Stress-Free Homeschool Graduation Celebration
In “Stress-Free Homeschool Graduation Celebration,” Episode #131, Meredith Curtis believes you can plan and celebrate a homeschool graduation stress-free if you plan and budget ahead. With simple explanations and examples, Meredith lays out how to plan a graduation celebration for just your family or a small group of teens. She has graduated 5 with stress-free celebrations so she shares her tips and wisdom with you! She also shares money-saving tips for every step in the process of graduation planning.
Powerline Productions, Inc.
Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!
Show Notes
First homeschool grad—2 graduations.
You can plan a stress-free graduation.
Choose the How
Talk with your teen. What does he want?
Quiet family celebration vs small group vs state homeschool graduation.
Formal vs. Informal
When to start planning? September/October senior year
Choose the Venue for the Graduation Ceremony
Where will graduation take place?
Rent?
Money saving tip: Jose’s graduation at a park
Choose the Venue for the Graduation Party
How we do it: Group graduation with reception. Later private party.
What does your teen/family want?
Our graduation this year.
Money saving tip: Rose’s party at Janet’s
Special Senior Year Events
Growing up we had homecoming, Grad Nite, prom, senior skip day
Special events planned by each family graduating
Ideas:
- BBQ
- Bonfire at Beach
- Game Night
- Junior/Senior Banquet
- Christian Concert
- Class T-Shirts
- Pool Party
- Movie Night
- Boat Outing
Money saving tip: Game night at our house
Senior Photos
Love the senior photos of my kids!
Bring change of clothing for nice, casual, and cap-n-gown. If group—do a group photo shoot at least a month before graduation
Shine’s photo shoots for homeschool seniors
Money saving tip: Family member take photo or bartering or coupons for professionals
Make Your Guest List
Who does teen want to be there?
Make guest list together
Notify out-of-towners as early as possible
Graduation Announcement
Nice way to invite guests (2/1)
Mail 2-4 weeks ahead and up to 8 weeks afterward
Use templates at Walgreens®, Sams®, and other photo developing place
Money saving tip: get it ready early and watch for sales
Plan Menu
Food is very important to teenagers and their guests!
Some teens will leave the planning to you, others will want their favorite foods
When we have a group graduation, each family brings hearty appetizers/sandwiches—enough to feed themselves and all their guests. Then we chip in for drinks and cake.
For creative menu planning ideas, read my blog post 8 Unique Graduation Party Menus.
Money saving tip: plan ahead and watch for sales. Have guests chip in.
Diplomas, Gowns & More
- Diplomas
- Covers
- Gown
- Tassel
- Hat
Money saving tip: order early, create a larger order with other homeschooling families
Making it Special
- Graduation colors
- Special verse
- Motto
- Graduation Program
Money-saving tip: Let a tech-saavy mom make the program—cuts printing costs!
Itinerary for Ceremony
No Rules. Be creative. Make it special for your teen/teens.
Here is our graduation itinerary:
- Play slideshow of graduates while guests are arriving
- Processional of graduates
- Open in prayer
- Worship (1-2 songs)
- Short charge to graduates
- Graduate talent or speech (song, skit, monologue, etc.)
- Each graduate goes on stage with parents where dad gives charge and presents diploma, and mom moves tassel. Parents pray over teen.
- Presentation of graduations/throw their caps
- Recessional
Right Before Graduation
Keep in touch with guests: who is coming?
Facebook event?
Make the food/prepare anything ahead and freeze
Decorate the day before if possible
Fun Decorating Ideas:
- Graduation theme on cake
- Graduation stuffed animal
- Homemade poster
- Photos of graduate progressing through life
- Tablecloth and matching tableware in graduation colors
- Graduation banners/streamers/balloons
Money saving tip: see what you have around the house, borrow from friends, purchase on sale, start a graduation tote with decorations
Graduation Budget
I put money aside each month during my children’s junior year so that I have money for the graduation expenses. There always seem to be more than I plan for!
Here are things you will want to budget for if you include them in your graduation celebration:
- Graduation Venue Rental
- Graduation Venue Rental
- Senior Photos
- Graduation Announcement
- Gown
- Hat
- Tassel
- Diploma
- Diploma Cover
- Graduation Program
- Food for Graduation Party
- Decorations for Graduation Party
I cannot stress enough the need to talk with your teen and plan everything together.
Don’t forget to take lots of photos so you can remember this special day for years to come!
Sign up for our Newsletter
Sign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.
Resources: 1-Credit High School Courses
Our one-credit high school courses use conversational text, living books, hands-on learning, and projects that prepare teens for real life! Enjoy!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful
 |
 |
 |
 |
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Android | Stitcher | RSS | More
Great suggestions! We had a party for our first to graduate from homeschool. Our 2nd wanted a smaller, family only type celebration, and our last graduated last May during Covid! We did as much as we could though. I’ll pin this to share!