Everett Public Schools 2026 Graduation: Ceremony Dates, Venues, and Everything Families Need to Know

Q: When and where are the Everett Public Schools 2026 graduation ceremonies?
A: Everett Public Schools holds four separate graduation ceremonies in June 2026. Transition programs (Project Search, GOAL, STRIVE) graduate June 10. Sequoia High School graduates June 11. Cascade High, Henry M. Jackson High, and Everett High all hold commencements June 13. All ceremonies are at Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett.

If you have a senior at home, the countdown is real. Yearbooks are arriving, prom is getting close, and at the center of it all is graduation day — the moment the Class of 2026 officially closes one chapter and opens the next.

Here’s everything Everett families need to know about the 2026 commencement ceremonies — dates, venues, what’s happening in the weeks before, and practical logistics for the big day at the arena.

The 2026 EPS Graduation Schedule

All ceremonies are held at Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA 98201 — the same venue that has hosted EPS graduations for years and holds up to 10,000 for events, giving each school’s graduating class room to fill the floor with their families.

June 10 — Transition Programs Graduation

The Class of 2026 for Project Search, GOAL, and STRIVE — three of EPS’s transition programs for students with disabilities — will be honored in a dedicated ceremony on June 10. This separate event recognizes the distinct journey these students and their families have made through the district. Families should confirm specifics through their student’s program coordinator.

June 11 — Sequoia High School

Sequoia High School‘s Class of 2026 walks on June 11. Sequoia serves students who take a non-traditional path to a diploma, and the ceremony carries the same pride and accomplishment as any other in the district. Watch for school communications on ceremony time and ticket distribution.

June 13 — Cascade High, Henry M. Jackson High, and Everett High

Three of EPS’s four comprehensive high schools graduate on June 13, each with its own ceremony at a staggered time. Specific times will be communicated by each school in May — watch your email and your school’s website for the schedule.

Cascade High School serves students from some of Everett’s most diverse neighborhoods, including students from the Pinehurst-Beverly Park and Cascade View corridors. Cascade’s most recent graduation rate stood at 96.6%, one of the highest in the district.

Henry M. Jackson High School draws from Silver Firs, Tambark Creek, and the eastern edges of the EPS boundary. Jackson’s senior class is typically one of the largest in the district.

Everett High School, the district’s downtown flagship, draws from Bayside, Northwest Everett, Port Gardner, and the broader urban core. Everett High’s ceremony tends to fill the most seats of any single EPS graduation event.

June 14 — Everett Community College Commencement

Not an EPS ceremony, but worth noting: Everett Community College is holding its 2026 commencement at Angel of the Winds Arena on June 14 — the day after EPS’s main ceremonies. Many EvCC students started at Everett, Cascade, or Jackson high schools. The RSVP deadline for EvCC graduates participating in the ceremony is May 11, 2026.

The Senior Season Already Underway

Graduation ceremonies cap off a full month of senior milestones. The district calendar shows several events between now and commencement day:

Senior Awards Night — each school honors academic achievement, scholarships, and community recognition. Dates vary; watch for school communications.
Senior Recognition Assembly — a school-wide event where the graduating class is celebrated by the broader student body.
Senior Prom — held by each school in May or early June, dates and venues vary.
Senior Tea — a tradition at some EPS schools, offering a quieter, more personal recognition moment before the big ceremony.
Senior vs. Staff Basketball Game — reliably the most fun anyone has in the building during the final stretch.
Yearbooks on Sale May 29 – June 12 — if your senior hasn’t ordered yet, the window is still open.
Kindergarten Graduation — elementary schools also hold kindergarten ceremonies in late May and early June. For families celebrating at both ends of the K–12 span, it’s a full season.

Practical Logistics: Angel of the Winds Arena

The arena has hosted enough EPS graduations that families know the drill — but here’s what first-timers need to know.

Arrive early. Graduation fills the arena. Parking around the venue moves fast. The Everett Transit Hub sits directly next to the arena, making transit a genuinely convenient option if you’re coming from within the city.

Budget 90 minutes to two hours. Ceremony length varies by school size. Everett High and Jackson tend to run longest; Sequoia’s ceremony is typically more compact.

Tickets. EPS distributes a set number of tickets per graduate for lower-bowl seating. Schools will communicate ticket allocation in May. If your family needs additional tickets, reach out to your school’s main office early — some schools have a waitlist or release process.

Accessibility. Angel of the Winds Arena has designated accessible seating and accessible parking near the main entrance. Families with specific needs should contact the school or arena in advance.

Photography. The arena lighting for graduation is much better than most people expect. Bring a real camera if you have one, or plan to position yourself at the aisle for the processional and diploma walk. Many families hire a photographer to capture the ceremony exit.

This Is the Class of 96.3%

The Class of 2026 graduates into a record. EPS’s overall graduation rate reached 96.3% in 2025 — with Cascade High at 96.6%. That reflects years of investment in early intervention, pathways like Summer Academy and Career Link, and a district that treats graduation not as a default outcome but as an intentional one.

Dr. Ian Saltzman, who has led EPS since 2019, has consistently named graduation rate as a primary district metric. The Class of 2026 represents the full run of his leadership — seven years of building a system where walking across that stage is expected, not exceptional.

For seniors heading to college, the next step often starts locally. The SchooLinks platform replacing Naviance this September will continue supporting post-secondary planning for students and recent graduates through the transition.

After the Ceremony: Making an Evening of It

Angel of the Winds Arena sits in the middle of downtown Everett. Post-graduation, the city is right outside. Hewitt Avenue, the Port of Everett waterfront, and downtown’s restaurant scene are all within a few minutes’ walk or drive. If you’re planning a graduation dinner, book ahead — downtown fills up on graduation weekends, particularly June 13 when three separate ceremonies are finishing at different times through the afternoon and evening.