Class of 2026 Graduation Information

January 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians of Eighth Grade Students:

We hope this letter finds you and your family well in this new year!  We are in the process of planning multiple ways to celebrate our eighth grade graduating class of 2026. Understanding this is an important milestone to our students and families, we will continue to find meaningful ways to celebrate student accomplishments as our eighth grade students prepare to transition to high school. We are also excited and grateful to partner with our PTO and 8th grade parent/guardian volunteers to plan our end of the year celebration!

We currently have our graduation date reserved with 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. Please review the information below we will be collecting from families this month.

NEW this year, we will have all graduation selections, permissions and online payments collected in one place! You will need to create an account with RegWerks if you do not already have one.

You will use this RevTrak link for:

• Student Diploma Name Submission
  • Graduation diplomas will be presented to students during the ceremony on Thursday, May 28th at NNHS. Preferred student names for the diploma must be submitted.
• Graduation Gown & Tassel Purchase 
  • Families are able to purchase a graduation gown and tassel individually, or as a package.
• Graduation T-Shirt Purchase
  • Optional McCracken graduation t-shirts are available to purchase for $10.
• 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.
• 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).

The information above must be submitted for all McCracken graduates by February 26, 2026. (Click here to submit)

Upcoming 8th Grade Important Dates:

• Niles North 8th Grade Curriculum Night ~ Wednesday, January 14th (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
• 8th Grade Yearbook Baby Pictures due January 28th
  • Send a digital picture to [email protected]  OR
  • Send a physical copy of the picture with your child to hand in to their advisor. The picture will be scanned and returned to your child the next day. 
• 8th Grade Graduation Pictures ~ Thursday, January 29th (Picture Retakes March 12th)
• Students take one picture in dress clothes and one in a provided gown by Lifetouch
• Niles North High School Counselor Appointments ~ Thursday, February 5th at NNHS (individual appointment times are communicated to families by NNHS)
• 8th Grade End of the Year Celebration ~ Friday, May 22nd (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
• 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).

We are looking forward to celebrating the many accomplishments and achievements of our graduates this year and appreciate your partnership. Please look out for future communication as well, which will be shared with families through email and in our Weekly Newsletter. Feel free to contact the McCracken office at (847) 673-1220 with any questions.

Sincerely,