Cap & Gown

Ordering Your Cap & Gown

Every senior must have an official Cumberland Academy cap, gown, and tassel to walk in the graduation ceremony. Students may not take part in the ceremony without them.

Cumberland uses Herff Jones for graduation purchases:     CUMBERLAND ACADEMY HS STUDENTS & PARENTS LINK 

Ordering your cap and gown does not mean that you are 100% cleared for graduation. Students must earn their required course credits and complete the required graduation activities in order to graduate. Please review the graduation requirements page and fulfill any missing requirements!

Cap and Gown FAQ's

How will I receive my cap and gown? Herff Jones will mail your cap and gown order to Cumberland Academy High School

When is the deadline to order cap and gowns? December 1 is the deadline to order cap and gowns. 

Do we have to purchase anything other than a cap and gown with tassle? No, you do not need to order anything other than the cap, gown, and tassle. If you and your family would like to purchase other items, you are welcome to!

Decorating Your Cap

Seniors are welcome to decorate their graduation cap! Every design must be approved by administration before you decorate. The Class of 2027 deadline to turn in your design will be posted soon.

Design guidelines (you must follow all of them):

• Only the TOP-facing side of the cap may be decorated

• Designs must be school appropriate

• No profanity, drug or alcohol references, hate speech, or inappropriate images

• No political or offensive messages

• Decorations must not block anyone's view or hang over the sides of the cap

If a cap does not match the approved design, the student may be asked to remove the decoration before the ceremony or may not be able to walk the stage.

Graduation Dress Code

All seniors must follow the Cumberland Academy High School graduation dress code.

Men (required):

• Dress shoes or dress boots (no flip flops, sandals, slides, Crocs, or sneakers)

• Dress socks

• Dress slacks (no jeans or shorts)

• Belt or suspenders, but not both

• Collared, button-down dress shirt (short or long sleeve)

• A tie: neck tie, bow tie, or bolo tie

• Well-groomed hair and facial hair

• Optional: a dress suit jacket or dress vest

Women (required):

• No strapless, halter top, or backless dresses

• Shoulders and back should be covered, with an appropriate neckline

• Dresses and skirts must be an appropriate length. Dress pants are also fine. A student whose dress or skirt is too short will be asked to go home and change.

• Dressy shoes are required, such as flats or dressy open-toed shoes. Sandals must have a strap on the back of the heel. No flip flops, casual sandals, slides, Crocs, or sneakers.

All students:

• Students may not take part in the ceremony without a cap, gown, and tassel.

• Seniors may not have cell phones with them during the ceremony.

• Students will be asked to remove anything that was not issued by CAHS. The only exception is collegiate honors approved by campus administration.

Graduation Cords, Stoles & Medals

Seniors can earn cords, stoles, and medals to wear at graduation. Here is what each one means:

• Pink cord: 4 Fine Arts credits in the same fine art (example: 4 years of band)

• Red cord (STEM): 4 credits in each core subject, including Algebra II, Chemistry, and Physics, plus 5 years of math or science (2 of those courses must have Algebra II as a prerequisite)

• Light blue cord (Arts & Humanities): 5 years of social studies, 4 years of a language other than English, and 4 years of fine arts

• Purple cord (Multidisciplinary): 4 years in each of the 4 core subjects, including English IV and Chemistry or Physics

• Green cord (Business & Industry): Completed CTE pathway in Culinary, Business, or Graphic Design (4 credits, with at least 1 at level 3 or 4)

• Orange cord (Public Service): Completed CTE pathway in Law Enforcement or Health Science (4 credits, with at least 1 at level 3 or 4)

• White cord (Distinguished Level of Achievement): Earned an endorsement and passed Algebra II

• Gold cord: Top 10 percent of the class

• Gold medal: Dual credit, with at least 15 college credit hours

• Red, white, and blue cord: Military

• White stole: National Honor Society members

• Blue and gold cord: National Honor Society officers

• Gold stole: Senior class officers

• Purple and silver medallion: National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)

• 5-color ribbon medallion: NTHS for LAPSEN (Law and Public Safety Education Network)

• Cumberland K-12 cord: Students who attended Cumberland Academy from kindergarten through 12th grade

• Lime green cord: Cumberland TLA classes