On Saturday, May 17, District 300 will host high school graduation ceremonies at the NOW Arena located at 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, 60192, as follows:

• Hampshire High School at 10 a.m.

• Jacobs High School at 2 p.m.

• Dundee-Crown High School at 6 p.m.

Ceremonies will be livestreamed, recorded, and available for public viewing. The livestreams can be viewed on the District 300 website and each respective high school’s website.

Graduation ceremony videos will also be posted on the District 300 Facebook page and each respective high school’s website in the days following the ceremonies. Schools will email a video link to seniors and families as soon as it becomes available.

School Contact Information for Graduates & Families 

Jacobs High School:

Matthew Bennett, Associate Principal Of Operations

• E: Matthew.Bennett@d300.org 

• P: 847-532-6121

Kimberly Todd, Principal’s Secretary

• E: Kimberly.Todd@d300.org 

• P: 847-532-6103

Dundee-Crown High School:

Kyle Molik, Associate Principal Of Operations

• E: Kyle.Molik@d300.org

• P: 224-484-5033

Evangelina Guzman, Principal’s Secretary

• E: Evangelina.Guzman@d300.org 

• P: 224-484-5002

Hampshire High School: 

Nathan Schmitt, Associate Principal Of Operations

• E: Nathan.Schmitt@d300.org 

• P: 847-792-3554

Tracy Walton, Principal’s Secretary

• E: Tracy.Walton@d300.org 

• P: 847-792-3536

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I need a ticket to attend graduation?

A. No. There is enough seating that tickets are not necessary inside the arena.

Q. What is the parking process at the NOW Arena?

A. As attendees enter the NOW Arena parking area, police officers and attendants will direct traffic. Guests will be directed by parking staff to the designated east parking lots, which are accessible from Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Boulevard, and Pratum Avenue.

Q. What are the arrival procedures for graduates?

A. Graduates should arrive one hour prior to their ceremony start time. Graduates should enter through Door 11 on the southeast end of the arena. At this entrance, graduates will walk through metal detectors, following normal NOW Arena security protocols. Graduates should have gowns unzipped to expedite the screening process.

Graduates will check in with school staff to ensure they are at the correct ceremony and are cleared to participate in graduation. 
Once checked in, graduates may choose to have their picture taken professionally with a diploma cover and will then transition to the processional line.

Q. What are the arrival procedures for guests?

A. All guests will enter at the Main Entrance (southwest end) of the arena and should select a seating area on a first-come, first-served basis. Please avoid bringing unnecessary items and bags to the ceremony.

NOW Arena implements a “Clear Bag Policy,” which is detailed at https://www.nowarena.com/faqs. This limits the size of bags entering the Arena and requires the majority of bags to be clear to streamline the security screening process and avoid unnecessary wait times to enter the venue. “Exceptions will be made for medical, family, or childcare bags or small clutches no larger than 4.5” x 6.5.”

Q. Is accessible seating and parking available?

A. Yes, the NOW Arena is ADA-compliant for accessibility including restrooms, parking, and service counters. Accessible seating is located on the main concourse level. ADA parking is limited and in the east lot only.

NOW Arena will not have wheelchair escorts or wheelchairs available for guests. If a guest attending graduation needs a wheelchair or has mobility issues, they are advised to provide their own wheelchair.

The arena staff will handle ADA seating needs on a case-by-case basis similar to previous years. ADA seating is one ADA guest and one companion. The rest of the party will have to sit in the arena seating. 

Q. How are programs distributed at the NOW Arena?

A. Programs will be distributed to graduates and families upon arrival.

Q. Can we bring food or drink?

A. No outside food and drink is permitted. Concessions may be available in limited locations. Water fountains are available for use.

Q. What are dismissal procedures for graduates?

A. All graduates will exit through Door 4 and move outdoors. Graduates and families should promptly transition from the concourses to their vehicles in the lot.

Students who did not get their picture taken prior to the ceremony will be invited to do so after the ceremony at their discretion.

Q. What are dismissal procedures for guests?

A. All guests will exit through the Main Entrance where they entered.

Q. Where will I meet my graduate after the ceremony?

A. Families and graduates will be directed to the closed portion of Hoffman Blvd to meet up after the event. Designated locations are numbered 1-6. To assist in locating your party, please designate a meeting location with your graduate prior to the ceremony. Graduates and families should promptly transition from the concourse to the parking lot area. 

Q. Is there a graduation rehearsal? 

A. Yes. Each high school will hold an in-person rehearsal.

• D-CHS: Thursday, May 15th at 10:45 a.m. in the Main Gym. Please enter through the Athletic Entrance.
• HHS: Friday, May 16th at 9:00 a.m. in the auditorium. Please enter through the auditorium entrance (Door #2). 
• JHS: Friday, May 16th at 9:00 a.m. in the Competition Gym. Please enter through the athletic entrance (Door #3). 

