April 16, 2020

Jefferson Parish Schools is moving its high school graduations to July in an effort to preserve in-person commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2020.

The district announced that graduations for 14 of its 15 senior classes will now take place in July. 

“Senior year is one of the most memorable times of our kids’ lives, and the pinnacle of this time is the commencement ceremony,” said JP Schools Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “We’re doing everything in our power to make this moment special for the Class of 2020. Our seniors deserve a traditional graduation and I want to do all we can to make that possible.“ 

District leaders made the switch with the hope it will be safe to gather for an appropriate celebration by July. Commencement ceremonies for all JP Schools graduating classes except Grand Isle School, JCFA Charter, and Kenner Discovery Charter High will take place July 6-9 at the Pontchartrain Center. Should it not be safe to hold in-person commencement ceremonies by July, the schools will instead hold virtual graduations in mid-July.

Grand Isle School will hold its ceremony in the school’s gymnasium July 10. Kenner Discovery Charter High will be releasing information soon about their graduation plans.  JCFA Charter will hold its graduation July 14 at La Maison Creole in Harvey.

The ceremonies will be abbreviated and include additional safety measures. Speeches and performances will be limited and invitations will be reduced. The district will record each graduation and make those videos available online. Diplomas will be distributed at schools in late May. Schools will communicate information about diploma pick-up and commencement ceremonies to families. The district is announcing this change now to give families as much notice as possible.

JP Schools commencement ceremonies were scheduled to start May 9 and conclude May 17. There are over 2,600 high school seniors in Jefferson Parish Schools.

Fifteen schools in the district have a 2020 graduating class: Bonnabel High, East Jefferson High, Fisher Middle-High, Grace King High, Grand Isle School, Haynes Academy, Helen Cox High, Higgins High, JCFA Charter, John Ehret High, Kenner Discovery Charter High, Patrick F. Taylor Academy, Thomas Jefferson Academy, and West Jefferson High.

Jefferson Parish Schools Class of 2020 Graduation Schedule:

July 6: Graduation held at the Pontchartrain Center

• Riverdale High: 9:30 am
• Haynes Academy: 2 pm
• East Jefferson High: 6 pm

July 7: Graduation held at the Pontchartrain Center

• West Jefferson High: 9:30 am
• Thomas Jefferson Academy: 2 pm
• Grace King High: 6 pm

July 8: Graduation held at the Pontchartrain Center

• Higgins High: 9:30 am
• Patrick Taylor Academy: 2 pm
• Helen Cox High: 6 pm

July 9: Graduation held at the Pontchartrain Center

• John Ehret High: 9:30 am
• Fisher Middle-High: 2 pm
• Bonnabel High: 6 pm

July 10: Graduation held at Grand Isle School

• Grand Isle School: 12 pm

July 14: Graduation held at La Maison Creole

• JCFA Charter: 6:30 pm

TBD

• Kenner Discovery Charter High

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