Graduation Information

Sandia Class of 2026

Dear Class of 2026 Graduating Seniors,

Please read all the following important information and please join the Senior Google Classroom (code: byh5egik) to stay current and receive updates of Senior events from the Activities Office!

Calendar of Events

Mark your calendars! And…PLEASE - Be on time for ALL events!!!
*All events subject to change pending NM and APS direction.

Senior Parking Lot Painting	Saturday, August 9, 2025 @ Senior Lot *Enter through tech lot gate with required paperwork
Senior Sunrise & Group Picture	Saturday, August 15, 2025 6 a.m.  @ SHS Soccer Field
Cap & Gown Senior Meeting	Monday, August 18, 2025 during Advisory in Main Gym
Senior Saturday Ordering Event	September 13 @ Campus Specialties
Senior Class Picture	Monday, November 17, 2025 morning before Advisory in Main Gym
White Cap Ordering	December 1-December 12, 2025 @ Activities Office
Senior Picture deadline to principal for slideshow	Friday, May 1, 2026   *Email to: gonzales_cam@aps.edu
Cap & Gown & Senior Sign Distribution	Tuesday, May 12, 2026 3-5 p.m. @ Room B-9/Commons *All seniors must attend this and present the “ALL CLEAR" slip
Grad Walk	May 14 or 15, 2026     *Morning event at elementary and middle schools/limited space/sign-ups in April 2026  *Wear your red cap or decorated white cap and gown and awards!
Senior Sunset	Friday, May 15, 2026 6 p.m. @ SHS baseball field
Mandatory Assembly Rehearsal	Tuesday, May 19, 2026 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. @ SHS Main Gym *Students only/no parents required/casual clothes
Mandatory Senior Robing Assembly	Tuesday, May 19, 2026 6 p.m. @ SHS Main Gym *Nice clothing, red cap or decorated white cap and gown and awards! *Seniors arrive in Commons by 5 p.m.
Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal	Wednesday, May 20, 2026     11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. @ SHS Main Gym *Students only/no parents required/casual clothes *If you DO NOT attend the Senior Rehearsals & Assembly, you will NOT have a seat at Graduation.
Graduation	Thursday, May 21, 2026    6:30 p.m.  @ Tingley Coliseum *Seniors must arrive by 4:15 p.m.  *There is a $5.00 parking fee at the fairgrounds. Students, please enter through Gate 8

Notes for Graduating Seniors

• Textbook return:
  • Seniors are responsible for returning books/computers directly to the bookroom.
• Fines:
  • It is your responsibility to clear all fines prior to picking up your cap and gown.  Cap and gown will NOT be issued if you are carrying any fines.
• Non-Participating Seniors:
  • Those not participating in the commencement ceremony may pick up their diploma in the registrar’s office starting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

About the Senior Assembly and Graduation

Expected/Required Dress for Senior Assembly and Graduation

• Dress, Skirt, or Dress Pants -any color:  dresses and skirts not longer than “tea-length”.
• Light colored (white preferred) dress shirt and Tie
• Dark Slacks (black preferred) NO JEANS!
• Dark dress shoes or dress boots with hard sole; A sensible walking heel is advised. 
• NO ATHLETIC SHOES or Flip-Flops!

Senior Assembly (Academic Stole/Robing Ceremony)

This exercise will be done during the Senior Assembly.  Each senior/graduate will have one significant person of his or her choosing (an important adult in your life) seated in his or her chair on the gym floor.  The significant person should place the cap and gown on the senior and then leave the gym floor. The person that will present your cap and gown must be in the gym, sitting in your chair BY 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Family Seating will be available in the bleachers.  

*You may wear your white “decorated” cap at this event!

Graduation Ceremony Cap and Gown Attire

Red Gown with Blue Stole (worn with longer portion down the back), Red “mortarboard” cap (worn flat on head, parallel to the floor-NOT on back on head), and tassel. Gowns must be zipped up during graduation ceremony.  

Please do not alter the red cap or gown.  No decorations, adornments, or slogans of any type are allowed on cap or gown, including but not limited to flowers, leis, buttons, balloons, signs, sayings, decals, stickers, etc.

ONLY APS approved academic honor cords or senior awards are allowed to be worn with the cap and gown.   

What NOT to Bring to Graduation

ALL seniors will be “screened” as they enter Tingley Coliseum. No bags, purses, cameras, cell phones, food, drinks, beach balls, inflatable items, etc. are allowed past the “Student Entrance”.  Please be prepared to secure all items (especially cell phones) outside of Tingley Coliseum.  Please leave these items secure with family member or guest. Do not bring them in!  

All graduates planning on participating in the graduation ceremony will be required to open (unzip) gown, walk through a metal detector, and prove that no unauthorized items are being brought into Tingley Coliseum.  Please understand any seniors carrying any unauthorized items will be turned away at the entrance.