GRADUATION DAY PROCEDURES 

For Students Wearing a Dress or Skirt

Dress: School Appropriate Dress

• Color and pattern must not be obscene, fluorescent, or be able to be seen through the gown (which will be green)

• Prom/party dresses and evening wear are not appropriate for graduation

• The skirt/dress must be school appropriate, not longer than your gown, not show at the top of your gown, and be no more than 3 inches above the knee

• School appropriate sleeveless dresses must have straps at least 2 inches across the shoulder

• No Strapless gowns

• Skirt/Blouse:  Business Casual—a colored skirt that follows the same criteria above and solid white dress shirt

• Jumpsuits and pantsuits that are longer than the gown must be solid; they cannot have pinstripes or designs lower than the gown hem

Shoes:  Dark colored or neutral shoes. Sandals with a heel strap are permitted

• Flip Flops are NOT appropriate for graduation

• High heels are permissible, but please remember that you will be doing a lot of walking and climbing up and down stairs

For Students Wearing a Shirt and Pants

Shirt:  Plain white button-up shirt with a collar

• Polo shirts are NOT appropriate

Pants:  Solid dark or khaki dress slacks

• Cargo Pockets, Jeans, Shorts, and Other Non-Dress Pants are NOT appropriate

• Jumpsuits and pantsuits that are longer than the gown must be solid; they cannot have pinstripes or designs lower than the gown hem

Shoes:  Solid black, navy, brown, or tan dress shoes 

• Sneakers, flip flops, sandals, boots, and other non-dress shoes are NOT appropriate

• Boat shoes are permissible if leather and un-scuffed

Socks: Designs are acceptable if worn under pants and must not be obscene

Tie: All ties, including bowties are acceptable as long as color and pattern are not obscene, florescent, or able to be seen THROUGH the gown (which will be green)

Student outfits will be checked at our first graduation rehearsal. Students should plan to wear their full outfit including shoes, accessories, cap, gown, and tassel at this time. 

• All participating graduates must have an official CCHS cap and gown unit (which includes a tassel) purchased from Jostens in order to participate in the ceremony. 

• Students MAY borrow a cap and gown from a friend or sibling who recently graduated from CCHS, but will still need to purchase a tassel for their graduation year. 

• Caps and Gowns may be purchased by visiting https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1052133/Central-Cabarrus-High-School/ 

• Caps may not be decorated for the ceremony. Students will not be allowed to wear a decorated cap, and if another cap is not available, they will not be allowed to particiate in the ceremony.

Students MAY NOT decorate their caps for the graduation ceremony

• Summa Cum Laude (Gold Cord) - 4.320+ GPA - See Guidance for details

• Magna Cum Laude (Blue Cord) - 4.0 - 4.319 GPA - See Guidance for details

• Cum Laude (Red Cord) - 3.625 - 3.999 GPA - See Guidance for details 

• STEM Pathway 2 and 3 Graduates (Gold Stole with STEM Emblem) - See Caligan for details

• STEM Pathway 3 Graduates (STEM Lamp of Learning) - See Caligan for details

• AP Capstone (Green & White Cord) - See Moody for details

• National Honor Society (White & Blue Stole) - See Hannigan for details

• National STEM Honors Society (Green & Gold Cord) - See Caligan for details

• National Technical Honor Society (Purple and Silver Cord) - See Hill for details

• National Arts Honor Society (Yellow, Red, & Blue Cord) - See Moore for details 

• National Thespians Honor Society (Blue and Gold Cord) - See Coley for details

• Tri-M Music Honor Society (Pink Cord) - See Price for details

• Kitty Hawk Air Society (Silver Cord) - See Carmona for details

• Phi Theta Kappa (Blue and Gold Cord) - RCCC or other College Dual Enrollment

• BETA Society (Black and Gold Cord) - See Hardeman for details 

• Mu Alpha Theta (Light Blue and Gold Cord) - See Heath for details

• NC Governor’s School (Blue and Gold Cord) 

No other cords and stoles may be worn to the graduation ceremony. Any cords and stoles that are worn to the cermeony will be removed before students may enter the arena for graduation. 

If you believe that cord or stole has been left off this list in error, please contact Ms. Moody directly.

• Each graduate will be given ten (10) tickets during our second graduation rehearsal at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center. 

  • Students who are unable to come to rehearsal for valid and approved reasons may pick up tickets from Ms. Moody in room 208 AFTER rehearsal. Tickets will not be given out early. 

• Extra tickets ARE NOT available, but you are welcome to ask other seniors for extra tickets, etc. 

ARRIVAL TIMES

• Graduation will take place on TBD at TBD at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center (4751 State Hwy 49, Concord, NC 28025) 

• Students should report to the BACK entrance of the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center promptly at TBD wearing their full graduation outfit including accessories, shoes, caps, gowns, tassels, cords, and stoles

• The front doors will open for guests at TBD

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• GRADUATES AND PARENTS, PLEASE REMEMBER that the following items are PROHIBITED FROM THE PREMISIS: 

  • Noisemakers, Whistles, Airhorns, Bells, etc.

  • Balloons, Posters, and Banners

  • Glass (Vases, etc.)

  • Tobacco, Cigarettes, Vaping Paraphernalia, etc.

  • Alcohol

  • Weapons: Guns, Knives, etc.

• EVERYONE (both guests and graduates) will go through security before entering the Arena, including a wand and bag search. Please make sure that you do not have any prohibited items. 

BEFORE THE CEREMONY

• Students will check in with their homeroom advisors when they arrive at the arena.

• Please be on time and refrain from bringing personal items like purses into the graduate area. These items will be checked with your homeroom advisor, but we would prefer not to be responsible for your personal items if we don't need to. 

• Your phones can be checked in with your advisor as they are small and will fit into your graduate envelope, which will be returned to you after the ceremony. 

DURING THE CEREMONY

• Students, PLEASE remember that you are receiving your DIPLOMA COVER when you walk across the stage. Your actual High School diploma is backstage with your homeroom advisor (or whoever checks you in) and CAN BE withheld from you in the event that you cause a deliberate disturbance to the ceremony. 

• Please remember that there should be no cell phones, interruptions, or inappropriate behavior during the ceremony. 

AFTER THE CEREMONY

• When the graduation ceremony concludes, you will return to the backstage area where you will check out with your homeroom advisor and receive an envelope that contains your diploma and important information regarding your high school transcripts, as well as any personal items that you did not keep on your during the ceremony. 

• As much as we love you and want to celebrate you, our graduation ceremony is one of many taking place at the arena that day.