonies.

Those plans would only happen if state social gathering restrictions are lifted.

On March 30, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman announced the remainder of the school year was canceled.

Here’s a list of Arizona school districts that have announced tentative plans for high school graduations:

Peoria Unified High School District – Graduations would take place at State Farm Stadium. Centennial, Sunrise Mountain, Raymond S. Kellis and Ironwood would have their graduations on June 26. Peoria, Liberty and Cactus would hold graduations June 27.

Dysart Unified School District – June 30 at State Farm Stadium. Dysart Unified includes Dysart, Shadow Ridge, Valley Vista and Willow Canyon.

Deer Valley Unified School District – Boulder Creek and Mountain Ridge would hold graduation on July 2 while Barry Goldwater, Sandra Day O’Connor and Deer Valley would take place on July 3. According to their website, there would be a two-ticket limit per student, but they would also live stream the event.

Tolleson Union High School District – June 29 at State Farm Stadium. Tolleson Union includes La Joya Community, Westview, Sierra Linda, Copper Canyon and Tolleson/University.

Agua Fria Union High School District – July 1 at State Farm Stadium. Agua Fria Union includes Agua Fria, Canyon View, Desert Edge, Millennium and Verrado.

Glendale Union High School District – GUHSD is currently looking for a venue to hold an in-person graduation after restrictions are lifted. They are also considering hosting graduations at the schools after restrictions are lifted.

Phoenix Union High School District – The district will hold drive-up graduation ceremonies at respective high schools during previously scheduled times during the week of May 18. The district is also looking into hosting an in-person graduation in June or July.

Scottsdale Unified School District – All high school graduations have been postponed for Arcadia, Chaparral, Coronado, Desert Mountain and Saguaro until it is safe to have an in-person ceremony. The district will hold a video tribute on May 21.

Tempe Union School District — The district will hold a virtual ceremony for Compadre Academy on May 20 and for its six comprehensive high schools on May 21. The district is also making plans for an in-person ceremony to take place July 18.

Chandler Unified School District — The district is formulating a plan to conduct an optional, in-person graduation for each high school that follows social distancing guidelines. The goal is to do it by the first week of June. The district plans to have virtual ceremonies regardless, with more information to come.

Buckeye Union High School District – The district plans to hold a graduation at Phoenix Raceway on May 16. Graduates and their families will cross the start/finish line at the raceway while having their names called out. Buckeye Union’s ceremony will start at 10 a.m., Youngker will begin at 1 p.m. and Estrella Foothills will begin at 4 p.m.

American Leadership Academy—The district’s high schools have shifted to a virtual format. Queen Creek (May 19), Gilbert North (May 20) and Ironwood(May 21) high schools’ graduations will each take place a 7:30 p.m. on their respective days.

Casa Grande Union High School District – The school district is planning to host virtual graduations for its schools. CGHSD is home to Casa Grande Union and Vista Grande.