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Graduation Regalia
First correspondence regarding caps and gowns will be sent out by Mrs. Wentzel to all seniors in mid-late September of the student's senior year. At this time, we collect information relating to the cap & gown:
Cap & Gown Size: Height and approximate weight determine the cap & gown size.
Cap & Gown Payment: The Cap & Gowns are purchased by each student. The price is $25. Payment can be cash or check only. Previous cap & gowns cannot be used because styles & dye lots may differ. Financial hardships should be directed to the student's school counselor.
Cap & Gown Distribution: To minimize the risk for lost items, caps and gowns are distributed to students after the final graduation rehearsal, before the Senior Stroll experience.
It is essential that seniors respond to these emails/forms in a timely manner so that the appropriate caps, gowns, cords, and stoles may be ordered.
Prospective graduates will receive all of their graduation attire (i.e. cap, gown, tassel, honor cords, stole, etc.) in a package after the final graduation rehearsal, just prior to the Senior Stroll.
Graduate caps and gowns come in one of three variations depending on the graduate's specific role in the ceremony. The cap and gown color combinations include:
Navy Blue Cap and Gown: The celebratory outfit for our PHS graduates. The vast majority of graduates will wear the navy blue cap and gown combination.
White Cap and Gown: This cap and gown combination is reserved for students that have been selected by their peers to serve as class officers for the outgoing class.
Red Cap and Gown: As part of the PHS graduation tradition, two student-speakers are selected to provide keynote speeches during the ceremony. One student is democratically selected by the graduating class, the other is selected by the PHS faculty. These students wear the red caps and gowns on graduation day.
It is imperative that students take good care of their graduation regalia as there are no extra caps, gowns, honor cords, or stoles available.
If there happen to be extra tassels (no guarantees), they may be purchased for $5. These extra tassels do not have a date charm. Cash Only is accepted.
Graduation Cap Decor
The flat surface on the cap (mortarboard) may be decorated. Decor on the mortarboard must adhere to the school dress code and may not rise more than 0.5” off of the mortarboard. For more information on the school dress code, please click here.
If graduates have any questions related to their planned decoration, they are strongly encouraged to speak with the principal prior to decorating their cap.
Please note that caps are required to participate in the graduation ceremony. The administration reserves the right to prohibit graduates who do not adhere to this guidance from participating in the graduation ceremony.
Diplomas & Award Seals
Diploma forms are delivered in September including graduate, height, weight, and are expected to be returned as soon as possible. Students must complete this form in order to have the appropriate cap and gown ordered.
Prospective graduates are encouraged to use their full, legal name for their diploma with the option of including a middle name (should they have one). Graduates may also include middle initials or a middle name or suffix (Sr. / Jr. / III etc). If a graduate would like a name outside of their legal name printed on their diploma, this request must be clearly outlined on the Diploma Form and approved via a parent/guardian signature. If no form is returned, the default print will include the graduate's first and last name as listed in our student-information system. The name on the diploma is read at graduation and printed in the newspaper.
In accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Education Diploma System, PHS also provides a variety of opportunities for graduates to achieve special RIDE endorsements to go along with our traditional diploma. While these endorsements are not a requirement for graduate, PHS students are strongly encouraged to target one or more of these impressive accolades on their pursuit of academic excellence.
Should a graduate complete the expectations outlined below and be determined eligible to receive a diploma seal/seals, these accolades will be provided during the final week of school via an additional seal certificate.
Commissioners Seal
Commissioners Seal
The Commissioner’s Seal Council Designation certifies that a student is proficient in standards aligned to high school expectations in English Language Arts and Mathematics, as confirmed by external evidence.
The Commissioner’s Seal Council Designation certifies that a student is proficient in standards aligned to high school expectations in English Language Arts and Mathematics, as confirmed by external evidence. To earn a Commissioner’s Seal, students must successfully meet the established benchmark on both an approved ELA assessment and an approved mathematics assessment in order to earn the one Commissioner’s Seal.
RIDE-Approved Guided Pathway Endorsement
RIDE-Approved Guided Pathway Endorsement
The Pathway Endorsement Council Designation certifies that a student has accomplished deep learning in a chosen area of interest and is prepared for employment or further education in a career path. Guided Pathway Endorsement Council Designations were awarded for the first time beginning with the graduating class of 2021.
Guided Pathway Endorsements may be earned in one of seven discipline areas:
Arts and Humanities
Business, Economics, and Data Analytics
Education, Government, and Human Services
Communications, Media, and Film
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Environment and Sustainability
Health and Health Administration
To earn a Pathway Endorsement, students must successfully complete three components: (1) academic study; (2) work-based learning; and (3) application of skills demonstrated through the performance-based diploma assessment.
ACADEMIC STUDY
Students must successfully complete three (3) independent, connected courses, characterized by:
Increased complexity, and complementary or cumulative content
Deep learning with increased level of specialization that builds coherence of the topic through coursework
One or more courses must be advanced or experiential
Two of three courses should be outside of the typical courses for a particular content area or area of study suggested for all students.
WORK-BASED LEARNING
Students must successfully complete a work-based learning experience, characterized by:
Acquisition of knowledge and skills related to the pathway;
Meaningful contact with and opportunities to work alongside professional practitioners in the field; and
Responsibilities, impact, and/ or opportunities to practice in the area of interest or career field that deepens learning of the content area.
This work-based learning experience should provide students with real-world experiences where they can apply and develop their academic, technical, and professional skills. Work-based learning can occur through a variety of different experiences, including internships, apprenticeships, service learning projects, school-based enterprises, and industry projects. See the Governor’s Workforce Board Work-Based Learning Guidance for more information on work-based learning activities, standards and guidance: www.prepare-ri.org/wbl.
DIPLOMA ASSESSMENT
Students must successfully complete a performance-based diploma assessment by aligning their demonstration of knowledge to the topic that they studied. Students must apply and demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained through their pathway coursework and chosen work-based learning experience and reflect on the pathway experience. Students are already expected to complete a performance-based diploma assessment (portfolio senior project/ exhibition, capstone product, etc.) as part of their high school graduation requirements. Tying the performance-based graduation assessment to the Pathway Endorsement area of study links already existing graduation requirements to an evaluation of deep learning and validates personalization. In most cases, it is expected that this pathway-aligned diploma assessment will fulfill the state minimum graduation requirement of one performance-based diploma assessment.
Seal of Bilteracy
Seal of Bilteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy celebrates students who have multilingual competence – a critical skill in today’s global society and an asset that will prepare RI graduates for success in the local and global economy. The Seal of Biliteracy certifies that a student has demonstrated skills in the English language and one or more other world languages. Students earn a Seal of Biliteracy by demonstrating competence in English Language Arts standards as defined by the Commissioner Seal or English Proficiency standards, and nationally recognized world language standards.
To earn a Seal of Biliteracy, students must successfully meet the established benchmark on RIDE-approved assessments in English and another world language. Students may earn either a Silver Seal or a Gold Seal depending on the skill level demonstrated on the assessments. Students must meet the benchmark on both an approved English language assessment and an approved world language assessment in order to earn the Silver Seal of Biliteracy or the Gold Seal of Biliteracy.
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