Seniors

Centennial High School Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony Program

 

Centennial Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony Live Stream

Senior Spring Town Hall

March 24, 2026 

 

Greetings to the Centennial Graduating Class of 2026 and their Families:  

 

We are now halfway through the final semester of your student’s senior year. As we approach graduation, this letter provides up-to-date information about the conclusion of your student’s high school career. Congratulations! It is crucial that you read this letter and thoroughly understand what is expected in the coming months. 

Leading up to Graduation:  

All seniors must complete the following online activities as part of high school. Failure to complete these required tasks can delay participation in graduation activities: 

Task #1: Senior Exit Survey – Deadline: April 15, 2026, The survey is completed through the student’s School Links account and will be available before or after Spring break. Fulton County Schools require all seniors to complete a survey about their post-secondary plans. School Links accessed via Classlink. From your School Link student homepage, scroll down to the section “Important To-Dos and Tasks” and click the task “Class of 2026 Senior Exit Survey.” Please help your child complete this required survey by the April 15th deadline.  

A final transcript request is part of the Senior Exit Survey. Make sure to select the college you plan to attend. All final transcripts will be sent to colleges approximately one week following graduation.  

NCAA Scholarship Student Transcripts: Part of the senior exit survey, you must select the final transcript option so the NCAA can verify final eligibility and graduation. 

Task #2: Proof of Scholarships Received – Deadline: April 15th, 2026.  Please submit scholarship offers and attach files in School Links. Only official documentation will be accepted. Include the scholarships you are not accepting as well. Scholarship documents must be submitted using the student’s device or by bringing official scholarship forms to the Counseling Office.  

Scholarship recipients are recognized in the graduation program. We will recognize all scholarship award recipients, whether they are accepting the award or not. When submitting the award letter, we need a copy of the actual award letter (not a summarized statement from parents or students), the amount of the award, and if it is renewable.  

Please note that individual scholarship names and amounts are not reported. Only a grand total of all offers to Centennial students are reported at graduation.  

It is the student’s/parent’s responsibility to provide scholarship information to the school for inclusion in the graduation program. All scholarship information must be received by April 30, 2026. There are no exceptions to this deadline. 

Task #3: Senior Activity Fees: Senior Activity fees are $60 and can be paid online on the school website. Seniors must have paid their Senior Activity Fee by Friday, March 27, to participate in Senior Week activities. See Ms. Harmon for additional inquiries about Senior Week or visit the Senior Tab. on the Centennial website. 

Task #4: Mandatory Graduation Fee: The CHS Graduation Fee includes cap and gown, newly designed stole, diploma cover, and graduation venue. This does not include Senior Week Activities. Make your payment online: Purchase link or call 3rd Ascent: 770-594-8155. 

• October – December 2025, the Graduation Fee was $200.00 (installment payments available at link) 

• January 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026: the Graduation Fee incurs late fees. 

Task #5: Cap & Gown/Yearbook Distribution May 1, 2026, during lunch: Cap and Gowns will be distributed on May 1st during students assigned lunch period. Yearbooks will be distributed to seniors who have purchased one at the same time. 

Task #6: Senior Clearance – Mandatory for All Seniors: Attendance is mandatory at this event scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026. All graduating seniors are required to attend and receive “Cleared” status prior to participation in graduation practice. During senior clearance, each student will verify “clear” status with multiple departments. They will pay all outstanding fines/fees owed to the school system, which can include parking fines, lost or damaged device charges, book fines, athletic uniforms or equipment fines, musical instrument fines, etc. Please note that all payments must be made through Online School Payments (OSP) or Infinite Campus. Checks are not accepted.  

Seniors cannot participate in graduation practice, which is mandatory, unless all debts and obligations to the school system are “Cleared” by Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Senior Clearance Times: Time Assigned by Last Name – All Graduates Must Attend 

 

10:30AM A-C	11:30AM I-M	12:30PM T-Z
11:00AM D-H	12:00PM N-S	1:00PM Closed

Task #7: Graduation Practice – Mandatory for All Seniors. In order to participate in the graduation ceremony at Gas South Arena, all seniors in good standing must attend the entire practice. Practice is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Centennial High School at 1:30 PM. Practice follows the completion of Senior Clearance. Please do not schedule appointments or other activities during the graduation practice date. 

 

Graduation: 

 

Centennial Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony 

Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at Gas South Arena 

 

We certainly understand that this graduation time is early! Here’s why: 

 

Our options through our graduation venue are always somewhat limited. We must further balance that by ensuring all seniors can attend without testing conflicts. IB testing continues the entire week of graduation with many morning and afternoon tests. IB offers zero flexibility in re-scheduling their exams. In fact, on the afternoon of graduation, many seniors will engage in additional IB testing. This time slot, early, was the only available slot that allowed us to ensure all seniors could participate. 

