skip to main content

HCPSS / NEWS

HCPSS Class of 2021 Graduation Dates Set, May 28-June 4, 2021

April 15th, 2021

Update May 11, 2021

HCPSS announced expanded opportunities for the 2021 high school graduations, including allowing for additional guests and pavilion seating. Full details


Howard County Public School System has announced the graduation ceremony schedule for the 2020-2021 school year. All ceremonies are scheduled to take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion, with the exception of Cedar Lane School, which will be held at that school. Graduations will be available for viewing live online and on-demand following each ceremony, and will be rebroadcast on the HCPSS cable channel (Comcast 95, Verizon 42). HCPSS will monitor local health metrics during the weeks prior to the commencement date window; if it is deemed necessary to hold events virtually, an announcement will be issued at that time.

In collaboration with the County Executive’s office, the Howard County Health Department, and Merriweather Post Pavilion, several measures have been implemented to allow commencement events to be held on site while maintaining COVID-safe practices. At this point, and in consultation with the Health Department, each graduating senior’s family will initially be provided two guest tickets for lawn seating. As more vaccines are distributed and with the hope for declining county positivity rates, HCPSS will continue working with the health department to consider possibilities for issuing additional tickets and other seating arrangements. All in-person attendees are expected to wear masks. The numbers of in-person speakers and performers will be kept to a minimum, while others will participate virtually. HCPSS’ plans for ensuring inclusion of graduates who prefer to participate virtually will be announced at a later date.

The last day for seniors will be Friday, May 28, with the first ceremony occurring that afternoon.

Graduation-related information is available online, and will be updated as new information becomes available.

The schedule of graduation ceremonies is as follows:

Friday, May 28

Tuesday, June 1

Wednesday, June 2

Thursday, June 3

Friday, June 4