We are thrilled to announce that the NOW Arena has informed us that we are able to host a limited in-person graduation inside the arena! Of course, all participants and guests are still required to follow all COVID-19 mitigation strategies and safety protocols, including masks and social distancing, in alignment with current health department guidelines.  If health department guidelines change due to increased COVID-19 cases, we may need to return to the drive-in model. Thus, it is important for us to continue to follow health guidance and also encourage vaccines for anyone over the age of 16.

We know that graduation is an important milestone and want to encourage all seniors to participate; however if a senior is required to quarantine on May 29 as a result of having COVID symptoms, receiving a positive COVID test result, or being identified as a close contact of a confirmed or suspected positive case, they will not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Our full-length one-hour ceremony schedule remains the same and is as follows:

8 a.m.  - South Elgin High School

11 a.m. - Elgin High School 

2 p.m. - Bartlett High School

5 p.m.- Larkin High School

8 p.m. - Streamwood High School

Some additional details: 

• There will be a limited number of tickets allocated per graduate. The number of tickets we are able to provide will be based on the size of the graduating class and our ability to stay under the arena’s capacity requirements.  The NOW Arena must also limit each graduate to one vehicle.  

• Graduates must arrive at the NOW Arena in their cap and gown and in the same car as their guests. 

• We will be streaming the ceremony live for viewing via YouTube and we will still have large screens in one parking lot of the NOW Arena for anyone who can’t sit inside the arena but want to bring a chair and watch the ceremony from the West parking lot.  

• There will be a strict limitation on handbags and other items and there will be no food or drinks, with the exception of health-related dietary needs, in the arena. 

• Each ceremony will be one hour and there will be specific directions for graduates and guests regarding entering and exiting the area. Everything must occur in a timely manner in order to allow proper cleaning and preparation before the next ceremony. 

• Anyone with mobility issues must bring their own wheelchair and any related support for entering and exiting the facility which is wheelchair accessible. 

• High school principals will share additional details regarding each school’s ticket and car tag distribution process.

Our principals will continue to offer regular updates between now and graduation day on May 29th, including rehearsal and ticket information. If you have any questions, we invite you to reach out to us via our “Class of 2021” Tab on Let’s Talk. We’re excited to see our students walk the stage at the NOW Arena once again this year! 

Finally, we ask that seniors complete the Google Form questionnaire that was sent to their school emails. The form will help us update and enhance school yearbooks and graduation slideshows that will be broadcast at each ceremony. Share your accomplishments and achievements as part of the class of 2021; you can even submit your own photo! Dream Academy students should enter information at the link of their home school. 

SEHS Link - https://forms.gle/dZkWfXhCGZEHUE1Q8

EHS Link - https://forms.gle/vdr8ar4Wp8Px6DbMA

LHS Link - https://forms.gle/bb8CbahM5ZFiLP9M7

SHS Link - https://forms.gle/o6eHV1fwCMrWmJhn8

BHS Link - https://forms.gle/Vw1hVixszRMGc3uZ7