The Gloucester County School Board unanimously voted to hold the 2026 Gloucester High School graduation ceremony at Kaplan Arena on the campus of the College of William & Mary on Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m.
However, this vote does not guarantee that the college will approve hosting GHS’s graduation.
Since 2020, GHS has held graduation either at the school or at Dukes Stadium, the school’s athletic field. The new tradition started due to social distancing rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, the district would typically reserve Kaplan Arena for graduation.
Community feedback that the district received on the graduation venue indicated that people would prefer an indoor ceremony, particularly those who are elderly or who have disabilities.
Dukes Stadium can accommodate about 4,500 people, while Kaplan should be able to house at least 4,000 guests for the purpose of graduation. The district has not received a firm seating number from the college yet.
“I would anticipate every graduate would be able to get a minimum of 10 tickets,” said Director of Secondary Instruction Dr. Stefan Mygas about graduation guest counts for individual students.
“The limiting factor would be parking,” continued Mygas.
There would be about 1,000 spaces available for the families of the graduates. The seniors would be transported from GHS on eight school buses to Kaplan Arena. This would be a one-way transport as students would be expected to ride home with their families after the ceremony.
“There’s no difference in cost to the family other than having to drive out there,” said Mygas about those who will be attending the graduation. “The cost is to this board.”
During discussion, board member Fred Brewer said that he is concerned with having a Friday night ceremony, citing that it would be inconvenient for working families.
“But then you got that inverse, which is beach week,” mentioned school board member Troy Andersen. “You’re cutting into check-in time on beach week, so either the parents are going to hate you or the kids are going to hate you.”
Many area seniors take a week-long beach vacation after their high school graduation.
“I think that time is not on our side, necessarily, with William & Mary,” said chair Leonne Arsenovic.
The board voted, 6-0, to hold graduation at Kaplan Arena on Sunday, June 7.
This vote does not automatically guarantee that GHS will have its 2026 commencement exercises at Kaplan Arena. The final decision remains with William & Mary.
“If these plans fall through, then the default is Dukes Stadium,” said Vladu.
Plans for graduation should be finalized within the next two to three weeks.