Class of 2020 Graduation Schedule

EPB Fiber Optics LogoDue to the attendance limitations under social distancing requirements, all graduations will be streamed live online on YouTube or Facebook (individual school stream locations below.) We hope this service is valuable for family members unable to attend these important ceremonies. Special thanks to EPB for providing fiber optic lines to some of our schools to help the district provide the ceremonies online for family and friends.

Graduations by Day, Time and Location:

   
Thursday, June 25, 2020

  • Sequoyah High School at Soddy Daisy High Stadium at 7:30 p.m. (map) (livestream)

Friday, June 26, 2020

  • Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences at CSAS Stadium at 6 p.m. (map) (livestream)
  • East Hamilton High School at the EHHS stadium 6 p.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Lookout Valley High School at the LVHS Stadium at 7 p.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Red Bank High School at the Soddy Daisy High Stadium 7 p.m. (map) (livestream)

Saturday, June 27, 2020

  • Hixson High School at the HXHS Stadium at 8:30 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Brainerd High School at the BHS Stadium 9 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Central High School at the CHS Stadium at 9 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • East Ridge High School at the ERHS Stadium at 9 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • The Howard School at the THS Stadium at 9 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Ooltewah High School at the OHS Stadium at 9 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Soddy Daisy High School at the SDHS Stadium at 9 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Signal Mountain High School at the SMHS Stadium at 9 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Center for Creative Arts in the CCA Front Lot at 9:30 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Tyner Academy at the Tyner Stadium at 9:30 a.m. (map) (livestream)
  • STEM School Chattanooga in the CCA Front Lot at 12 p.m. (map) (livestream)
  • Sale Creek High School at the Fort Bluff Stadium, Dayton, TN, at 7 p.m. (map) (livestream)

The ceremonies will follow health and safety guidelines and recommendations of the CDC, Tennessee Department of Education, and Governor Bill Lee. The guidelines will require the district to limit attendance to the event to provide the recommended social distancing between family groups. The suggested venue of an outdoor stadium limits guests to the facility capacity seating family groups six feet apart and at least three rows between the groups.

The school district is following guidance from the CDC and the local health department in planning graduation ceremonies. View the CDC guidelines on individuals who should not attend graduations and on protecting yourself and others from the spread of Covid-19. 

HCS Guidelines for graduations sites:

Guests attending:

  • Guests will be limited to four per graduate. Tickets will be printed for each school and required to enter the ceremony. Families of four can sit together but will have to maintain six feet apart from other families to meet "Social Distancing" guidelines.
  • Guests will be split between home and away stands. Guidelines will be set by the school to ensure guests know where to sit.
  • All available gates would be utilized for arrival to ensure social distancing is taking place. At dismissal, attendants will be encouraged those attending to exit by rows.
  • Those attending are encouraged to wear masks during arrival, dismissal, and anytime they have to leave their seat.
  • Those attending are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer.
  • No concession stands will be open.  Those attending are encouraged to bring water. Please note that all water must be in a clear bottle.
  • Restrooms will be available on an emergency basis, and numbers in restrooms will be limited.

Graduates:

  • Graduates will gather in a location designated by the school administration. Graduates and faculty/staff will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing while waiting for the ceremony to begin.
  • During the ceremony, graduates will be seated on the field with chairs a minimum of six feet apart.
  • No throwing of Caps will be allowed.
  • More school-specific guidelines will be provided to all graduates (dress code, cords, etc.)

End of Ceremony Procedures:

  • All Graduates and their guests will need to exit the venue following exit procedures immediately after the ceremony.
  • Gathering in stadiums and parking lots, at any time, is strongly discouraged for both graduates and their guests.

The Class of 2020 is a Special Class!


This is the first class of students born after September 11, 2001, one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history. Now, here we are again facing another one of those challenging times, and we know this group will be stronger and experience great success as we emerge from this challenge. Even though this is a difficult time, you have certainly earned congratulations on your accomplishments. You are on the cusp of achieving a milestone! The Class of 2020 is a gifted group of students, and your determination and class have been inspirational!

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many hurdles for us all, and we know our seniors are uniquely Impacted. The second semester of a student’s senior year is a time all students look forward to, and our hearts are heavy over the loss of those special moments and experiences for the Class of 2020. Please be assured that we do not intend for graduation ceremonies to be among those lost moments.

This is not how you expected your last year of high school to end, and it is okay to be upset about that. You are allowed to feel the full range of emotions during this unprecedented time. This season is not only special for seniors and their families, but also for your teachers, principals and other staff in your school who have watched you grow over the last 13 years. We are disappointed that you are losing some of those moments too, and we will do everything in our power to create special moments for you.

Last year Hamilton County Schools was the fastest improving school district in the state of Tennessee, and you were leaders in achieving that goal! Many of you have earned scholarships to two-year or four-year institutions, enlisted in the armed forces, received job offers or have other post-secondary plans. We are so proud of your hard work and although this is a challenging situation, this does not take away from your accomplishments! You deserve to be celebrated. Thank you again for being the leaders you are and for showing the community, state and nation how #HCSLeads during moments of challenge. Be well and do good!

We Are Hamilton!