2027 Graduation Updates

August 6th - Senior class meeting with Jostens - Cap and gown order deadline is August 16th

Order Steps:

1. Visit RhodesGraduation.com

2. Sign Up for Updates HERE

3. PLACE YOUR ORDER

Information will be posted as available...

• Senior/Junior Graduates Meetings

Wednesday, December ??  at 10:30am (Mandatory) in the Auditorium

Friday, March ?? at 10:30am (Mandatory) in the Auditorium/Cap&Gown Pick Up

Thursday, May ? at 10:30am (Mandatory) in the Main Gym - Graduation Class Photo with Cap/Gown - the class photo can be purchased through www.strawbridge.net, click on oerder pictures and yearbooks and enter the following code:  FM504291.  The class photo is $12.00 each + S&H - $3.00

Thursday, May 12 & 13 - Final exams graduates and Junior Marshals.

Friday, May 14 - Last day for graduates and Junior Marshals.

Thursday, May ?? - 6:00pm student arrival  for  Senior Awards Day which will begin at 6:30pm in the  Auditorium  

Monday, May ?? - Class of 2026 Senior Walk at Lugoff Elementary - you must have signed up using the link that was emailed on April 7.

                                         Class of 2026 Senior Walk at Blaney Elementary - you must have signed up using the link that was emailed on April 8.

                                          Class of 2026 Senior Walk at Doby's Mill Elementary - you must have signed up through amanda.cook@kcsdschools.net.

                                  Class of 2026 Senior Walk at Wateree Elementary - you must have signed up using QR code mailed out May 1.

Monday, May 08 - Parchment processing for Work In Progress transcripts will STOP.  We will RESUME processing Final transcript requests on June 15.

                                              This means if you request your transcript on May 18 we can't  process that request until final transcripts are available on June 15, so you don't need

                                               to keep submitting a request.  It will be processed once Final Transcripts are uploaded into Parchment in June. 

Wednesday, May 19 - Graduation Rehearsal at 8:30 on the football field 

Thursday, May 20 - Graduation at 7:30pm

Please contact Rhea Faris or Jeff Carraway if you can't attend these mandatory meetings.

Mr. Johnny Deal will be at graduation taking photos of graduates with their diploma covers prior to processing out to the graduation ceremony.  Parents will have the opportunity to purchase these photos from Mr. Deal's website.

This year the graduation program will be electronic.  Hard copy graduation programs (2 each) will be placed in your graduates' diploma packet that they pick up after recessing off the field.

If you have questions about senior pictures, please contact the Customer Service department via the Live Chat at www.strawbridge.net (available 8am to 5pm ET) or by emailing customerservice@strawbridge.net. 

Later order questions for Jostens/Rhodes Graduation:  office@rhodesgraduation.com 

• Order your Graduation supplies (cap, gown, stole, tassel, diploma cover) must be ordered as soon as possible.  If you would just like the basic package which is $78 you can click on the following link:  Graduation Attire Order Link   Additional graduation products can also be ordered.  

• Graduation supply pick up will be March 19 from 11:00-1:40pm.  Jostens will be in the auditorium for you to pick up your supplies after the senior meeting. (Items included in this pick up will be your cap/gown/Vstole/tassel and any other items you may have ordered.  The diploma cover comes to us and you are handed that at graduation when you walk across the stage.)

• Graduation will be live streamed through our District Office Youtube channel.   All the information is available on our website at www.kcsdschools.net/graduation.  

• Graduation Rehearsal - Wednesday, May 19, 2027 at 8:30am in the LEHS stadium.  Tickets, cords, and honor regalia will be handed out at graduation rehearsal on Wednesday, May 19.  Please email donna.noel@kcsdschools.net if you have questions.  

• Graduation will be held on Thursday, May 20 at 7:30pm in the LEHS stadium.  All guests (including infants) must have a ticket to enter.  Each graduate will receive 10 tickets that may be used to enter the stadium, however if it rains graduation will be moved to Friday, May 21 at 7:30pm.   Programs will be electronic this year.  There will be QR codes posted and a QR code will be in the graduates' regalia package received at rehearsal.  All graduates will receive 2 hard copy programs in their diploma packet.

Graduates Final Exams -

Wednesday, May 12 - Final Exams Spring

Thursday, May 13 - Final Exams Spring and last day of school for graduates and Junior Marshalls

Senior Award Night - Thursday, May ?? at 6:30pm in the Auditorium

Below is a list of some cords and/or regalia that can be earned throughout high school.  If eligible, you will receive these cords at graduation rehearsal... 

Navy Cord - Distinguished Honors (GPA of 4.3 or higher)

Gold Cord - Honors (GPA of 3.9-4.29)

Medal - Kershaw County School District Academic Honors Medal

• The Academic Honors Medal will be awarded to students who have successfully completed all state requirements and earned a total of 28 Carnegie units of credit.   At least two Advanced Placement (AP) courses and/or two dual enrollment courses. A grade point average of 3.9 is required.  Additionally, the medal requires four more units than are required for the basic high school diploma. These required units include an additional unit in science, social science, world language and an elective. The Academic Honors Medal is offered to reward students who have exhibited exceptional academic commitment and performance in preparation for endeavors beyond high school graduation.  This medal is designed to distinguish such students, and serve to motivate other students to strive toward high academic accomplishment.  

White Cord - Major Completer cord (a consecutive path completed; ask your counselor in your senior meeting if you qualify for this cord)

Silver Cord - College and Career Ready

Purple&White Cord - National Technical Honors from WTC

Gold&Blue Cord - National Honors Society 

Teal Cord - Link Crew

Black&Silver Cord - Student Council

Red/White/Blue Cord - Military-must present signed orders to Student Services

Purple Cord  - students whose parents are in the military

Red/White Cord - Unified Champion Schools/Be A Fan 

Pink Cord - Choir/Band

Navy Stole - ACE Program Completer

Blue/Green Cord - Teacher Cadet 

Tri-Color Cord (dark green, blue, gold) - MLL English Proficiency 

Blue & Gold Cord - Quill & Scroll Journalism Honor Society