Participation in the commencement exercises is a privilege and as such comes with certain expectations.  Among these expectations are:

• Seniors must have met all academic requirements for graduation.
• Seniors must have settled all accounts with the Finance Office.  This includes all school fees, fines, senior dues, and obligations. 
• Seniors must attend Convocation on Thursday, May 26 and Graduation Rehearsal on Tuesday, May 31.

All graduates planning on attending commencement at DAR must attend our Convocation and graduation rehearsals. 

Convocation: Thursday, May 26 at 10:00 in Madison’s Main Gym. Students should arrive at 9:30 to door 11.  Convocation will function as a graduation rehearsal and should last about an hour.  Seniors will be seated in rows set up to mimic DAR seating.  Parents of senior award winners will receive an invitation to attend.  Seniors will wear their graduation gowns (no caps) at Convocation.

Graduation Rehearsal: Tuesday, May 31 at 10:00 starting in the Auditorium.  Students will view the senior slideshow, participate in a second graduation rehearsal, and receive their graduation tickets. Following these events, graduates are invited to attend the end of year picnic where senior t-shirts will be distributed.  All events should wrap up around noon.

This year Senior Dues were set at $75.  Thank you to everyone who has paid. If you have not paid your Senior Dues yet, please pay through myschoolbucks.com (preferred) or by check made out to James Madison High School (JMHS), which can be dropped off at Door 1 or mailed to the school. Senior dues cover senior class events (such as senior breakfast, end of year picnic, etc.), a senior class t-shirt, and all graduation expenses associated with a live ceremony at DAR (such as cap and gown, diploma and covers, programs etc.).  Senior dues do not cover the cost of the optional senior Kings Dominion Trip on May 27, which will require a separate activities fee that will be communicated closer to the date.

Everyone’s cooperation is needed to ensure a dignified ceremony. Each graduate deserves the same level of recognition and respect.  Therefore, caps and gowns must be free of messages, and students should not bring noisemakers, beach balls, balloons, or other objects that might diminish this very important event.  If you choose to bring a cell phone, please turn it off during the ceremony. DAR Constitution Hall provides security for their events and will immediately escort any violators from the ceremony.

In keeping with the dignity of the ceremony, graduates should dress professionally.  Examples of appropriate dress include dress shirt with tie, dress or blouse, khaki or dark slacks (no shorts), dress shoes (no boots or sandals), and no sneakers, flip-flops, or T-shirts.

The FCPS dress code is still enforced, as this is a school event. 

Caps and gowns will be distributed to seniors on Wednesday, May 25. Please be aware that all financial obligations including parking fines, outstanding Senior Class Dues, etc. must be cleared in order for students to receive their cap, gown, and graduation tickets.  Payment for financial obligations may be brought to Brittany Allen (@email) in the main office.

Each graduate will receive five (5) guest tickets (graduates do not need a ticket) at graduation rehearsal on May 31.  All guests must have a ticket to enter Constitution Hall.  Guests without tickets will not be permitted to enter the building by the Security Staff of Constitution Hall.   

We realize that some graduates may need more than five (5) guest tickets while others may need fewer tickets.  Families can make arrangements to give tickets to others as needed.  Additionally, requests for one (1) additional ticket can be made through this Google Form. There are a limited number of extra tickets that will be available until all are distributed.

Update 3/2/22: All additional tickets have been requested and the Google form has been closed.

If special seating is needed for someone with a disability or other mobility issues, please contact Erin Kennedy at @email to arrange for special accommodations by May 20, 2022.  Each disabled guest will need a ticket that will count toward the five-ticket (5) limit.  If necessary, one adult may sit with the guest requiring special seating.    

The doors at Constitution Hall will open at 9:00 a.m. for guests.  The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. It is important for guests to arrive early as doors to the hall will close temporarily at 9:55 a.m. and will not reopen until after the processional.  The two closest parking lots are Colonial Parking, located at 1800 G Street, NW and Diplomat Parking, located at 1776 G Street, NW.  The closest metro stop is Farragut West; it is about a seven block walk from this stop to Constitution Hall.  Guests must use the doors on 18th street to enter the building.  Please allow ample time to arrive as DC traffic and street closings can be unpredictable. 

Parking can be reserved in advance by visiting the website www.ecolonial.com.  The two closest lots are at 1800 G St. NW and 1776 G Street NW.

Handicap parking is limited.  DAR Constitution Hall access for persons with mobility disabilities is through the entrance doors on D Street. The ramp on D Street may be accessed by vehicles for dropping off patrons with mobility disabilities. The D Street ramp is at the lobby level. There is no parking on D Street Drive.  Families should plan on dropping off members with mobility disabilities and then parking in a nearby lot.

Graduates must be at DAR Constitution Hall by no later than 9:15 a.m.  Graduates are expected to provide their own transportation to DAR. If a graduate or their family does not have a means of transportation, they should contact their counselor and the school will assist with transportation in these cases. Graduates will not be able to carry items into Constitution Hall. All items, including purses, should be left in vehicles or with families. 

A professional photographer will photograph each graduate as they receive their diploma.  Within 7-10 days of the ceremony, a link will be available on the Madison website to view and order pictures.  Parent photographers must remain in their seats; the use of tripods is not permitted.

A professional videographer will record the entire ceremony including when graduates receive their diploma.  Order information to purchase a download or DVD of the ceremony is available through this link.

For those interested, graduation announcements and other graduation-related merchandise may be purchased from the Balfour website.