Graduation Plans for Class of 2021
Polk County Public Schools’ 2021 graduations will once again feature important safety measures to reduce to spread of coronavirus, including limiting capacity.
“We are truly looking forward to celebrating our graduating seniors and all of their hard work,” said Tami Dawson, regional assistant superintendent for high schools. “This has been another unusual and challenging year, but we want to do our best to preserve important rites of passage like graduation ceremonies. While honoring our students, we must also stay vigilant in keeping up the fight against COVID-19.”
Most traditional high schools will hold their graduation ceremonies at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Ceremonies taking place at the RP Funding Center will be livestreamed on the PCPS YouTube channel. The seating area will be disinfected between ceremonies.
Three traditional high schools are planning to host their ceremonies at their home stadiums: Auburndale High, Fort Meade Middle-Senior and Frostproof Middle-Senior.
A complete list of all PCPS graduation ceremonies, including their dates, times, and venues is available below.
Health and Safety Precautions
The following health precautions will be taken during all graduations to ensure the safety of graduates, their guests and school district staff:
- Graduates will receive four tickets each for family members or guests. Limiting the number of guests and assigning them to seats will help ensure social distancing.
- There will be assigned check-in times to prevent crowds forming to get into the graduation venue.
- Temperature screenings and security checks will be conducted as individuals enter.
- Everyone will be required to wear face coverings, including graduates.
- Graduates will be socially distanced during the ceremony.
- There will be no handshakes.
- Ceremonies will be condensed to approximately one hour to limit exposure.
- Graduates, guests and staff members are being reminded that graduation ceremonies are not mandatory. Anyone who does not feel safe should not attend.
Important Notice for Students and Guests:
Graduation attendance is not mandatory. Anyone who does not feel safe attending the ceremony should not attend. This includes graduates, guests and staff members.
Some graduation ceremonies will be livestreamed on the PCPS YouTube Channel. Students who do not consent to this activity should not attend. Programs that will be livestreamed are noted in the schedule below.
2021 Graduation Schedule
| School: | Date: | Time: | Location: | Live Stream: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburndale Senior High | Wed., May 26 | 6:00 PM | Bruce Canova Stadium, Auburndale | Not Available |
| Bartow/IB/Summerlin | Mon., May 24 | 3:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Doris Sanders, Jean O’Dell, Karen Siegel | Sat., May 8 | 10:00 AM | Lake Region High Auditorium | Not Available |
| East Area Adult,West Area Adult | Wed, June 2 | 6:30 PM | Auburndale High Auditorium | Not Available |
| Fort Meade Middle-Senior | Sat., May 22 | 9:00 AM | Emory C. Lamb Stadium At Frank S. Battle Field | Not Available |
| Fresh Start – Lakeland | Fri., May 28 | 3:00 PM | Branscomb Auditorium, Florida Southern College | Not Available |
| Fresh Start – Winter Haven/Bartow | Fri., May 28 | 7:00 PM | Branscomb Auditorium, Florida Southern College | Not Available |
| Frostproof Middle-Senior | Sat., May 22 | 1:00 PM | Faris Brannen Stadium, Frostproof | Not Available |
| Gause Academy of Leadership | Thurs., June 3 | 6:30 PM | Bartow High School Auditorium | Not Available |
| George W. Jenkins Senior High | Tues., May 25 | 3:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Haines City Senior High/IB | Sat., May 22 | 4:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Harrison School for the Arts | Wed., May 26 | 3:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Kathleen Senior High | Sat., May 22 | 12:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Lake Gibson Senior High | Tues., May 25 | 12:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Lake Region High | Sat., May 22 | 9:00 AM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Lakeland Senior High | Wed., May 26 | 7:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Mulberry Senior High | Mon., May 24 | 12:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Polk Virtual & Polk Grad Academy | Thurs., May 27 | 2:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Ridge Community High | Tues., May 25 | 7:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Ridge Technical College | Tues., May 25 | 6:00 PM | Lake Eva Center, Haines City | Not Available |
| Roosevelt Academy | Wed., May 26 | 6:00 PM | Roosevelt Auditorium | Not Available |
| Tenoroc High | Wed., May 26 | 12:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
| Traviss Technical College | Wed., May 26 | 5:30 PM | Veteran’s Stadium, George Jenkins High | Not Available |
| Winter Haven Senior | Mon., May 24 | 7:00 PM | RP Funding Center | Yes |
Share your celebration!
Tweet #POLKGRAD2021
Watch 2020 Graduation Ceremonies
All 2020 graduation ceremonies were livestreamed and are now available for on-demand viewing. Select a school below or visit our YouTube playlist.
