Graduation Celebration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Graduation Celebration?
It is an elegant, outrageously fun, drug & alcohol-free party that begins immediately after commencement and lasts all night long!
How is this celebration different from other grad nights? For more than 40 years, Claremont High has presented exciting and relatively unique post-graduation festivities that are far different from grad nights held by most other schools. Instead of just sending our graduates to a theme park or public events center, they'll spend the evening together with their CHS classmates and parents at a party reserved just for them. The all-night event is a safe and extravagant celebration that is well worth the investment, as evidenced by its long tradition at Claremont High. This really is a night the graduates will remember for the rest of their lives.
What do I wear to the party?
Suggested attire for the dinner portion of the party is “California casual.” Short dresses for the girls, and slacks with a collared shirt for the guys (ties optional.) Sport coats for the dads, and a dress or pant suit for the moms. A light sweater is also suggested for all ladies.
Graduates are to bring comfortable, casual clothes for the after-party in a backpack that will be checked at your arrival of the dinner party in the backpack check-in area. No backpacks are allowed in the dinner-dance. Please be advised that ALL bags will be searched for items that are not permitted.
Can I sit with my friends at the party?
Yes, if you plan ahead and take the right steps. You will be seated with your parents during the dinner portion of the evening. There will be room at the table for two friends and their parents. When you complete your reservation, you can note the friends that you wish to sit with. Those requested must have completed their ticket purchase and, preference in seating will be given in the order of paid reservations. Seating assignment is only for the dinner portion of the party.
Do my parents need to attend?
YES! Graduates MUST be accompanied with a parent, step-parent, or an adult guardian. If it is impossible for your parent or guardian to attend, you may petition to come with the parent of a friend who is also attending. Your transportation will need to be approved ahead of time. Students of blended families are allowed to have both sets of parents attend. However, no additional family members can be accommodated.
May out-of-town relatives or other members of my family attend?
No. This celebration is for the students and their parents/step-parents/legal guardian. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate other guests.
When do the parents leave the party?
All parents, unless they are designated after-party chaperones, are requested to leave the party at midnight.
Can my parents leave at any time prior to midnight?
If your parents must leave before midnight, they may. However, for security reasons no one will be readmitted.
Can I leave the party before it ends?
For safety reasons, all graduates must remain at the party until the designated time to leave, unless they leave with their parents prior to midnight. If a graduate chooses to leave with his/her parents, the graduate MUST sign out.
How do I get to the party location?
Each graduate MUST ride to the party with his/her parent(s) or previously designated adult chaperon. Graduates may not drive to the location by themselves, as you will be transported back to CHS the following morning by bus.
How will I know where to go?
Information packets and maps to the location will be handed out at CHS immediately following the commencement ceremony. Graduates with paid reservations and whose parent or the previously designated adult chaperone accompanying them is present will receive a packet.
Where will the party be held?
It's a secret until after the commencement ceremony, because this night is only for CHS graduates and their parents (or guardians). In the past, the graduation celebration has been held at various locations in Southern California -- all within an hour's drive or less.
How do I get home from the party?
Bus transportation will be provided for all graduates from the site back to CHS arriving at approximately 6 a.m. It is strongly suggested that parents pick up their graduate at that time, as they will be very, very tired. Cars may be left in the CHS parking lot overnight. Claremont Police will periodically monitor the parking lot throughout the evening.
When do I need to have my ticket paid in full?
Payments should be made as soon as possible to allow the committee to properly plan. Prices for the 2011 Celebration will increase Sept. 1, 2010. Money may be sent anytime to the Class Treasurer. Partial payments are accepted. Tickets may be purchased by cash, check or credit card through Pay Pal. Look for payment tables at Back to School Night, Senior Parent Night and Open House.
Why should I pay in advance?
Aside from saving money on the ticket price and having a better opportunity to sit with the people you choose, there is benefit in paying early to help spread out some of your senior year expenses. Among the other senior year costs are senior pictures, yearbooks, ASB cards, college application fees, college entrance exams, college visits, dance expenses, senior breakfast, graduation announcements, cap and gown and more.
What if my family is experiencing an extreme financial hardship?
A small number of scholarships are available for students only. Requests for financial assistance will be handled confidentially and discretely through the CHS Health Office. All applications are due by March 31. Celebration Chairmen will notify recipients by telephone no later than April 30.
Can I get a refund if I am unable to attend the party?
It depends. A written request for a refund must be submitted to the Graduation Celebration Chairmen before May 1. Requests will be reviewed and considered on an individual basis and will be approved only if funds remain after all party expenses have been paid. However, there are no guarantees for refunds. Requests after the cut-off date will not be considered.
Will I have fun at the Graduation Celebration: