Class of 2026 Graduation
- Graduation Practice: May 14, 2026 (Thurs)
- Baccalaureate Mass: May 14, 2026 (Thurs)
- Commencement Ceremony: May 17, 2026 (Sun)
information regarding graduation announcements and other keepsake items that may be
purchased. Orders for these items are placed in early November. These items are not included
in the graduation fee, and there is no obligation to purchase them.
The announcements are not invitations to the Commencement ceremonies. Graduation announcements are typically sent to out-of-town relatives and friends who would not attend the Commencement ceremonies but may like to send a congratulatory note or gift to the senior. The school has chosen the style of the announcements, and name cards personalized for the graduating senior can be purchased to insert inside the announcements. The company also offers items such as photo albums, picture frames, and thank-you notes. Again, all of these items are optional and there is no obligation to purchase them.
Graduation Practice - May 14, 2026 - 1pm to 3 pm
- Any senior who wishes to participate in the Commencement ceremonies must attend the practice unless excused by an administrator of the school.
- Students report to the main gym on Thursday no later than 1:00 p.m.
- Dress Code: Casual: jeans, pants or shorts, polo shirts, etc.
At graduation practice, each senior will be given their tickets for guest admission to Commencement ceremonies.
Baccalaureate Mass - May 14, 2026 - BCHS Main Gym - 6:30 pm
- Seniors should report to the third floor of the school on Thursday with their gown (no cap) no later than 5:45 p.m. (see below for complete Dress Code.)
- Guest parking is available on campus at Bishop Chatard with additional parking available at Christ the King.
- Tickets are NOT needed for the Baccalaureate Mass.
- Dress Code: See below
The Baccalaureate Mass marks the end of each senior’s high school experience in thanksgiving to God for all the blessings they have received, and in prayer for God to be with them as they continue on toward higher education and careers. Any senior who wishes to participate in the Commencement Ceremonies must attend the Mass unless otherwise excused by the Principal and/or President.
Senior Video
Graduates and guests are asked to remain seated following Mass for a viewing of the senior video. A link to the video will also be emailed to the students after the video’s premiere.
Commencement - May 17, 2026 - 1:30 pm - BCHS Main Gym
- Seniors should arrive by 12:45 pm, enter through Door #5 and report to the 3rd floor hallway.
- Graduates wear the graduation gown, hat, and tassel (no additional cords other than those provided at Honors Night). See additional Dress Code below
- Admission by ticket only. See ticket details below.
If you have a family member who will be attending graduation in a wheelchair, scooter, or walker, please contact Chelsea Sinclair at 317-785-2423 or csinclair@bishopchatard.org to arrange special accommodations.
Participation in the Commencement ceremony is a privilege. Students who earn this privilege have completed the work required and conducted themselves in a way that befits the values promoted by the school.
Dress Code for Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement
Boys: Solid colored shirt and tie, dress pants with a belt, dark colored socks, and dress leather shoes. Boys should be groomed and clean-shaven; no facial jewelry. No shorts allowed.
Girls: Dress Pants: solid colors, no denim, jeans, or skinny pants; skirts and dresses: length must be no shorter than 2 inches above the top of the knee, must not be tight or form-fitting; shirts: no low-cut shirts, no sheer/transparent tops, no form-fitting tops; shoes: flats or low heeled requested, no tennis shoes; no facial jewelry.
Bishop Chatard rents gowns specially made for BCHS. Seniors are responsible for the reasonable care and return of the gown. (Please follow the instructions for the preparation of the gown when the student brings it home.)
Gowns and caps with tassel are worn for Commencement.
Gowns (no caps) are worn for the Baccalaureate Mass.
NOTE: Caps are to be left precisely as received. They should not be decorated in any way.
Participation Policies
- Any student who does not pass all required courses will not be permitted to participate in Commencement ceremonies. As soon as the school receives official notification that the work has been successfully completed, the school will send a diploma.
- If a student completes all of the necessary requirements, but is involved in any major violation of the school rules, he or she may not be permitted to participate in the Commencement ceremonies. Any such decision will be made by the administration after recommendation from the Discipline Board. The student is entitled to a diploma if he or she completed the requirement, however, he or she does not have the right to participate in Commencement.
- Unless excused by the principal, any senior who does not attend the graduation practice may not participate in Commencement.
- All tuition and fees must be paid to receive a diploma and final grades.
The graduation fee of $150 will automatically be billed to you as part of the tuition and fees for senior year. The fee is used for the following:
- Diploma covers and printing of diploma inserts;
- Rental of caps and gowns;
- Program printing for the Baccalaureate Mass;
- Decorations and program printing for the Commencement ceremonies.
The graduation fee does not cover the cost of any personalized invitations or other packages offered by Herff-Jones. All of the keepsake items are optional.
- Complete a total of 8 semesters in high school
- Successfully complete the diploma requirements.