Stress-Free Homeschool Graduation Celebration

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Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #131, Stress-Free Homeschool Graduation Celebration, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

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.

 

 


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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.

8 Unique Graduation 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!

 

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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!

 

Who Dun It? Murder Mystery Literature and Writing High School Class Economics, Finances, and Business Economics, Finances, and Business Answer Key HIS Story of the 20th Century by Meredith Curtis
American Literature & Research British Literature & Writing High School Class Communications 101:Essays and Speeches High School Class Foundations of Western Literature by Meredith Curtis
Newspaper Reporting by Meredith Curtis Worldview Understanding the Times by Meredith Curtis HIS Story of the 20th Century: High School Workbook by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Finish Well Homeschool Radio Show, Podcast #034, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Show Finish Well Radio, Podcast #053, DG: The Secret to Success Finish Well Radio, Podcast #056, Ready to Lead? Finish Well Radio, Podcast #074, How to Get Into College with Meredith Curtis

Comments

  1. 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!

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