Senior Information
SAVE THE DATES
- Senior Information Meeting - Tuesday, November 19th - 4th hour in the Theater
- Graduation Orders Due To Midwest Scholastic - Tuesday, December 3rd
- Senior Yearbook Tribute Ads Due - Friday, December 13th
- Senior Fair (cap/gown distribution) - Friday, May 9th, Spec Gym
- Senior Scholarship Recognition - Wednesday, June 4th, 6:00pm, Theater
- Senior Brunch & Awards - Friday, June 6th, 8:15am, Theater & Cafeteria
- Rehearsal & Class Photo - Wednesday, June 11th, 12:00pm, Field House
- Graduation Commencement Ceremony - Friday, June 13th, 5:00pm, Kohl Center
Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal & Senior Class Photo
All Seniors should attend the Graduation Ceremony Rehearsal and Senior Class Photo (in their gowns - stoles will be distributed at the rehearsal) on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 at 12:00pm in the Field House at East High School. Seniors can order a Senior Class Photo directly from Empire Photography. Empire will send proofs and ordering information to Seniors and their families after the photo.
Graduation - Class of 2025
Commencement Ceremony
The East High School Commencement Ceremony will take place at the the University of Wisconsin Kohl Center at 601 W Dayton St on Friday, June 13th, 2025 at 5:00pm. (Map)
- Seating/Entrance: Family and guest seating is first come first serve, tickets are not required and there is no limit on the number of guests per graduate. Doors open for graduates, families and guests at 4:00pm. Graduates should be at the Kohl Center no later than 4:30pm in the required graduation attire. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited.
- Participation Eligibility: A senior with 20.5 credits earned may participate in the Commencement Ceremony with the understanding that graduation will not officially occur until 22 credits have been earned. Students having earned less than 20.5 credits will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Before a student is issued a diploma, School Counselors must verify that they have met all graduation requirements. School Counselors will be working closely with teachers to make sure students are passing and will reach out to students/families that are in danger of not passing a course required to graduate. If you have any questions or concerns about credits, please see your counselor to get clarification as soon as possible.
- Graduate Attire: 4 items are required to be worn for the Commencement Ceremony: Gown, Stole, Cap, Tassel. Stoles will be distributed to all graduates at the rehearsal in June. There are no pockets in the gowns, so students should leave ALL valuables, money, cell phones, purses, wallets, etc. with family or friends. Graduates who borrow attire from the school can return it to East staff at the Kohl Center at diploma pick-up. Graduates can also keep their items over the weekend for photos and return the items to East's in-person the following week.
- Prohibited Items: Note that metal detectors will be in place at the Kohl Center. The following items are not allowed at the venue: Bags larger than 8.5″ x 11″, inflatables (including balloons), noise makers, glass vases, food, beverages, containers, drones, laptops, video recorders, monopods, tripods, selfie-sticks, laser pointers, weapons, banners, flags, signs, noisemakers, inflatables, strollers, or any items deemed dangerous or inappropriate..
- Accessibility: The ceremony will be fully accessible including American Sign Language Interpretation (located near section 121), closed captioning and wheelchair and wheelchair companion seating scattered through the main level concourse (100 level) and the upper level (200 level). The top two rows of chairs in the 100 level will be reserved for those that can handle some chairs, and the Kohl Center will also have ADA platforms that will allow those individuals with wheelchairs. For any guests that need elevator assistance, they will need to use the one that is located at Gate A. The drop-off location for the Kohl Center is on Dayton Street directly in front of the building at Gate A. Guest services personnel will have wheelchairs available for transportation from the Dayton Street drop-off location to the Kohl Center seating area. Wheelchairs are for transportation purposes only and cannot be used for patron seating during the ceremony. Anyone in need of wheelchair services can call Guest Services at 608-263-5645 on the day of the ceremony. Visit the Kohl Center's Accessibility Website for more information.
- Parking: Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited. Visit UW's Event Parking website for more information. Please plan ahead for altered traffic patterns due to construction and time to walk.
- Photography: Audience members are not allowed on the main floor before, during or after the ceremony. Empire Photography will capture multiple angles of each graduate, including when they receive their diploma at the commencement ceremony. To ensure easy access and order graduate's photos after the ceremony, please pre-register at www.empirephotos.com/MadisonEHS30. Pre-registering helps properly identify each graduate and deliver proofs to families as quickly as possible after the ceremony.
- Video: The ceremony will be livestreamed on the MMSD YouTube page and archived for play back afterwards.
- Post-Ceremony and Diploma Pick-Up: Diplomas will be distributed after the commencement ceremony at the Kohl Center where students lined up to those students who have successfully completed all graduation requirements. Family members and guests will not be allowed in the diploma pick-up area. Graduates will exit the Kohl Center immediately after diploma pick-up. Family and friends of graduates should meet and celebrate with students in front of the Kohl Center at the main entrance at Gate A. Diplomas that are not picked up that evening will be mailed to graduate's primary address in Infinite Campus by Friday, June 20th.
Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal & Senior Class Photo
All Seniors should attend the Graduation Ceremony Rehearsal and Senior Class Photo (in their gowns - stoles will be distributed at the rehearsal) on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 at 12:00pm in the Field House at East High School. Seniors can order a Senior Class Photo directly from Empire Photography. Empire will send proofs and ordering information to Seniors and their families after the photo.
Graduate Ceremony Apparel
4 items are required to participate in the Class of 2025 Graduation Commencement Ceremony: a cap, gown, tassel, and stole. Ordering packets were distributed to Seniors during 4th hour on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 (November Senior Communication). Orders were due on Tuesday, December 3rd. Extra paper order forms are available in the Olbrich Neighborhood Office (Rm 2330).
