Class of 2023 Graduation Parent Letter

  • Senior families will receive a letter regarding the graduation ceremony to be held on Tuesday, June 6th at 6PM. Please make sure that you read it as there is a lot of important information in this letter, including dates and deadlines that we have reviewed previously. We will have it available for download soon.

Important Senior Dates

  • Grad Bash – April 21st
  • Night of Excellence – April 27th
  • Junio/Senior Prom – April 29th
  • Senior Scholarship Night – May 16th
  • AMA (Medical Academy) Graduation – May 17th
  • NHS Senior Send Off – May 18th
  • Graduation Practice and Checkout – May 24th and 26th (MANDATORY)
  • Senior Breakfast – May 25th
  • Senior Clap Outs – May 26th after Graduation Practice and Checkout
  • Graduation – June 6th at 6PM

Grad Bash

  • Grad Bash will be on April 21st and will be held at Universal Orlando.
  • Tickets are on sale now on Rycor for $115.
  • Passes CANNOT be used.
  • Students MUST ride the busses provided.
  • There is a dress code.

Junior/Senior Prom

  • The Prom will be held at the Tampa Convention Center from 6PM to 10PM on Saturday, April 29th.
  • More information will be forthcoming regarding tickets and permission slips and guest request forms.
  • We WILL REVIEW attendance, discipline, and grades. If you don’t attend (less than 5 absences in any period during the 4th quarter), are not behaving (any Level 2 or Level 3 referrals), and don’t have the grades (on track to graduate – 2.0, no Fs), you WILL NOT be able to attend.

Graduation Requirements 

To graduate with a Standard Diploma, you must have a

  • 2.0 Unweighted GPA
  • 24 credits in specific courses OR 18 credits in specific courses
  • Passing Scores on Algebra 1 FSA and the Grade 10 ELA FSA
  • Sat for the Biology EOC, Geometry EOC, and US History EOC
  • It is highly recommended that you take the SAT/ACT and complete at least 75 hours of community service so that you are eligible for the Florida Bright Futures and other scholarships

Online Class Due Dates

  • If you want to participate in the June 6th Graduation Ceremony, these are the due dates:
    • Online Classwork and DBAs: April 29th
    • EXAMS: May 5th
  • Please do not wait until the last minute!
  • We will NOT extend these deadlines.

Future Standardized Testing Dates

  • February 11th – ACT on Saturday
  • March 1st – School Day SAT
  • March 11th – SAT on Saturday
  • April 15th – ACT on Saturday
  • May 1st to 12th – AP Exams
  • May 6th – ACT on Saturday
  • June 3rd – SAT on Saturday
  • June 10th – ACT on Saturday

Class of 2023 Graduation Practice and Checkout (MANDATORY TO WALK ON JUNE 6th)

  • Senior Checkout & Graduation Practices are mandatory for those who want to walk in the June 6th Graduation Ceremony.
  • They are on May 24th and May 26th from 8:21AM to 1:30PM.
  • DO NOT plan vacations or appointments on these days.
  • DO NOT schedule work before 1:30PM.
  • If you are not present for the entire time, you don’t walk.

Senior Clap Outs

  • Senior Clap Outs will be held on Friday, May 26th at various elementary schools AFTER graduation practice.
  • More information to come.

Graduation Fees

  • Graduation Fees are $100.
  • Due by the second day of Graduation Practice and Senior Checkout (May 26th).
  • They cover the cap and gown, medallion, graduation program, USF venue, diploma, and diploma cover.
  • You can pay for this now on Rycor.

Class of 2023 Senior Breakfast

  • Senior Breakfast will be held on Thursday, May 25th at 9AM at Spartan Manor.
  • There is no charge, but there is a dress code.
  • This is for students only.
  • Start looking for pictures now for the Senior Slide Show!

Caps and Gowns and Regalia

  • Caps and gowns are given out on the second day of Senior Checkout & Graduation Practice (May 26th).
  • There is NO EXCEPTION to this.
  • They are given only to those walking who have met ALL graduation requirements.
  • Caps CANNOT be decorated. They must remain in the condition you receive them (see below under Dress Expectations).
  • Only authorized cords and stoles can be worn as regalia (see below under Dress Expectations).

Class of 2023 Final Transcript Request

  • Seniors can request final transcripts that will be available at June 15th.
  • Transcripts are FREE for the Class of 2023 until August 1st.
  • We will have a link available for you to request transcripts in May.

Graduation Ceremony Parking 

  • Pay for parking at USF online: https://www.parkwhiz.com/yuengling-center-parking/
  • Once on the website find PASCO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONY EVENING on Tuesday, June 6th at 6PM
  • Parking is $8
  • Traffic to and Parking at the University of South Florida Sun Dome: Please be advised that the time of arrival for the graduation ceremony for students (5:00PM) will coincide with early afternoon/evening traffic that is very heavy based on the location of the University of South Florida Sun Dome. Please plan appropriately when leaving your homes and give yourself more than enough time to arrive without incident. Once students and staff have left for the beginning of the ceremony, the students will not be permitted to enter into the seating area for graduates. This is University of South Florida Sun Dome’s security policy and will be strictly enforced. There are parking areas throughout the areas around the University of South Florida Sun Dome. Disabled parking is located at Gate A and Gate D, Parking Lot Area 22F.

