Grad Night FAQs 

What is Grad Night?

Claremont High School has a longstanding tradition dating back more than 50 years of a safe and sober graduation celebration, not just for the kids but for their parents as well. The evening begins with a celebratory dinner for parents and their graduate that includes dancing, family photos and other entertainment. At the end of the night, the parents head home and the graduates are treated to a fun-filled afterparty with unlimited food, games, dancing and a variety of activities and prizes.

When is Grad Night?

The Claremont High School Class of 2026 Grad Night celebration will be held the day after graduation, on Friday, June 12, 2026.

Why isn't Grad Night the same day as graduation?

For one, by the time the graduation ceremony is over and the graduates are done taking photos on the field and picking up their diplomas, it's LATE. The dinner portion of the evening wouldn't begin until 9 or 10 o'clock which doesn't allow enough time for everyone to really settle in and enjoy themselves. 

Additionally, we've found from past years that the kids are absolutely exhausted on the night of graduation. It's a big day (and week) for them and having a night to rest before the party gives them the opportunity to reset.

Lastly, having it the following day allows graduates and their parents to celebrate with extended family after the ceremony.

Where is Grad Night?

The Grad Night location is top secret! We can tell you, though, that the dinner will not be at CHS and the after party will not be at a theme park. We are planning a traditional Grad Night in line with the pre-pandemic format of the event.

Why is the location a secret?

Mainly to avoid contraband or gate-crashing at the event but also to add to the fun of the celebration.

Do parents have to attend?

Yes! This night is a celebration for graduates and their parents. Parents deserve to share in the celebration too!

What is the dress code?

The dinner portion of the event is dressy/business casual. The graduates will have the opportunity to change into more comfy clothes before heading to the after party.

Can siblings, grandparents or extended family come too?

We're sorry but the party is reserved for graduates and their parents only. It's extremely difficult to find a space big enough to accommodate all of our grads and parents as it is and we simply don't have the space to open it up to siblings and extended family. 

Will we get to sit with our friends at the dinner and on the bus?

Absolutely! Seating and transportation cards will be included in your Grad Night invitation which will be mailed to you in early 2026. We will do our best to ensure that you are seated with at least one of your friends, both at the dinner and on the bus.

What if my senior wants to attend but we can't afford the ticket?

Contact us! We have been fundraising for three years to ensure that any student that wants to attend is able to do so. We can be reached at our group email address at chsclassof2026@gmail.com or you can reach out to our President, Susan Kent, privately at susanlkent@me.com.

Will the ticket price go up?

Not if we can help it. We have worked really hard over the past three years in order to keep ticket prices as low as possible. With the current economic conditions being a bit unpredictable, however, there is a slight chance that we may need to adjust prices as it gets closer.

My graduate isn't sure they want to go. Can we sign up the week of graduation?

Unfortunately, no. Space is limited and we will need to finalize our seating chart and give a final count to our caterer at least a few weeks before the party. There will be a deadline for signups at some point in the spring of 2026 with the possibility of selling out.

Why aren't we going to Disney?

For several reasons:

1. Disneyland day is on the Monday before graduation. Grad Night is a different event. 

2. The CHS Grad Night tradition is a unique and special celebration and one that's proven to be a core memory for CHS alumni. Disney will be there both before and after graduation, but we only have this one final opportunity for a special night where we can celebrate together as a class.

3. The parent dinner is a big part of the Grad Night celebration (and a big portion of the Grad Night budget). The Disney Grad Night begins at 9:00 pm which means that the parent dinner celebration would have to start and end extremely early. We anticipate the dinner portion of the evening to be one of the best parts of the night and do not want to cut it short.

4. It's more expensive for families. The $200 student donation covers the dinner portion of the evening, admission to the park and transportation but nothing else. Graduates would need to bring spending money for food and anything else they need while at the park.

What kinds of things will we do at the after party?

This is still in the works, but there will be a wide variety of activities and entertainment to keep our graduates occupied at the party. Because we know not everyone can handle hours of noise, we are looking for a venue with both indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as quiet spaces and activities for kids who just want to hang out or need to recharge. Our goal is to plan a night of fun with a little something for everyone!