Senior Year & Commencement Info
Class of 2025 Senior Celebrations & Important Dates
Commencement
Commencement will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 6 p.m., at the Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University. The ceremony will last approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. Graduates will meet at the high school and take one-way buses to the Wolstein Center. As you plan for this special evening, please be sure to allow ample time to meet your graduate after the ceremony and exit the vicinity.
The only purchase necessary for our Commencement ceremony is the cap & gown for $31.50, this includes the tassel as well. It is not necessary to order the Keepsake Tassel, which is an additional cost. In years past, boys wore red caps & gowns and girls wore white caps & gowns. However, students may choose to wear either color, red or white, to the Commencement ceremony. Jostens offers many other keepsake items and packages (graduation announcements, class rings, etc.). Be sure to order any extra items soon, so your purchases are delivered in a timely manner. All caps, gowns, and other graduation items must be purchased online this year. Caps and gowns will be distributed at our annual graduation fair, Passport to Commencement, which is held the week before Commencement.
Planning Ahead
- Seniors will receive guest tickets for the Commencement ceremony along with their caps & gowns at Passport to Commencement, our annual graduation fair that occurs in late May or early June.
- We anticipate providing each graduate with 10 guest tickets for Commencement. A form to request extra tickets will be available at a later date.
- Special-needs seating will be available for those who have disabilities or are unable to climb steps. Access to these seats will be first-come, first-served on June 4.
- Graduates will receive a diploma cover when they walk the stage on June 4. The actual diploma can be picked up at the high school beginning the afternoon of Thursday, June 5.
- All student fees and fines must be paid before receiving the actual diploma.
Save the Dates
Friday, May 2
Stadium Day
This day includes Senior Project Check-Out, food and B&W Photo Shoots.
Monday, May 5
Senior Project Begins
For more information on Senior Project, visit the Senior Project webpage.
Saturday, May 17
Senior Prom
Prom takes place at House of Blues, 8-11:30 p.m. Information about purchasing tickets will be posted soon.
After Prom*
After Prom takes place 11:30 p.m.-3:30 a.m. at St. Dominic’s Church, 3450 Norwood Road in Shaker Heights. After Prom will have food, DJ, raffles, casino games, airbrush tattoo artists, caricature artist, and more. Cost is $10 per attendee. Check back soon for the promise form and sign up.
Wednesday, May 28
Senior Clap Out at Elementary Schools*
During this free event, 11 a.m.-1p.m., seniors will be provided a cap and gown for clap out and may return to any of the five elementary schools to be celebrated by teachers and current students. Check back for the signup form.
Thursday, May 29
Senior Project Showcase
Shaker parents, teachers, staff, and community members are invited to evaluate Senior Project presentations on Thursday, May 29. This role can take as little as 20 minutes or as much as an hour, depending on how much time you can give. Learn more at bit.ly/SeniorProject2025.
Friday, May 30
Senior Cedar Point Trip
The Cedar Point Senior Trip is Friday, May 30. Check back soon for more information regarding the trip and to purchase tickets by Sunday, May 4.
Monday, June 2
Passport to Commencement
This is a required event for Seniors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seniors will receive Commencement tickets (each student receives 10), pick up caps and gowns, and complete other check-out activities. Students who can’t attend, or are not cleared yet for graduation, may attend a makeup day to be announced at a later date. Both events take place in the North Gym of the High School. Students will be emailed an assigned time to arrive in the North Gym to complete the required stations. Students must be cleared to graduate by their counselors to attend. A makeup date for those who can't attend on June 2 will be held on June 3.
Wednesday, June 4
Commencement
The Commencement ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at the Bert L. & Iris S. Wolstein Center on the Cleveland State University campus. The address is 2000 Prospect Ave. Additional information about Commencement can be found above.
Thursday, June 5
Diploma Pick-Up
Graduates will receive diploma covers at the Commencement ceremony. The actual diplomas can be picked up at Shaker Heights High School beginning at 12 p.m. (noon) on Thursday, June 5 (the day after Commencement). All fees and fines must be paid and Shaker materials returned before receiving the actual diploma.
*Visit shakerpto.org/seniors to learn more about these incredible traditions. Questions? Email shhsptopres2@gmail.com.
Contact Info
Shaker Heights High School
Isaiah Wyatt, Principal
Laurie Brem, Admin. Assistant
15911 Aldersyde Drive
Shaker Heights, OH 44120
(216) 295-4200
(216) 295-4203 (attendance)
(216) 295-4277 (fax)