 

 To be eligible to participate in graduation, please note the following: 

 

Diploma Requirements: All requirements for a Fulton County High School diploma must be completed by May 8, 2026. Note: Students enrolled in online courses are responsible for ensuring completion by the earlier specified end date. Senior grades close at the conclusion of Senior Recovery on Friday, May 8, 2026. Teachers must finalize and submit all senior grades by noon on Monday, May 11. 

 

Online Courses and Dual Enrollment: End dates for online courses and dual enrollment are earlier than the CHS calendar. It is the student’s and parent’s responsibility to ensure the student is making adequate progress in these classes to complete the course by the specified end date. Be aware of dates for final exams, final assignments, and when grades are released. All grades awarded by these schools are final, and Centennial HS has no authority over those courses. 

 

Commencement Ceremony: Participation in the commencement ceremony is optional and a privilege. It is not required to receive your high school diploma. Seniors must exercise good judgment to ensure their participation in this long-awaited ceremony. Any action or behavior that detracts from the dignity of the ceremony may result in exclusion from the event. This includes violations of school rules and District policy, arrests, inappropriate use of social media, participating in “senior pranks,” or actions that do not represent CHS positively. 

 

Information and Deadlines: The information in this letter is also included on the Senior Page of the Centennial website (Seniors). Each graduating senior is responsible for staying informed about all information and deadlines regarding graduation. 

 

Fulton County Schools Honor Cords: Graduating seniors with an overall average of 88.0+ (as of their 7th high school semester) are recognized as Honor Graduates. Honor Graduates are distinguished in the graduation ceremony by wearing a gold Honor Cord with their cap and gown. Students recognized as Honor Graduates will receive their Honor Cord in their envelopes at graduation practice. 

 

Graduation Guests/Tickets: All qualifying graduate seniors will receive 15 general admission graduation tickets at the conclusion of Graduation Practice on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Tickets are required for the graduation ceremony. Lost tickets will not be replaced. If your family needs additional tickets, after May 1st you may reach out to Dr. Heath for purchase. 

 

Graduation Packet & Program: At graduation practice, each student will receive a packet which will include: 

• Two (2) commemorative, full-length graduation programs. Digital programs at the gate (QR code). 

• Honor Cords, if awarded by Centennial Honor Societies. 

• Blue Envelope with letters of congratulations from family and friends. 

• Parking Ticket for Student Graduates Lot for Graduation at Gas South Arena. 

 

Senior Graduates Arrival and Assembly: Seniors must enter the Gas South Arena through the Loading Dock and report to the assembly area at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19th. Student parking is in Deck 3. If you arrive after 7:00 a.m., graduates will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. 

• Leave purses, cameras, etc., with family members as there is no place to secure them, and graduates may not carry anything during the ceremony. Smoking/vaping is not allowed at the facility. 

• Inappropriate behavior by a graduate may result in a hold being placed on your final transcript and/or diploma. 

 

Attire for Graduation Ceremony: 

• For Girls: Dress or pant suit, with dress shoes or dress sandals. No jeans, shorts, flip flops, athletic shoes, or stiletto heels. 

• For Boys: Dress shirt with tie, dress slacks, dark dress shoes with dark socks. No jeans, shorts, sleeveless shirts, flip flops, sandals, or athletic shoes. 

• Please wear something with pockets for your cell phone and keys. No purses or bags are allowed. 

• When crossing the stage, graduates are to have their gowns fully zipped and mortarboard (cap) on. Students who are not in the dress code will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. 

• The only adornments to the CHS graduation gown are honor cords and regalia awarded and approved by the school. No flags or country stoles. Caps may be decorated with initials, future college/career, and/or country. 

 

Clear Bag Policy: Gas South will perform bag checks at all graduations. Only clear bags not exceeding 12" x 12" x 6" will be allowed or non-clear clutch bags not exceeding 6.5” x 4.5”. No backpacks, balloons, large posters, or noisemakers will be allowed. Cameras are allowed. Graduates will not be allowed to have purses, bags, extra clothing items, or signs with them prior to or during the ceremony. Gas South’s bag information: https://www.gassouthdistrict.com/arena/event-security-clear-bags  

 

Parking: Student Graduates will receive a parking voucher at practice for parking in Graduate Parking in Deck 3. All others must purchase parking. Parking can be purchased in advance here. 

 

Graduation Ceremony Video: The entire ceremony will be filmed and recorded this year. The video will be available online the CHS website within three working days of the ceremony. You may view and share the video once it is posted. 

 

Graduation Ceremony Pictures: The school’s professional photography company will take pictures as each graduate crosses the stage and again as they descend from the stage. Information about the purchase of photographs and other details will be communicated by CADY Studios. 

 

Your Centennial Graduation Team, 

Christa Heath                           Kelly Harmon                Ida Ward                              Opie Blackwell 
Graduation Coordinator           Senior Sponsor              Senior Administrator            Principal  

 

APPENDIX 1: UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES PRIOR TO GRADUATION 

 

Fine Arts Foundation: It's not too late to leave a legacy at CHS in honor of your graduate! Any family that joins CHS's Foundation for Fine Arts at the Gold level will receive a Commemorative Gold Brick for their student, which will be placed in the CHS auditorium lobby to permanently honor your child's involvement in Fine Arts at Centennial High School. Visit www.chsffa.org to join. 

