graduation 2026

Cap and gown orders

Caps and gowns are included in the registration fee. Seniors will order their cap and gown during community period on Wednesday, October 8.

If you would like to purchase graduation announcements, a class ring, or other items, please refer to the Jostens packet your son received during community period on September 5.  You can also visit their website at www.jostens.com. Please note fall pricing expires on October 20, 2025.  

senior pictures - yearbook ad - By january 16

Yearbook photos for seniors were taken on registration day in August. 

Parents may choose to purchase a senior ad for the yearbook for $85. Due to the senior class size, space will be limited. Look for more information towards the end of October in the weekly parent email update The Prepped Parent. The deadline to order is January 16, 2026. 

academics

As they approach graduation, seniors must keep their focus on coursework so they don’t find themselves in a situation where they are in danger of failing a course or not meeting other higher academic standards. Diplomas may be withheld from a student who fails a course. Regular study and attendance are key elements in avoiding these issues. If you have concerns about your son, begin by contacting his teachers or counselor.

ABSENTEEISM, DISRUPTIONS, OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS

All seniors should read the Student-Parent Handbook regarding excessive absences, which may impact his readiness for graduation. Any student who still owes fines, outstanding debts or jugs will not receive his cap and gown until this business is complete. Direct questions or concerns to Mr. John Jenkins at jjenkins@creightonprep.org.

Senior leadership is very important to school culture. Disruptive behavior at the end of the school year may result in the postponement of final exams and prolonging the school year. Students involved in any end of the year disruption may forfeit their participation in the graduation ceremony and receive other appropriate consequences up to and including dismissal. School administration will exercise its discretion to use legal recourse for disruptions that occur after graduation. Specifically, seniors should avoid disruptions in daily school routines and the educational process, avoid actions that violate the human dignity of any person and avoid conduct detrimental to the reputation or mission of the school.

Finalizing postsecondary plans

The Counseling Department is available to help seniors as they determine their plans after graduation. We recognize this decision may be difficult for your student and family to make as you consider many factors, including financial aid and scholarships. Students who are uncertain about their postsecondary plans are welcome to request a meeting. If you have any questions about the timeline and postsecondary plans, please contact your son’s counselor or Mrs. Evert, Director of College Counseling, at severt@creightonprep.org. 

Scholarship and admission decisions reported - may 1

The Counseling Department must have an accurate record of all college decisions and scholarships to maintain our internal database. Parents, please complete these three items with your son by May 1, 2026.

1. Please have your son log in to Scoir to update his list of colleges to which he has applied and the admission decision for each college (accept, deny, defer, waitlist) after these decisions are available. 
2. Once he has decided which college he will attend and has paid the enrollment deposit, your son should mark this college as “enrolling” in Scoir.
3. Please share a copy of each scholarship your son received from each college. Our preferred way to receive scholarship information is by completing this form and uploading a copy of the scholarship letter or a screenshot of the award information. You will complete this form for each college to which your son received a scholarship.

By reviewing each scholarship award and sharing this information with the Counseling Department, students and families will have a better understanding of each financial aid and scholarship package to assist your family in making a final decision. 

pronunciations and legacy names - April

In April, seniors will be asked to complete a form to confirm the correct pronunciation of their name for the graduation ceremony, as well as if they are a legacy. A legacy is a father, grandfather, or great-grandfather who graduated from Prep. Please touch base with your son and make sure he completes the form, especially if his name is often mispronounced and he has a legacy connection to Prep.

HIGHER HEIGHTS - A SENIOR DECISION DAY CELEBRATION and Breakfast - May 6

Senior Final Exams - May 7-8

Final exams for seniors are scheduled for May 7-8 from 12:00-4:45 p.m. Parents and students should not arrange early vacations, trips, work, medical appointments or make other requests that would necessitate missing these days. These absences may be considered unexcused, and the student may forfeit the opportunity to take his final exam and lose academic credit as a result. Exceptions to this policy are generally reserved for documented serious medical or family reasons and must be approved by the Academic Principal. A course-specific exam schedule will be released approximately ten days prior to exams. 

GRADUATION practice - May 15

Graduation practice is mandatory for all graduates. It will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15 in the Heider Center. The regular school dress code is in effect for graduation practice.

caps & gown distribution - May 15

Caps and gowns will be picked up immediately following graduation rehearsal in the Heider Center. All fines, outstanding obligations and disciplinary responsibilities must be taken care of in order for your son to receive his cap and gown. 

