We look forward to celebrating this year's graduating class with our GISD family.

2025 Graduation schedule

2025 spring graduation dates will be May 21-24. Summer graduation will be announced at a later date. 

Location

Graduation ceremonies will be held at the Curtis Culwell Center for all GISD high schools. Staff will be limited to essential workers and supervising faculty.  The facility will be disinfected between ceremonies.

Directions

• From North Garland Avenue, turn east onto Naaman Forest Blvd, one block south of George Bush Turnpike.
• From Lavon Drive (Hwy 78), turn west onto Naaman Forest Blvd.

Parking

• Parking for families will be available at the Curtis Culwell Center. Graduation ceremonies for GISD schools will not charge for parking.
• Students will be bused from their campuses.
• Parking Map

Celebrate your student

Flowers, pictures, graduation DVDs, and shoutouts are available for celebrating your student's special day. Visit the Curtis Culwell Center website for details or see below.

Livestream recording and programs

Live video streaming of the district’s graduation ceremonies and digital programs will be available.

Livestream links

• Cisneros Pre-K
• Parsons Pre-K
• Garland High School
• Lakeview Centennial High School
• Memorial Pathway Academy
• Naaman Forest High School
• North Garland High School
• Rowlett High School
• Sachse High School
• South Garland High School

Rules for entry

Tickets

Tickets are required for admission. Graduates will receive general admission tickets for their family. Everyone, including infants, must have a ticket to enter.

No tickets will be distributed at the event.  Graduates will distribute tickets to all guests prior to their arrival at the ceremony. See your campus website for ticket pickup information.

Note: Once you have entered the building, you may not leave and re-enter.

Dress code

Appropriate dress is required. Come dressed for the ceremony. No changing facilities will be available. Attendees must follow the clear bag policy.

Graduate dress code

• Graduates must be in their caps and gowns wearing only approved regalia prior to the ceremony
• Students may not decorate their graduation caps
• Graduates may not carry or wear flowers during the ceremony
• No shorts

Caps and gowns

Garland ISD seniors can order graduation caps and gowns at www.jostens.com. Parents and students will be notified by Jostens when the delivery details are scheduled.

All cap and gown purchases go through Jostens and are not part of GISD. Questions about cap and gown orders need to be directed to Jostens.

Food and drinks

No outside food or drink will be allowed. Water, soda and snacks will be available through the Curtis Culwell Center concessions.

Bag/purse policy

To ensure guest safety and quicker entry into the facility, the Curtis Culwell Center has implemented a clear bag policy limiting the size and type allowed at graduation ceremonies.

Types of allowed bags

While the CCC encourages guests not to bring bags if possible, the following are permissible:

• Clear tote - plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
• Plastic storage bag - Clear one (1) gallon, re-sealable
• Small clutch size - approximately the size of a hand with or without a handle or strap. No larger than 6.5" and 4.5" with or without a handle or strap
• Medically necessary items

Visit the CCC's Clear Bag Policy page for more details.

Prohibited items

Do not bring items such as:

• Food or Beverages (including bottled water and/or snacks)
• Bags or purses larger than 4.5x6 inches
• Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives, following penal codes 30.06 and 30.07)
• Tobacco, alcohol, or fireworks
• Monopods, tripods and selfie sticks
• Flowers purchased outside of the Curtis Culwell Center
• Gift bags, wrapped gifts, balloons, beach balls, Frisbees, bubbles, silly string, streamers or laser pens
• Pets/non-service animals
• Posters, signs, banners, placards, or mortarboards
• Bullhorns, air horns, or any artificial noisemakers
• Glitter, confetti, rice or birdseed
• Umbrellas or coolers

Smoking

The Curtis Culwell Center is a drug and alcohol-free facility – no smoking on-premises, including e-cigarettes.

Attending the ceremony

Arrival

• Guests and graduates will be allowed to enter one hour before the start of the ceremony. Tickets will be checked upon arrival. Before entering, graduates and guests will be screened by a metal detector. Guests must follow the clear bag policy.
• Graduates will disembark off the buses, enter the venue through the conference center, and be directed to the ballroom prior to the processional.
•  Graduates should be dressed in non-decorated caps and gowns with only approved regalia prior to the ceremony.
• School staff will direct graduates to their seats.
• Families will enter through the east and west entrances. Please note that the arena floor is reserved for graduates and approved faculty only.

During the Ceremony

Graduation is to be a respectful event. Family and friends should listen quietly to all student and faculty speeches and refrain from shouting as names are called. Please be respectful of all graduates and their families. Every family wants to hear the name of their graduate as he or she walks across the stage.

• Graduates will have assigned seating and will be honored in rank order as well as alphabetically. 
• Photos will be taken with diploma covers as students return to their seats after walking across the stage.

After the Ceremony

Due to the tightness of the graduation schedule, please depart the facility promptly and in an orderly fashion after the ceremony. You will be able to meet your graduate outside of the Curtis Culwell Center after the ceremony. No gathering is allowed inside the building; please meet your party at your vehicle.

Gifts and memorabilia

Flowers

Flowers purchased outside of the Curtis Culwell Center will not be allowed in the building.

Flowers will be available for purchase on-site during the ceremonies. You can also preorder flowers on the Curtis Culwell Center website.

Pictures

Every graduate will be photographed at the ceremony. If you have not received proofs within 2 weeks of the ceremony, please contact Flash Photography directly at 888-325-3930 or at www.FLASHphotography.com.

Personal photos must be taken from your seat in the audience. No monopods or tripods are allowed.

Graduation DVDs

Graduation DVDs will be available for purchase online for $35 on the Curtis Culwell Center website.