Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2025!
Senior Graduation Ceremony
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Location:
William Jessup University
2121 University Ave, Rocklin, CA 95765
Please note: this location does not allow glitter, confetti, or horns. Balloons will need to stay in vehicles during the ceremony.
Time:
2:30-2:45 pm: Arrival Time for Mandatory Graduation Practice (Students Only)
2:45-3:45 pm: Rehearsal and Group Photo
3:45 pm: Doors Open for Supporters
4:30 pm: Graduation Ceremony Begins
Ticket Reservations
- Reservations open Thursday, April 3 at 12:30 pm.
- Reservations close Tuesday, April 29 at 4:30 pm.
- Please use the button below to register your graduate for the ceremony and to reserve supporter tickets. To ensure that space is available for all families, you may reserve a maximum of 6 supporter tickets per graduate.
- After registration closes, we will evaluate the venue’s capacity to determine if additional tickets can be made available. However, this is not guaranteed.
- If extra tickets become available, only those who previously expressed interest during registration will have the opportunity to request up to two additional tickets.
- Access to additional tickets (if available) will open after May 2.
- We’re also thrilled to announce that the graduation ceremony will be live-streamed so everyone can celebrate with us! A streaming link will be shared as the event approaches.
Reservations close April 29 at 4:30 pm.
Venue Map
The high school graduation ceremony will be held at William Jessup University. See map for building location.
Dress Code
Graduating seniors are required to purchase and wear a black matte cap and gown (see below for details) for the ceremony. Special occasion attire should be worn under the gown.
Only school-issued regalia (stoles and cords) are permitted during rehearsal and at the ceremony. Students are not permitted to wear any other regalia, including leis and cultural scarves, stoles, or cords during the ceremony. Decorated caps will not be permitted. Additional regalia is welcome after the ceremony has concluded.
Guidelines:
- Dresses, skirts, or nice pants outfit.
- Dress pants (khakis or dark colored is recommended), dress shirt; ties are optional.
- Try to avoid bright-colored bottoms or dresses/skirts that will be seen below the hem of a gown. Darker colors are better.
- Wear shoes in which you are comfortable and capable of walking up stairs.
- No jeans, shorts, or flip-flops are to be worn by any students.
- Students need to be in matte black graduation gown and cap, which you may purchase on Amazon.
- Decoration and/or embellishment on graduation caps are not permitted.
Where to Get Your Cap and Gown
You may order the mandatory matte black cap and gown on Amazon. Instructional funds cannot be used. All ceremony participants must have this cap and gown to walk in the ceremony.
Tassels will be provided to all graduates at the ceremony to keep.
Caps cannot be decorated.
If you have a financial need, please email ammie.avolio@cottonwoodk12.org
Graduation Slide Show
We will feature a slideshow of graduating seniors during the entry and exit of the graduation ceremony. We will also feature graduates during late April and all of May on the Cottonwood Community Facebook page, our Cottonwood or CCPA Instagram pages, and our public Facebook page.
Students who would like to be in the slideshow and potentially featured on our social media feeds should follow these directions:
1. Click the button below and be sure you’re logged into your TCS student Google account.
3. Note that this form has two sections: the first is for student responses and the second is for parents/guardian responses. Please take turns filling the form.
4. Click submit when you’re done.
The graduation program and slide show
will also be available digitally.
Optional Yard Sign
We have teamed up with 904Customs for yard signs, and they have a special option for Cottonwood graduates. Instructional funds cannot be used to purchase yard signs. This is optional.
Follow these steps to order a custom yard sign:
Student Performers
Calling all performers! Ready to share your talent? The graduation committee is in search of high school musicians, singers, and poets!
Recite a poem, give a short speech, sing a song, or perform music – all of these are options to help make our High School Graduation an extra special showcase of our students and their talents. Interested students are encouraged to submit a video audition of their act.
Note: All High Schoolers are encouraged to audition, though priority will be given to 12th grade performers.
Audition videos are due by May 2, 2025.
Important Deadlines to Remember
Now: Order your matte black cap and gown
April 3: Register your graduate and reserve tickets
May 2: Deadline to submit slide show submissions
May 2: Deadline to submit audition videos
Graduation Awards & Recognitions
Name of Award
Recognition, Cord & Stole Colors
Description of Award
Cottonwood Academic
Excellence Award
Students will receive a
green & white cord
for graduation
12th grade award for students who earn a 3.75 or better GPA and complete a College/Career Indicator (CCI) GPA: will be calculated after the first 7 semesters of high school (following the Fall semester of 12th grade.) CCI: Students must have a CCI “Prepared” status by the end of the Spring semester of 12th grade.
A – G Completion
Students will receive a
forest green cord
for graduation
The A-G requirements are a set of high school courses students must complete with a grade of C or better to qualify for admission to UC and CSU. Students need 15 yearlong courses, with at least 11 finished before their senior year:
- History: 2 years
- English: 4 years
- Mathematics: 3 years (4 recommended)
- Laboratory Science: 2 years (3 recommended)
- Foreign Language: 2 years (3 recommended)
- Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year
- College Prep Elective: 1 year
Seal of Biliteracy
Students will receive a
white cord
for graduation and a
seal on their diploma
This recognition honors high school graduates who have achieved proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English.
National Honor Society
Students will receive a
blue and gold cord
for graduation
The National Honor Society (NHS) recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in leadership, service, character, and scholarship. NHS membership is a prestigious honor and is highly regarded by colleges and the community.
- 3.5 GPA
CTE Completer
Students will receive an
orange cord
for graduation
Students who complete a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway are recognized for their dedication to a program of study that integrates academic knowledge with technical and occupational skills. This pathway provides students with a solid foundation for postsecondary education and career readiness.
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
Students will receive a
gold cord
for graduation and a
seal on their diploma
The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD) is awarded by the California State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to recognize students who have demonstrated mastery in at least six subject areas, including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and U.S. History.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The valedictorian receives a gold stole and has the opportunity to give a speech at graduation.*
The salutatorian receives a white stole and has the opportunity to give a speech at graduation.*
To qualify for Valedictorian or Salutatorian, students must meet the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 120 units at The Cottonwood School
- Must be in 12th grade (11th-grade students graduating early do not qualify)
- Must have completed all A-G requirements
- Fall graduates of 12th grade cannot qualify
- Valedictorian is the student with the highest weighted GPA after the first semester of 12th grade
- A salutatorian is the student with the second-highest weighted GPA after the first semester of 12th grade
- In the event of a tie, Co-Valedictorians will be named.