Indianapolis Public Schools Schedule Virtual Graduation Ceremonies

Indianapolis Public Schools says it will host virtual graduation ceremonies for Arsenal Technical, Crispus Attucks, George Washington and Shortridge high schools next month.

IPS school buildings have been closed since March 12, when the Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett ordered all Marion County public schools to close amidst the coronavirus pandemic, with students completing course work remotely. 

The school district says with the health risks associated with the virus, the district administration — along with input from high school principals and current seniors — decided to replace traditional in-person graduations with online commencement exercises.

“We didn’t make this decision lightly,” IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson, said in a statement. “We assembled an advisory group of high school seniors to get their ideas. In the end, students wanted to mark their graduation, as scheduled, in June and felt a virtual celebration was a fitting option in a time of social distancing.”

Each school will have its own individual virtual ceremony, with many of the unique traditions they have observed over time. Commencements will be pre-recorded and livestreamed on each school's Facebook page for graduates to share with their families and friends.

The ceremonies will take place as follows:

Thursday, June 4

• Crispus Attucks High School – 3 p.m.
• Arsenal Technical High School – 6 p.m.

Friday, June 5

• Shortridge High School – 2 p.m.
• George Washington High School – 6 p.m.

IPS says preparations for the virtual graduations are ongoing and more details will be released in the coming weeks.