Northshore School District Reminders for the Class of 2025

In honor of the Class of 2025 and everyone in attendance at the commencement ceremonies next week, please review the below message and share with your guests:
 

School Graduation Dates and Times

The 2025 commencement ceremonies for Northshore’s four comprehensive high schools will take place at Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell on the following dates:

Reminder: Gates open 45 minutes prior to ceremonies starting. Ceremonies will also be live streamed at www.nsd.org/graduation/class-of-2025. 
 

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Inglemoor High School 1:00 p.m.

Bothell High School 6:00 p.m.

 

Thursday, June 12, 2025

North Creek High School 1:00 p.m.

Woodinville High School 6:00 p.m.
 

Graduate/Attendee Guidelines and Safety Protocols

• Please remain seated and quiet throughout the ceremony.
• Anyone causing disruptions will be asked to leave.
• Balloons, noisemakers, air horns, beach balls, and other distracting items are strictly prohibited.
• High heels are NOT allowed on the field or the track, but wedge sandals and flat shoes are permitted.
• Designated photo areas on the field will be available for your group and graduate to take pictures after the ceremony.
• Photos will not be allowed to be taken on the graduation stage.

We want to remind you that creating the best possible experience for every graduate and attendee includes making safety a priority.

• Weapons are strictly prohibited on District property per RCW 9.41.280. Also, no alcoholic beverages or glass containers for liquids will be allowed.
• Please be aware of emergency exits. Maps are posted around the stadium. In the event of an emergency, listen to announcements for directions.

Arrival and Parking for Pop Keeney Stadium

Gates open 45 minutes prior to each school’s ceremony. Due to the large number of anticipated attendees, please note the following information for arriving and parking at Pop Keeney Stadium, 9809 NE 188th St., Bothell:

• The best route to approach the stadium parking lot is Eastbound on 188th as there will be no left turns from Westbound. Information about overflow parking, maps, and videos showing the best routes are available on our website.
• Parking will be limited. Please consider carpooling.
• Pop Keeney Stadium has entrance ramps on the south side of the stadium that allow for wheelchair accessibility. The first few rows of attendee seating in the bleachers, and designated areas on the field, have been reserved for those with limited mobility. If you would like to reserve seating in these areas, please complete this survey by Sunday, June 8th so we can plan accordingly.
• Tailgating will not be allowed. 

Ceremony Information Translated

Graduation programs will be printed in English and distributed at the event in person. In addition, prior to your school’s graduation ceremony, families will receive an email about the ceremony order and speakers through ParentSquare. This step ensures all families can follow along and understand the ceremony details in their preferred language, as ParentSquare automatically translates messages for families. High school graduation is a significant event in the lives of our students, and we want all of our families to be able to enjoy the experience.

Graduating with Latin Honors

Starting with the Class of 2023, Northshore’s comprehensive high schools adopted the Latin terms to celebrate high-achieving students as follows:

• Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors):  top 5% of GPAs
• Magna Cum Laude (with high honors):  top 6-15% of GPAs
• Cum Laude (with honors): top 16-30% of GPAs

Graduating seniors will be honored based on GPA as shown above. This new tradition will continue with the Class of 2025 and will replace the previous tradition of naming valedictorians and salutatorians. Much like in the past with valedictorians and salutatorians, students receiving Latin honors will be recognized during graduation ceremonies, assemblies, and/or other recognition programs. By refining our recognitions, our high schools are aligning with systems used in higher education while also giving deserved recognition to additional high-achieving students.

Inclement Weather

In the event of rain, the ceremonies will proceed as planned. If rain is in the forecast, please prepare in advance. Please note: 

• Graduates will be seated on the field, which provides no overhead coverage. 
• Families and guests seated in the grandstand bleachers may have some protection from the elements, as bleachers on both sides of the field have covered seating. 
• Families and guests seated in ADA seating on the field or in the front rows of bleacher seating will not be protected by the rain. 

Graduates on the field will be provided with a plastic poncho if rain is expected. The use of umbrellas will be allowed only for ADA seating on the field to ensure the visibility of families and guests in the stands is not blocked. There will be a large video screen on the stage displaying the video of the ceremony, and as a reminder, the ceremonies will be live streamed and recorded for later viewing.

In the event of thunder or lightning, we will follow the same guidelines used by Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) for outdoor athletic events. If thunder is heard or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, this means the storm is close enough to strike our location with lightning, so we will delay the start or suspend the ceremony for a period of 30 minutes. Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute delay will reset the clock and another 30-minute count will begin. During a delay due to thunder or lightning, announcements will be made to provide specific instructions.

It is also important to note that there are two graduation ceremonies taking place each day at Pop Keeney. If the earlier ceremonies are affected by inclement weather, this may also affect the later ceremonies’ start times. The District will communicate with the families directly if later ceremonies are impacted.

Medication Requirements During Graduation

All students with life-threatening health conditions must self-carry their rescue medication on them at all times. This includes epi-injectors, asthma inhalers, and glucagon. Parents of students with seizure rescue medication must carry those medications on them and remain available onsite to administer them. We will have nurses on site at Pop Keeney for emergencies, but please be advised that NSD nurses do not carry stock medication other than Narcan. Thank you for helping to keep all of our students safe.

If you have questions about your 2025 commencement ceremony, please contact your school. Again, congratulations! We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2025 next week!