Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremonies

High school graduation is a milestone achievement for students, families and staff. It signifies hard work, dedication and perseverance.

Newport News Public Schools' commencement festivities will be held at the Ferguson Center for the Arts and the Hampton Coliseum, continuing the time-honored traditions of celebrating the successes of our graduates.

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Livestream

Graduation Livestream and Broadcast
Newport News Public Schools High School Graduations will be livestreamed on the Telecommunications Center's student YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/nnpstelecom.  Following the live ceremony, the video will be available for viewing on demand.  NNPS-TV will air the graduation ceremonies throughout the summer.

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Commencement Information

Tickets
Each graduate will receive tickets for their guests. Tickets are required for all guests age four-years-old and over. Guests without tickets will not be permitted to enter the Ferguson Center or the Coliseum.

All guests must enter the Ferguson Center through the main entrance and the Coliseum through the front lobby entrance facing the water fountain.

Attire
Commencement is a formal academic occasion, graduates must wear their cap and gown (and school division issued stoles and cords) to participate in the ceremony. Decorated caps are not permitted. Graduates are encouraged to dress in dark dress pants or skirts/dresses with white or light shirts or blouses and dark shoes. Graduates are not permitted to wear sneakers or athletic shoes.

Appropriate attire is required for guests. Admission will be denied to adult guests dressed in t-shirts or shorts.  

Prohibited Items
Balloons, banners, signs, flowers, wrapped gifts, noisemakers and baby strollers are not permitted inside the Ferguson Center or the Hampton Coliseum; guests must secure these items in their vehicle.

Reporting Time
Graduates are asked to arrive at the Ferguson Center or the Hampton Coliseum 1 hour before their scheduled commencement time. Both venues will open for guest seating 1.5 hours before the commencement ceremony.

Seating at the Ferguson Center
Guests will be seated in the Diamonstein Concert Hall. The Ferguson Center has wheelchair accessible, limited mobility and companion seating in various locations throughout the venue. Accessible seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guests are asked to refrain from holding or reserving seats.

Seating at the Hampton Coliseum
Guests will be seated in the loge section, located on the upper level. The Coliseum provides a Handi-ride vehicle to transport guests who need accessible seating up the outside ramp to the upper level.
A limited number of accessible seats are available for guests with disabilities in the floor section, located on the lower level. One guest may accompany the person in need of accessible floor seating.

Guests are asked to refrain from holding or reserving seats.

Photographs
A professional photographer will take a picture of the graduates as they walk across the stage. The photos will be available for purchase following the graduation ceremony. Graduates and families will receive information about purchasing pictures from their high school.

Guests are asked to take photos of their graduates from their seats. No guests are permitted to approach the stage or move into the aisle to take pictures. 

Safety is Paramount
The commencement exercise is a formal academic ceremony. Our graduates have worked hard for this day, and NNPS leaders are committed to hosting a memorable occasion. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of graduates and guests, all attendees will proceed through a security check upon entering the Ferguson Center and the Hampton Coliseum. Weapons and pocket knives are not allowed in the Ferguson Center or the Hampton Coliseum.