Graduation Shoutouts

Do you want to give a celebration shoutout to your senior?  You can purchase a JWMHS Graduation Shoutout for $20 each that will run during the Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony. Fill out your form here and go to Rycor to make a payment. You can have as many shoutouts as you would like.

Complete the Shoutout Form here: JWMHS Class of 2023 Shoutout Form

Graduation Ceremony Livestream

  • We will be livestreaming the ceremony.
  • A link will be made available closer to the ceremony.

Graduation Ceremony Information

You will be able to download the Graduation Guidelines Here!

Ceremony

  • The graduation ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 6th at 6:00PM. It will begin promptly at 6:00PM. Seniors are to report at 5:00PM to the University of South Florida Sun Dome in Tampa in order to line up for the ceremony. Please follow the signs upon entering the University of South Florida Sun Dome, as they will direct students and guests to the areas in which they should go. Students should enter at the Corral, which is to the left of Gate A.

Dress Expectations

  • Dress Code for Graduates: Dress pants and dress shirt with tie, a dress or skirt and blouse or pantsuit are recommended outfits. If wearing pants, wear matching/dark socks with dress shoes. No sneakers, sandals, flip flops, etc. are allowed. We recommend that students not wear high heels, as there will be a lot of walking and stair climbing. No visible “bulky” jewelry, scarves, ribbons, etc. are permitted.
  • Personal Items: Leave purses, cameras, and personal items with a parent or friend in the audience; they may not be taken in during the processional.  Flowers or corsages are NOT permitted.
  • Graduation Gowns: We have ordered all caps and gowns for students. Please do not order a second cap and gown from Herff Jones. Please carry your cap and gown into the University of South Florida Sun Dome. We will not have extra gowns on hand. Make sure that you bring yours to the ceremony. Gowns are to look like they did when received from the company. Nothing extra may be added to them.
  • Graduation Cap: The mortarboard (graduation cap) is to be worn flat with the tassel over the right eye.  Once the seniors are declared graduates, the tassel is moved to the left side in unison with the class.  Mortarboards are to look like they did when received from the company. Nothing extra may be added to them. We will not have extra caps or tassels on hand. Make sure that you bring yours to the ceremony.
  • Graduation Regalia (Cords & Stoles): Cords and stoles that are approved are the only cords and stoles that should be worn. Cords and stoles that are approved include: academic honor cords, service clubs, and honor societies.
  • Failure to comply with the dress policy may result in the student not being permitted to participate in the ceremony. Security will do a visual search and wand of all of the graduates and any guests to the University of South Florida Sun Dome.

Behavior

  • Graduation is a momentous occasion not only for the seniors, but also for their parents, families, and friends.  For that reason, the ceremony is to be held with dignity and courtesy to others.  All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for the occasion, which includes walking across the stage.  All participants must comply with the Pasco County Student Code of Conduct. Inappropriate behavior will result in both students and parents/guardians having to meet with the school administration prior to receiving a diploma.
  • Improper noises and distractions will not be permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, noisemakers such as bullhorns, air horns, whistles, cowbells, and firecrackers, etc.  Do NOT bring in beach balls, silly string, or any item that would be deemed inappropriate. We ask that you request family and friends to remain seated throughout the ceremony, except when it is appropriate to stand (during the Pledge of Allegiance, for example), as a courtesy to other graduates and their families and friends. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, is permitted in the seating area for graduates.
  • Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not receive his/her diploma and/or will be turned over to appropriate law enforcement officials. As this is a School District of Pasco County event, alcohol will not be permitted inside of any of the areas in the University of South Florida Sun Dome dedicated to the graduation ceremony.

Seating & Tickets (including Handicapped Seating)

  • Seating is unlimited in the University of South Florida Sun Dome. Tickets will not be necessary as a result. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, is permitted on the floor partitioned off on the University of South Florida Sun Dome.
  • Floor seating is only permitted for invited dignitaries, graduating seniors, band members, faculty and staff, and other invited guests. All of these people will have tickets in order to go to the floor and will be listed on pre-approved lists provided to the University of South Florida Sun Dome. No one else is permitted on the floor of the University of South Florida Sun Dome.
  • Those who need handicapped seating would be advised to enter in at Gate A, where there are elevators available. There is handicapped seating available throughout the Sun Dome. There is also reserved seating for the hearing impaired. Upon entering the Sun Dome, all people in attendance will be searched by security per Sun Dome policy.

Photography

  • Gigante Productions (813-907-1078) will photograph each senior individually upon receiving his/her diploma and congratulations from the principal, as well as with their diplomas. Purchase of these photographs is optional. Gigante Productions will notify seniors via mail when the pictures are ready and all questions regarding these pictures should go to Gigante Productions. Please make sure that your address is correct with J.W. Mitchell High School, as that is the address that we will provide to Gigante Productions. J.W. Mitchell High School does not receive any of these pictures or information following graduation.

Diploma Distribution

  • Diplomas will be distributed by alphabet in the same way that students lined up behind the seating for guests. Students who have officially checked out will be able to receive their diplomas and participate in graduation. Only students meeting the behavioral requirements at graduation will receive a diploma.
  • After receiving your diploma, please exit the University of South Florida Sun Dome. We recommend having a pre-arranged meeting place set with your family.

Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy!

A great way to honor your graduate and time at JWMHS is to memorialize it on a Mustang Legacy Brick! Click below for more information on how to purchase a Mustang Legacy Brick!

Mustang Legacy Bricks