Graduation 2026

No, tickets to attend a ceremony will not be required for the Class of 2026. For guests not able to attend in person, each ceremony will also be live-streamed with the link available on the district’s website.

• Pearce High School – May 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM
• Berkner High School – May 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM
• Richardson High School – May 22, 2026 at  6:30 PM
• Lake Highlands High School – May 23, 2026 at  7:00 AM

Click here to view RISD’s Clear Bag Policy.

Families, friends and attendees of RISD’s upcoming Class of 2026 graduation ceremonies on May 20-23 at Wildcat Ram Stadium are encouraged to be aware of “No Parking” signs along streets. However, most streets around the stadium allow parking.

The following items are prohibited: weapons of ANY kind (including pocket knives), outside food or beverage, wrapped gifts, tripods/monopods, artificial noise makers (air horns, bells, etc.), banners, balloons, beach balls, confetti or streamers, flower vases, umbrellas, metal tumblers, diaper bags, and non-service animals or pets.

RISD Safety & Security periodically uses metal detectors at entrances as a deterrent against prohibited items, and uniformed police officers and/or RISD Safety & Security staff are assigned to all events at RISD stadiums.

Learn more about RISD event policies here.

No, graduates will not be limited in how many guests they can invite. We do encourage families and guests to carpool as parking will be limited at the stadium and in the surrounding neighborhood.

Yes, wheelchair access and seating is available. Guests must provide their own wheelchairs and assistance.

Yes, concessions will be open. Water will be on sale for $3.00.

Yes, simply visit risd.org and a stream will start when ceremonies begin. Recordings of graduations will also be available in the days after the event on RISD’s YouTube Channel.

Traditional graduation ceremony speeches by class valedictorians and salutatorians will be video productions prepared by the students in conjunction with videography departments. Video speeches will be shown on the main screens during ceremonies to ensure a consistent graduation experience for all members of the graduating classes, and their families and guests.

The content of each student speaker’s message is the private, voluntary expression of the individual student and does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or expression of the District or its employees.

In the event of inclement weather at the time of a graduation, RISD can delay the start of the event by up to two hours. Weather delays will be communicated over the speaker system and also posted to risd.org for those watching the live stream. If inclement weather lasts longer than two hours, or the forecast includes a high probability of dangerous weather such as severe thunderstorms or hail, then RISD may postpone a graduation to an alternate day.

If any Graduations must be postponed, the first scheduled makeup day would be May 23 at 8 pm at Wildcat Ram Stadium. Additional makeup ceremonies would be on May 24 at 8 am or 8 pm at Wildcat Ram Stadium if necessary. The date and time would be based on which ceremonies were postponed. Any changes in ceremony date or time would be communicated immediately to graduating seniors and their parents as well as posted on the RISD website and social media channels.