Graduation

**UPDATE**
 
We wish to thank all Seniors and their families for another amazing graduation ceremony!
 
If you graduated from SCHS but did not participate in the commencement ceremony, you may pick up your diploma from the front office of the school on M-F, 7:45AM-4PM. Summer hours are from M-Thursday, 8AM-11AM.
 
Lastly, we look forward to next year's commencement exercises and to celebrating the Class of 2026!
Stewarts Creek High School Graduation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Information:
What is the date, time, and location of SCHS Class of 2026 Graduation?
  • TBD
  • Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University
What is the date, time, and location for Graduation Rehearsal?
  • TBD
  • Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University
Are tickets required for the ceremony?
  • No, however, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors of Murphy Center usually open around 60 minutes prior to the ceremony.
Do students have to participate in graduation in order to graduate and/or receive his/her diploma?
  • No
If a student chooses to participate in the ceremony, what are the requirements?
  • Students must order a cap, gown, tassel, diploma, and diploma cover from Jostens (see contact information below).
  • Students must participate in the graduation practice and must stay for the entire practice.
  • Students must meet the Senior Attendance Policy in order to be able to participate in the graduation ceremony. This requirement is met when a Senior has ten (10) or fewer unexcused absences from school (in the entire Senior year). Additionally, parent notes and other excuse notes must be turned into the attendance office within five (5) days of your child's return to school for the unexcused days to be changed to an excused absence.
If my student graduated in December, may s/he participate in the May graduation ceremony?
  • Yes. S/he must complete the required items from the list above and inform their counselor of her/his intention to participate.
If a student chooses to NOT participate in the graduation ceremony, what are the requirements?
  • Inform Mr. Ryan Denton (Orange Hall Assistant Principal's Office) by email or in person of his/her intention to NOT participate.
  • Students must order and pay for a diploma and diploma cover from Jostens (see contact information below).
  • Students may pick up the diploma from SCHS on the school-day AFTER the graduation ceremony.
If a student does NOT meet the Senior Attendance Policy requirements, how do s/he receive her/his diploma?
  • Students who have more than ten (10) unexcused absences from school during their Senior year, will be able to pick up their diplomas in the counseling office as early as the school day following the graduation ceremony, as long as all other graduation requirements are met.
If a student will complete the graduation requirements during summer school, may s/he participate in the May graduation ceremony?
  • No. County policy permits students who finish high school during summer school to graduate only during the August special graduation.
How long does the graduation ceremony typically last?
  • 90 minutes
Will the graduation ceremony be streamed live on the internet?
  • SCHS plans to stream the graduation ceremony live on the internet. A link will appear on the school's website to redirect to the live link. 
What is the dress code for graduation rehearsal?
  • Students do NOT wear cap and gowns for rehearsal/practice but must still wear school-appropriate clothing.
What is the dress code for the graduation ceremony?
  • All students must wear the black cap, gown, and tassel. Ladies should throw away the white collar insert in their package.
  • Dress pants, collared shirts, and dress shoes for men. Dress skirt, dress, or dress pants, and dress shoes for ladies. No jeans or casualwear. No tennis shoes.
  • No specific colors are required for clothes/shoes.
  • Caps may NOT be decorated.
What special regalia items may be worn at graduation?
  • Only SCHS-approved regalia may be worn at graduation. This includes the following:
  • Graduate with Distinction - red stole (purchased from Jostens in May by student/parent - $15)
  • Graduate with Honors - platinum cord (purchased from Jostens in May by student/parent - $10)
  • Work Ethic Distinction Graduate - green cord (provided to earning students by Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce)
  • Valedictorian Medallion - provided by SCHS
  • Students are NOT permitted to wear regalia that may have been awarded from an outside society, company, or "club". This includes groups like the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)
  • Students are permitted to wear school-approved, school-affiliated club/group regalia. This includes ONLY the following groups: National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, Student Council, Beta Club, Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, DECA, FFA, French Honor Society, HOSA, Thespian Society, JROTC, NJCL, Spanish Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Work Ethic Distinction, PCT, CCMA, and SkillsUSA. Students should talk with the club/group sponsor for more information.
Jostens:
