The Ultimate Guide to a Magical Middle School Graduation | LoveToKnow (2024)

Middle School Graduation CeremonyWalk-Through

Transitioning to high school is a big step, and many junior high schools commemorate their students' hard work with a graduation ceremony. Since middle school grades vary, the ceremony may be for 8th graders going into 9th grade at a high school, or for 9th graders heading to a high school that starts at 10th grade. If you haven't had a kidgraduate from middle school and join the high school ranks yet, get a preview of what's in store with our helpful guide.

Parts of the Graduation Ceremony

Middle school graduations typically mimic a high school graduation. The ceremony can be as simple or complex as the school wantsand may include any of these elements:

• Audience seating
• Processional of students
• National anthem/pledge of allegiance
• Opening remarks
• Motivational/inspirational speech
• Speeches of class salutatorian and valedictorian, if applicable
• Presentation of diplomas/or special awards
• Musical interlude or singing of school song
• Closing remarks
• Recessional
• Reception

5 Ways to Make It More Unique

If you want to make your middle school graduation spectacular and help it stand out from last year, think outsidethe box. Planning your first graduation ceremony? Take one of these ideas and run with it.

• Hire a speaker to give a motivational or inspirational speech to students.
• Make a special program or pamphlet mentioning the graduation class and any students' special accomplishments.
• Add a musical accompaniment by the school band, choir, or orchestra.
• Include a memory slideshow that shows snapshots of the graduating class over the years.
• Have the kidsmake special gifts to give to their parents at the reception.

4 Middle School Graduation Themes

Adding themes to an 8th-grade graduation can make it even more special. There are different themes that you might choose.

• Tropical Transition: Students could receive flower crowns instead of certificates when their names are called. Students could wear Hawaiian shirts and have palm tree table decorations at the reception.
• Oh the Places You'll Go!: Use decorations in red and white and have someone read the book Oh, the Places You'll Go!.You could also give eacha copy of the book as a parting gift.
• Hometown Heritage: Embrace the student body's unique heritage by encouraging them to wear traditionalclothing and bring homemade recipesfrom their family's culture.Decorations could be world maps or globes.
• Growing Up Together: Reliving memories together makes for a rock-solid 8th-grade graduation party theme. You could have decorations ofold pictures along with a video montage of moments from the past few years.

Related: 21 Totally Practical Tips for Middle School Survival

What to Wear to a Middle School Graduation

Whether you wear a cap and gown or not, a graduation is a special event. So, most middle school graduations are a dressy affair, and your typical 8th-grade outfitprobably won't cut it.

Not sure what to wear? We've got a few ideas:

• A graduation dress
• Dress shirt and slacks
• Suit coat and slacks
• Short-sleeved button-down and dress pants
• Blouse and dress pants

Cap and Gown

While caps and gowns are typically reserved for high school graduations and higher, some schools like the pomp and circ*mstance. Schools that choose to have students in academic regalia for the ceremony may choose to purchase gowns in a variety of sizes from a store such as Jostens orGraduate Affairs, which lets students borrow themand reuse them each year. Caps may be purchased by a Parent-Teacher Organization or by the individual graduates.

Junior High Graduation Announcements

Many parents may choose to send graduation announcements after their kids finish junior highor send invites to amiddle school graduation party. There are a plethora of online graduation announcement templates you can follow, and Etsy has a huge selection of downloadable ones. Adding a photo and listing out their recent accoladesis a fun way to include out-of-town friends and relatives in the occasion and show off just how much their favoritegraduate has grown.

Related: 6 Congratulatory Graduation Poems for Eighth Graders

Middle School Graduation Parties

Dry up those tears parents, because the party's here.Middle school graduation parties aretypically a casual affair, such as a backyard barbeque,pool party, or a small get-together with appetizers and acake to honor the graduate. Simple backyard games such as volleyball, bocce ball, and Frisbee are a fun way to entertain young teens, tweens, and well-wishers. You can't have enough party games and scheduling a band or DJ can take your party up a notch.

Unique Locations or Themes

Plenty of different themes are available to make your teen's graduation top-notch.

• Retro Rewind:Host the party at askating rink or laser tag arena and let kids relive the best that the past has to offer.
• GradCon: Take a page out of VidCons' books and set up a dance floor and sets for people to take pictures at. Might as well add a few video game and VR areas as well, and get ready for an all-nighter.
• A Night to Remember:Have the young teens create a time capsule to bury to dig up when they graduate from high school.

Middle School Graduation Gifts

People love to celebrate any big accomplishment with gifts. You and your family members or friends may want to givegraduation cards or gifts to commemorate and celebrate their big win. Go sappy and sentimental or silly and sweet with whatever greeting cards speak to you.

10 Gifts That Go Beyond a Card

Sometimes, people want to commemorate a middle school graduate in a big way. So, what types of gifts work well for a middle school graduate? As long as their parent or guardians approve,anything goes.

Not sure what to get them? We've got a few gifts they are sure to love.

• A small to moderate amount of money
• Name plaques or other personalized items
• Journals or scrapbooks
• Bluetooth speakers or headphones
• A watch or piece of jewelry
• A messenger bag, cool backpack, or cute purse
• A cell phone or tablet case
• Gift cards to their favorite shops
• Fun novelty items, such as plush graduation animals or figurines
• An upgraded computer

Sprinkle That Middle School Magic on Graduation

Middle school is a magical time full of ups and downs, and it's best to let it end on a high note. Whether you like it simple and traditional or raucous and modern, there'samiddle school graduation ceremony or party perfect for you and your young grads.