 

Yard Signs: Let everyone know that you're graduating! Purchase a graduation yard sign from Centennial's Project Graduation Committee to proudly display the name of your graduating senior. Visit Order  for pricing and order information. 

 

Honor Cords: Senior members of some CHS organizations and clubs may be eligible to receive an honor cord to be worn at graduation. Distribution to eligible students will be included in senior envelopes. Seniors should contact the appropriate advisor with any questions. Graduates are only allowed to wear regalia provided by CHS at the ceremony. 

 

Baccalaureate: This inspirational service, sponsored by parents of the Centennial High School Community, is not an official activity of Centennial High School or the Fulton County School District. The Baccalaureate service will be held on Sunday, May 3rd, at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Pisgah Church (2850 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek). Caps and gowns will be worn at this service. Caps and gowns must be ordered by March 30th to ensure delivery for Baccalaureate. The Baccalaureate service is a non-denominational worship service intended to encourage, challenge, and inspire the graduates as they move from high school to their future endeavors. Graduates should wear their graduation gowns to the service (no caps). Recommended attire under the gowns is as follows: Girls in appropriate dress or dress pants and top; Guys in black, navy, or khaki pants with collared shirts. Graduates are to be at Mt. Pisgah no later than 2:30 p.m. and will gather upstairs on the balcony until the service begins. There is no limit to the number of attendees and their guests - all are welcome. The committee is asking for a $25 donation to defray the cost. Register to attend the service here. Donate to the Baccalaureate Service here. 

 

Graduate Walks at Feeder Schools: Graduating seniors are invited to wear their cap and gown to walk through the halls of the Centennial High School feeder elementary and middle schools they attended. Information and updates can always be found on the Seniors and Graduation page of our website, which can be accessed at the following link: Senior Page 

 

May 12th	1:30pm	Northwood Elementary
May 11th	1:45pm	Barnwell Elementary
May 14th	1:15pm	Esther Jackson Elementary
May 11th	1:30pm	River Eves Elementary
May 14th	9:00am	Haynes Bridge Middle
	1:30pm	Hillside Elementary
May 15th	2:30pm	Holcomb Bridge Middle

 

 

APPENDIX 2: SENIOR SCHEDULED EVENTS AND DEADLINE  

 

DATE	EVENT	TIME	LOCATION
Mon. 4/20	Coffee Truck & Dunkin Sweet Treat  Theme of the Day: “Senior Citizen Day”	4 Period	Gym Lobby
Tues. 4/21	Senior Snack   Theme of the Day: “Throwback 2016 Day”	4 Period	Gym Concession Stand
Wed 4/22	Chick-fil-A Breakfast  Theme of the Day: “Anything But a Backpack”	1st and 2nd	Gym Concession Stand
Thurs. 4/23	Senior Field Day & Food Truck Day   Theme of the Day: “Dress Like Your Young Self”	4 Period	Picnic Area - Behind the New PE Annex
Fri. 4/24	Prom  Theme of the Day: “College/Career Shirt Day”		Metropolitan Club
Tues. 4/15	Scholarship Award Letters Due	4:00 PM	Student Services
Tues.4/15	Senior Exit Survey Due Online *  Must be completed by all Sr’s Regardless of Post-graduation plans.
Fri. 5/1	Cap & Gown Distribution Yearbook Distribution	Assigned Lunch	Learning Commons
Sun. 5/3	Baccalaureate Ceremony	3:00pm	Mt. Pisgah Church
Thurs. 5/7	Last Day of Class for “On Track” Seniors		Classrooms
Fri May 8th	Senior Recovery Day  No Classes for “On Track” Seniors
Wed. 5/13	Senior Clearance: Time Assigned by Last Name  10:30AM: A-C 11:30AM: I-M 12:30 PM: T-Z  11:00 AM D-H 12:00 PM: N-S 1:00 PM: Closed		Learning Commons
Wed. 5/13	Senior Checkout Form Due by 1:00pm		Mrs. White   Learning Commons
Wed. 5/13	Mandatory Graduation Practice – Tickets Distributed at the End of Practice	1:00 PM	Centennial Main Gym
Tues. 5/19	Graduation Ceremony – Tickets Required*	8:00AM	Gas South Arena
Thurs 5/21	Diploma Pick Up	10:00AM – 12:00 PM	Bus Loop

 

Should it become necessary, for any reason, to make changes to the details outlined in the schedule of events, every effort will be made to keep you informed. Information and Updates can always be found on the Seniors and Graduation page of our website which can be accessed here: Senior Page 

Town Hall Information

Senior Town Hall 1

Senior Town Hall 2

Senior Town Hall 3