Must a senior purchase a cap and gown from Jostens in order to participate in the graduation ceremony?
  • Yes. Seniors are required to wear a Stewarts Creek cap and gown, and the gowns for the Class of 2026 are customized with red stripes on the sleeves. Because this is our fourth year of custom gowns, students may use a gown from the last three years (from a sibling or friend) but MUST bring the gown to Mr. Denton to determine whether it conforms to the proper fit.
May I purchase a cap and gown from a company other than Jostens?
  • No. Jostens is the company that Stewarts Creek works with for graduation regalia, and a Senior participating in the ceremony must purchase their cap and gown from them.
What information does Jostens need when my Senior orders his/her cap and gown?
  • Jostens will need your Senior's height and weight, name, and mailing address.
What is the cost of the cap and gown, tassel, diploma, and diploma cover (the basic items REQUIRED for the ceremony)?
  • The cost of the basic package (cap, gown, tassel, diploma, and diploma cover) is $TBD.
May I donate my child's used cap and gown for others to use in future ceremonies?
  • Absolutely! You may leave it in the front office during normal school hours after the graduation ceremony.
Murphy Center:
Are there special seating areas for the handicapped and those in wheelchairs?
  • Yes. Murphy Center is ADA-compliant. For those with family members who may need ADA-accommodations, there is an entrance on the northwest side of Murphy Center. From the Greenland Drive parking lot, please proceed down the right-hand sidewalk (between the Murphy Center and the tennis courts). Once inside, turn left at the first hallway and travel to the end. On the left-hand wall (around a small corner), there is an elevator that will take you to the seating area. In front of the main seats, there are a number of aluminum platforms for you or your family members. We do ask that you avoid having the entire family sit in these areas, as they are reserved for wheelchairs. Families may choose to sit in front of these areas, or behind them in the wooden bleachers.
Will there be locked and/or guarded areas for seniors to leave personal belongings during the ceremony?
  • No. We advise that seniors leave all personal belongings with family members.
May parents and family members come on the floor before, during, or after the ceremony to take pictures?
  • No. To make this a lasting memory, Loveless Fine Photography will be taking pictures during the diploma reception. You may order these online at: http://www.lovelessphotography.net/ and choosing Gallery 3.
  • Also, parents should ONLY use the upper-level doors and should NOT be coming in with students on the lower level. 
Are there items/behaviors that MTSU does NOT permit in the Murphy Center?
  • Yes. Balloons, aerosol ("Silly") string, posters, and air horns are NOT permitted in Murphy Center.
  • Additionally, MTSU is a smoking-free campus, therefore, there is to be no smoking in or around the building.
Graduation Dress Code:
What is the dress code for graduation rehearsal?
  • Students do NOT wear cap and gowns for rehearsal/practice, but must still wear school-appropriate clothing
What is the dress code for the graduation ceremony?
  • All students must wear the black cap, gown, and tassel. Anyone who received a white collar insert in the package should throw it away. We do NOT use the optional white collar insert
  • Dress pants, collared shirts, and dress shoes for men. Dress skirt, dress, or dress pants, and dress shoes for ladies. No jeans or casualwear. No tennis shoes
  • No specific colors are required for clothes/shoes
  • Caps may NOT be decorated
What special regalia items may be worn at graduation?
  • Only SCHS-approved regalia may be worn at graduation. This includes the following:
  • Graduate with Distinction - red stole (purchased from Jostens in May by student/parent - $15)
  • Graduate with Honors - platinum cord (purchased from Jostens in May by student/parent - $10)
  • Work Ethic Distinction Graduate - green cord (provided to earning students by the Chamber of Commerce)
  • Valedictorian/Salutatorian Medallion - provided by SCHS
  • Students are NOT permitted to wear regalia that may have been awarded from an outside society, company, or "club". This includes groups like the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)
  • Students are permitted to wear school-approved, school-affiliated club/group regalia. This includes ONLY the following groups: National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, Student Council, Beta Club, Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, DECA, FFA, French Honor Society, HOSA, Thespian Society, JROTC, NJCL, Spanish Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Work Ethic Distinction, PCT, CCMA, and SkillsUSA. Students should talk with the club/group sponsor for more information.
 
Dress code:
  • Gentlemen: cap and gown and dress pants, collared shirt (button-down or polo style), and dress shoes
  • Ladies: cap and gown and dress, skirt, or dress pants and dress shoes
  • (Hey Dude shoes and dress boots ARE permitted). No jeans or flip flops will be permitted.
Graduation Leadership Team:
Senior Informational Sheets