The direct link to order just the 4 required items online is here.
The link to order additional items (class rings, ceremony announcements, etc) or packages that include additional items is here.
Order and payments must be made directly with Midwest Scholastic, East High School will NOT accept payments.
ALL QUESTIONS ABOUT ORDERS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED DIRECTLY TO MIDWEST SCHOLASTIC at questions@mwscholastic.com.
The gold satin stoles will be distributed at the rehearsal/class photo in June.
Students may use caps, gowns, and stoles from East alumni and purchase tassels ala cart, if desired. Students who may need to borrow a cap and gown package should connect with their Neighborhood Principal, School Counselor, School Social Worker or other Student Services Staff. Seniors who borrow attire from the school can return it to staff at graduation after the ceremony to receive their diploma. Seniors can also keep their items over the weekend for photos and return the items the following week to receive their diploma.
Students will be allowed to adorn their sashes with pins that signify an accomplishment they achieved during high school (e.g. AVID, PEOPLE, TEEM Scholars, Early College STEM Academy Graduates, etc). Stoles for MMSD programs such as BSU and other MMSD clubs/programs can also be worn with building principal approval, but the school stole must be laid over any other being worn. It is preferred that students don't decorate their caps; however, if students choose to do so, if the decorations become a disruption to the ceremony, the student's cap will be taken and returned at the end of the ceremony. A student has the right to wear religious, ceremonial, or cultural adornments at graduation as long as it is not likely to cause a substantial disruption of, or interference with, the ceremony.
Chromebook Return & Google Account Transfer
Seniors must turn in their Chromebook and charger to Ms. Milne-Carroll in the LMC by Wednesday, June 11th. Student MMSD Google Accounts (including Google Drive and Gmail) will be shut down soon after graduation. Seniors should follow the "Saving MMSD Google Items" instructions.
Seniors should email or share any items they wish to save with their personal account and then promptly make a copy and transfer ownership.
Final Transcripts
All colleges and universities require a final transcript to be submitted after 2nd semester grades are submitted and finalized. Students are responsible for sending their final transcript to the college or university they will be attending through their established Parchment Account. Students should go to parchment.com to request a final transcript. This electronic service allows you to order transcripts online at any time and track the status of requested transcripts.
Here are the Steps for Sending Final Transcripts:
Students need to send final transcripts through Parchment.com
1) Log in to your Parchment.com Account (you can retrieve user name or password, if you have forgotten these)
2) Click on Order
3) Type in the name of the School you will be attending
4) Switch where it says "send now" to "Hold for Grades"
5) Click continue and submit payment.
- Students who haven't used their 4 free transcripts will not be charged.
- Students who have already used their waivers will be charged $4.40 (need a credit/debit card to pay)
Transcripts will then be released by our registrar once final transcripts have been updated which usually takes place around June 15.
Celebrations - Class of 2025
Senior Fair
Seniors will visit the Senior Fair in the Spec Gym at East High School with their English class throughout the day on Friday, May 9th, 2025 to fill out their name reader card for the ceremony, sign up for Summer Melt, ensure they completed the Post High Survey App and Civics Exam Graduation Requirement, receive their yard sign (at the end of the day at Door #2), and receive their cap/gown/stole/tassel from Midwest Scholastic.
Senior Scholarship Recognition
Seniors receiving East High School scholarships will be recognized in the Theater on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 at 6:00pm. Seniors and their families are invited to attend the recognition ceremony.
Senior Brunch & Awards
On Friday, June 6th, 2025 all Seniors are invited to the Theater at 8:15am for Senior Awards, followed by a brunch in the Cafeteria. Yearbooks will be distributed to Seniors who purchased them during the brunch. This event is for students only.
Class of 2025 Senior Portraits
Seniors have the option to submit a portrait to be featured in the yearbook instead of using their LifeTouch photo taken at school. Please be aware that many seniors have family or friends take their photos for free; some are taken with phones. Please do not spend large amounts of money for professional photos.
Deadline: Friday, November 8, 2024
Submission Instructions: Email portraits meeting the below criteria as an attachment to aLvanBuren@madison.k12.wi.us with the student's name and student ID number. Photos should be:
- Vertical (at least 4”X 6”)
- Without props, face-covering filters or complicated backgrounds
- Follow MMSD dress code
- A high resolution digital image (at 300 ppi/dpi)
- In file format of: .JPG, TIFF, PNG or PDF
- Do not send screenshots or Snapchat photos - they do not print well even though they often look great on a computer or phone screen.
Class of 2025 Senior Tributes
Purchasing a Senior Tribute is a great way to honor graduates, or group of graduates (such as a soccer team, group of best friends etc.) with photos and a special message in the Yearbook that will last a lifetime. Four sizes are available:
- 1/8 page tribute, $35, max 1 pictures allowed, max 20 words allowed
- 1/4 page tribute, $60, max 3 pictures allowed, max 50 words allowed
- 1/2 page tribute, $110, max 6 pictures allowed, max 125 words allowed
- Full page tribute, $220, max 10 pictures allowed, max 175 words allowed
Payment options available.
Deadline: Friday, December 13, 2024
Submission Instructions (3 options):
- Order online at https://yearbookforever.com/ & have the yearbook staff design the ad for you. (Confused? Watch the first 45 sec. of this how-to video; select “have the school design my ad”)
- Order online at https://yearbookforever.com/ & design the tribute with our easy online design tools. (Confused? Watch this 2 min. how-to video)
Contact
Please contact Ms. April van Buren, the yearbook adviser with any questions or concerns.
Class of 2025 Google Classroom
Join the Class of 2025 Google Classroom (code: fempnmw) for regular updates and seniors communications.