Graduation ticket information and distribution - may 15

Graduation tickets will be picked up immediately following graduation rehearsal in the Heider Center. All fines, outstanding obligations and disciplinary responsibilities must be taken care of in order for your son to receive his tickets.

Each family will receive 10 tickets for the graduation ceremony. Each person needs a ticket to enter the graduation ceremony. This includes anyone needing handicapped seating. Graduates will not need a ticket. Tickets will be distributed with caps and gowns on Friday, May 15. If your family will not be using all of the tickets, please return unused tickets the day of graduation to the ticket box office located just outside of the Heider Center.

If you are in need of additional tickets, we suggest reaching out to your son’s friends to see if they will be using all of their tickets. Extra tickets are usually available at the box office located outside of the Heider Center doors. The box office opens at 9:00 a.m

Baccalaureate mass - St. cecilia's cathedral - May 16 (Note location change)

Graduation events will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 with Mass at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral located at 701 N 40th St. Because of space limitations, only seniors and their parents are invited to attend. Seniors should sit with their parents and dress in Prep’s formal dress code with a suit coat or jacket optional. 

GRADUATION ceremony - may 17

Graduation will be held in the Heider Center on Sunday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. Seniors should arrive by 9:15 a.m. and be in formal dress code with cap and gown. Carpooling is strongly encouraged as parking is limited. A suit coat or jacket is not recommended for graduation because it gets bulky and warm under the graduation gown. 

Immediately following graduation, your son will receive a packet. Inside the packet will be his diploma along with a copy of his final transcript.  

behavior and dress at graduation

Graduation is a dignified celebration. Raucous behavior is an embarrassment to parents, friends, jubilarians, alumni, faculty and, mostly, to those who behave in this manner. Any student who disrupts the ceremony may be removed and his diploma may be withheld. Let’s celebrate in a way that reflects our mission and values.

Formal dress is required for the baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony. This includes a formal men’s shirt and tie, dress pants, dress socks and dress shoes. A suit coat or jacket is not recommended for graduation because it gets bulky and warm under the graduation gown.  

Final transcript - early june

Final official transcripts will be electronically submitted in early June to the one school your son has decided to attend. The school listed as “enrolling” in Scoir will be the school receiving the final official transcript. Graduates will receive a copy of their transcript in their graduation packet available immediately after the graduation ceremony.   

yearbooks - august 10

Yearbooks will be available for the graduating class of 2026 on Monday, August 10 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in the Mullen Gym. If your son is unable to pick up his yearbook on this date, a parent can pick up the yearbook for him. We ask if a parent does pick up the yearbook, please provide Prep with an updated email address for your son so he can be included in alumni events.

Additional questions?

If you have additional questions, please contact Administrative Assistant Liz Vokal at lvokal@creightonprep.org or (402) 393-1190 Ext. 3314.

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IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS

May 1 - Scholarships

• All scholarship award letters need to be turned into the Counseling Department. Use this form to submit when they become available.

May 6 – Higher Heights - A Senior Decision Day Celebration and Breakfast

• All seniors are invited to attend along with their parents and family members.

May 7-8 – Final Exams Days for Seniors

• Final exams for seniors begin at noon. 

May 15 - Graduation Practice

• Graduation practice is at 11:00 a.m. in the Heider Center. 
• Graduation practice is mandatory. 
• All seniors must attend in dress code. 
• Pick up cap and gown after graduation practice in the Heider Center. 
• Tickets for graduation will be included with the cap and gown.
• All fines, outstanding obligations and jugs must be taken care of in order to receive your cap and gown. 

May 15 - Graduation Tickets

• Each family will receive only 10 tickets.
• Graduation tickets will be included with the cap and gown. 
• Tickets are needed to enter the graduation ceremony at the Heider Center.
• Your son will not need a ticket.
• ADA seating is available on the main floor behind the graduates. 

May 16 - Baccalaureate Mass

• The baccalaureate Mass is at 7:30 p.m. at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church.
• Due to limited space, this Mass is for the graduate and parents only.
• Formal dress code. 

May 17 - Graduation Ceremony

• Seniors should arrive for the graduation ceremony by 9:15 a.m. and enter through the Sullivan Center entrance on the west side of Prep.
• The graduation ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. 
• Doors open at 9:00 a.m.
• Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Parking is limited.
• Formal dress code.