Graduation is more than just a ceremony for our seniors at the end of the year. There are many exciting events and opportunities to capture memories during this milestone event in your student’s life. Please use this page to stay informed about all the important details surrounding the graduation season.  

Dear, Wickenburg High School & Wickenburg Virtual Academy Graduates:

Congratulations!  After countless hours of hard work and commitment, you are just a few short months from receiving your high school diploma. We look forward to celebrating this proud moment with you and your family in the coming activities, culminating in the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

Graduation will take place on Thursday May 21, 2026 at the Wrangler Stadium at 7:30 PM, weather permitting. Please arrive early as the processional will start promptly at 7:30 PM. There will be limited reserved seating on the field for parents/guardians of graduates and stadium seating open for all other guests and attendees. Each senior will be given four (4) tickets for the field seating. A limited number of extra tickets will be available to accommodate special circumstances. Extra tickets must be requested from Mrs. Schafer at: sschafer@wusd9.org and they will be distributed on the last day of graduation practice. Graduates are to report to the concession stand by the Field House on the night of the ceremony at 6:30 P.M. to line up for the processional.  We ask our graduates to be mindful of the expectations set forth by the Governing Board and the Wickenburg High School Administration as follows:

• Graduation is a formal event and graduates and their guests are to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the seriousness of the occasion. Beach balls, horns, noisemakers and other forms of excessive celebration are not allowed by graduates.
• Students may not change the appearance of their cap & gown. Young men must wear collared shirts, dress pants, dress shoes and a tie.  Young ladies should wear a dress or slacks and blouse. You may not wear athletic shoes, flip-flops/slides, shorts, t-shirts or denim/jeans. 
• Students who are not dressed appropriately or who have made alterations to their cap and gown may forfeit the privilege of participating in the commencement ceremony.

 We appreciate your support in making this event formal and respectful to everyone involved. Clothing will be inspected prior to the ceremony. 

Mandatory graduation practice will be held prior to the event during finals week. We will rehearse the entire ceremony: lining up, processional, appropriate times to stand and sit, receiving the diploma, and moving the tassels. Students who do not participate in scheduled practices will forfeit the privilege of participating in the commencement ceremony. Also, please note that students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from scheduled practices.

We ask that everyone remain in their seats, or use the designated area on the field, while taking pictures during the ceremony to avoid disrupting the ceremony or blocking other spectators’ views.   Instead, you are encouraged to take pictures of your graduate before and after the ceremony.  Packages of prints taken by a professional photographer will be available for purchase on the photographer’s website.

After the ceremony, diploma certificates will be distributed in the concession area. Students who owe textbooks, late fees, or other requirements for graduation will not be permitted to participate in graduation if their obligations have not been met prior to May 14th.

 The Senior Baccalaureate is scheduled for Monday, May 18th at the Del Webb Center 7 PM.

 A Grad Night party hosted by the Senior Parent Committee will follow the ceremony on May 21st (Location & Time TBD).

Respectfully, 

Garrett Maier

Principal WHS/WVA

Senior Schedule of Events 2026

Prom - TBD

Senior Awards: May 6, 2026 at the Del E. Webb Performing Arts Center

Senior Finals: May 12, 13, & 14, 2026 *These are full days of school and will be tested in two periods per day. 

Baccalaureate: Date & Time TBD at the Del Webb Performing Arts Center

Graduation Practice: TBD                          

Graduation: Thursday, May 21st  -  7:30 pm  -  Wrangler Stadium