Statement of Policy

A student’s opportunity to participate in the commencement exercises of the District’s graduating class is a privilege.  As such, participation in this ceremony is reserved for those members of the graduating class who have completed all of the State and local requirements for graduation before the date of the ceremony.  Students who complete their requirements after the date of commencement exercises will receive their diploma at that time.

To facilitate this requirement, the following guidelines will be followed:

1. The counselor will inspect each transcript at the end of the junior year and specify in writing, to the junior, the requirements needed to complete graduation.
2. The counselor will, during the year, review with any senior who has received a failing grade, the alternatives available to the student to help him/her meet graduation requirements.
3. Deficiency notices will be sent to parents each grading period by teachers who have seniors who are failing or receiving a D grade.

Organization and Content of Commencement Exercises

The administration shall exercise plenary control over all aspects of any graduation ceremony held within the District.  The school administration may invite graduating students to participate in high school graduation exercises according to academic class standing or class officer status.  Any student who, because of academic class standing, is requested to participate may choose to decline the invitation. 

Students selected to participate may choose to deliver an address, poem, reading, song, musical presentation, or any other pronouncement of their choosing.  The principal shall review and approve the student’s address, poem, reading, song, musical presentation, or any other pronouncement of their choosing prior to its presentation to the audience attending the graduation ceremony to ensure that there is no conflict with the Establishment Clause found in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, The Idaho Constitution, or the laws of the State of Idaho.

Legal Reference:  

                              United States Constitution-1^st Amendment

                              Art. 9, Sec. 6, Idaho Constitution – Religious Test and Teaching in School Prohibited

                              I.C. § 33-1603       Sectarian Instruction Forbidden

                              I.C. § 33-512         Governance of Schools

                              I.C. § 67-5909       Acts Prohibited

Policy History:

Adopted on: May 8, 2012

Revised on: