Just yesterday your child was getting on the bus for kindergarten, and now they're graduating middle school. Between teenage hormones and final exams, preparing for a middle school graduation can seem daunting. Get up-to-date on the ceremony and basic attire, along with party and gift options to make that middle school graduation one to remember.
Middle School Graduation Ceremony Walk-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 kid graduate 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 wants and 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 outside the 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 kids make 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 each a copy of the book as a parting gift.
- Hometown Heritage: Embrace the student body's unique heritage by encouraging them to wear traditional clothing and bring homemade recipes from 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 of old 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 outfit probably 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
Some schools have specific dress requirements for graduation, such as a white shirt and black dress pants or skirts in the school's colors. Check with the school's administration if you're unsure.
Cap and Gown
While caps and gowns are typically reserved for high school graduations and higher, some schools like the pomp and circumstance. 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 or Graduate Affairs, which lets students borrow them and 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 high or send invites to a middle 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 accolades is a fun way to include out-of-town friends and relatives in the occasion and show off just how much their favorite graduate 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 are typically a casual affair, such as a backyard barbeque, pool party, or a small get-together with appetizers and a cake 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 a skating 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 give graduation 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
Keep in mind that giving a monetary gift isn't a graduation requirement. While it is a nice gesture, it's not the only way to show your love and support.
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's a middle school graduation ceremony or party perfect for you and your young grads.
