Class of 2026 Graduation Information

April 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians of Eighth Grade Students:

We hope this message finds you and your family well. As we continue to support our eighth grade students in their transition to high school, we are also planning several meaningful opportunities to celebrate the Class of 2026. We value our partnership with families and are grateful for the collaboration with our PTO and dedicated 8th grade parent/guardian volunteers in organizing these end-of-year celebrations.

Graduation will take place at Niles North High School on Thursday, May 28th from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Students are expected to maintain academic and behavior expectations in order to fully participate in all graduation events.

All families completed the required graduation selections, permissions, and online payments using RevTrak.

• Student Diploma Name Submission
• Graduation Gown & Tassel Purchase 
• Graduation T-Shirt Purchase (optional)
• Graduation Ceremony Ticket Request
  • Graduates will receive up to five (5) tickets for the McCracken Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony. 
    • Families have the opportunity to request up to two (2) additional tickets, granted through a lottery system. Lottery results will be announced in April.
    • All attendees (with the exception of our graduates) must present a ticket in order to be seated.
    • Families who do not complete the graduation ticket order form will be issued 5 tickets and will not be entered into the lottery for additional tickets.
    • Ticket envelopes will include a NNHS parking map (Park in North Lot and enter through Door 1)

*All graduation items (tickets, graduation gowns, tassels, yard signs, NNHS summer reading book, and t-shirts) will be distributed to students on Thursday, May 21st.

• Graduation Rehearsal Permission 
  • 8th grade students are required to attend graduation rehearsal on Thursday, May 28th. Students must report to McCracken at 7:50 a.m. to board buses to Niles North High School.
  • Students will return to McCracken after rehearsal at approximately 11:00 a.m. Students will be dismissed immediately upon arrival and will need to walk home, be picked up by parents/guardians, or travel by bus (for current bus riders only — the bus will run the late bus route).
• Graduation Yard Signs - FREE
  • The District will be providing each graduate with a McCracken Class of 2026 yard sign. (There is NO COST to families for the yard sign this year.)
• PTO Fundraiser
  • The PTO and parent group is still accepting volunteers and collecting donations for the end-of-year celebration. See this letter from the PTO for more details!
  • Make a No-Strings Donation! Use the QR code provided to make a direct contribution. Every dollar goes straight toward our graduating students’ celebration: https://8th-grade-celebration-38952.cheddarup.com
• 8th Grade Last Days of School Information (May 27th and May 28th)
  • Eighth-grade students will participate in the graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 28th. 
  • The last full day of school for 8th grade students will be on Wednesday, May 27th.
  • All fees, textbooks, library books, and Chromebooks will be collected on Wednesday, May 27th. 
  • Students will be expected to attend a full day of school on Wednesday, May 27th.
  • Students will be expected to attend a half day of school on Thursday, May 28th.
  • 8th grade students are required to report to school at 7:50 a.m. on Thursday, May 28th to board buses for graduation rehearsal at Niles North High School.
  • Students will return to McCracken after rehearsal at approximately 11:00 a.m. Students will be dismissed immediately upon arrival and will need to walk home, be picked up by parents/guardians, or travel by bus (for current bus riders only - bus will run the late bus route)
  • Graduation Ceremony: Students are expected to arrive at Niles North High School no later than 5:30 p.m. The ceremony starts promptly at 6:00 p.m. and we will not be able to wait for students who are late. Any student who is not able to arrive on time will be directed to the back of the stage where a staff member will assist in helping them to their seat.
  • Please ensure that your graduate is dressed appropriately for the ceremony. We recommend dress clothes and comfortable shoes. Students will be wearing their graduation gown over their clothes. 
    Graduates do not return to McCracken after the graduation ceremony. Student records will be transferred to Niles North High School upon graduates’ completion of eighth grade. If your child will be attending a school other than Niles North High School, please call the McCracken office so we can direct those records to the appropriate school

Upcoming 8th Grade Important Dates:

• Incoming Freshman Mixer at NNHS ~ April 17th (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
• 8th Grade End of the Year Celebration ~ Friday, May 22nd (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
  • Complete and return the End of Year Celebration Permission Form by May 4th
  • 8th Grade End of Celebration Starry Night Flyer
• McCracken Eighth Grade Graduation Ceremony ~ Thursday, May 28th at NNHS 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (We expect the ceremony to start promptly at 6:00 p.m. and last approximately 1–1 1/2 hours).
  • Students must arrive at Niles North High School no later than 5:30 p.m. 
  • Graduation tickets will be distributed to students on Thursday, May 21st.

Thank you, in advance, for speaking with your graduate about the importance of maintaining continued academic achievement and appropriate behavior throughout their eighth grade year. We are looking forward to celebrating the many accomplishments and achievements of our graduates this year and appreciate your partnership. Please contact the McCracken office at 847-673-1220 with any questions.

Sincerely,