Q. When do graduates receive their caps and gowns?

D-CHS: Dundee-Crown High School will distribute caps and gowns on April 14th and 15th during lunches. After April 14th and 15th, if you have not received your D-CHS cap and gown, please contact the main office at 224-484-5000.

HHS: Hampshire High School will distribute caps and gowns on March 10th and March 11th during lunches. After March 10th and 11th, if you were not able to pick up your pre-ordered cap and gown, please contact the main office at 847-792-3500.

JHS: Jacobs High School will distribute caps and gowns during lunch periods on March 18th and 19th. After March 18th and 19th, if you were not able to pick up your cap and gown, please contact the main office at 847-532-6100 if you have any questions. 
Please call Herff Jones as soon as possible at 815-756-4743 if you have not ordered.

Q. How do graduates receive their cords, medallions, etc. if applicable?

A. Additional attire beyond caps and gowns will be distributed at either final club meetings (i.e. National Honor Society, AVID, etc.), at Senior Awards, or graduation rehearsal. More specific details will come from your high school closer to the dissemination.

Q. May students decorate their caps?

A. Yes, students may decorate caps as long as they are appropriate.

Q. What are the guidelines for student attire under the cap and gown?

A. Students must arrive properly dressed for the commencement ceremony. Appropriate attire under the cap and gown is required. Athletic wear, jeans, shorts, sneakers, or “flip-flops” are not permitted.

Q. What behavior policies are in place for graduation?

A. All District 300 and school policies adhere to the commencement ceremony and will be enforced. In order to ensure the safety of all attendees and participants, individuals demonstrating disruptive behavior, found in possession (or who are under the influence) of drugs or alcohol, or are using any object that disrupts the graduation ceremony will be subject to immediate ejection from the NOW Arena. 

Q. Can I move closer to take pictures as my graduate walks across the stage?

A. While picture-taking is encouraged, District 300 asks all attendees to remain in their seats during the graduation ceremony. Attendees will not be permitted on the floor at any time during the commencement ceremony.

Q: How will I be able to view and order professional graduation photos of my student?

A: A company named Visual Image Photography – or VIP – will be taking student graduation photos this year. Graduates will be photographed with a diploma cover prior to the ceremony when they enter the arena, on stage when they receive their diploma, and after the ceremony. Candids will also be available to view and purchase.

Parents and guardians will receive an email from VIP toward the end of May that will allow the viewing and ordering of photos.

VIP also offers a way to view and order photos online via the following steps:

• Visit www.vipis.com.

• Click “View & Order Photos” from the top menu bar.

• Search for your school by name.

• Click the “Graduation Portraits: Search Now” button.

• Enter your email address. (Please note: This will be the email address you provided to District 300 at the beginning of the school year as part of student registration.)

• Then, search for your student by name.

Questions about graduation photos can be sent to VIP at support@vipis.com.

Q. When will students receive their diploma & diploma cover?

A. Students will receive their diploma cover during the ceremony. As students cross the stage, they will receive the diploma cover. As they return to their seats, they will receive the diploma to place inside the cover. 

Q. What is the process for students proceeding from their seat to the stage to receive diploma cover?

A. For the ‘Presentation of the Graduates’: 

• The stage will have two podiums (one on each side) and three staircases (one on each side and a staircase in the middle).

• Students will be led by a staff member to the stage. 

• When the graduate reaches the podium, they will hand the reader the name card they filled out. Students should be prepared to provide the reader with the pronunciation of their name.

• Names will be read in an alternating fashion (one from stage left, then one from stage right).

• Once the name is read, students will walk to the center of the stage and receive their diploma cover. 

• Students will cross the stage on alternating sides and will exit the stage via the middle stairwell.

• Students will return to their seats by walking down the middle section of the rows.

General Expectations & Additional Items

• Any individual that does not feel well should stay home for the benefit of all attending.

• Students must attend their assigned ceremony only.

• Students must arrive wearing their cap and gown.

• Students must follow directions from staff as they enter, stay seated throughout the ceremony except when they line up to go across the stage, and follow directions from staff as they are dismissed.

• Families should remain seated. Exceptions are if someone needs to use the restroom.

• Families and graduates must exit outside immediately after the ceremony concludes.

• Balloons, noisemakers, and beach balls are not permitted inside the Arena.

Future Graduation Dates

Class of 2026: Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the NOW Arena

• Dundee-Crown High School at 10:00 a.m.
• Hampshire High School at 2:00 p.m.
• Jacobs High School at 6:00 p.m.

Cum Laude System Information

To view information on the Cum Laude System, please click here.