Class of 2023 Graduation

Class of 2024 Graduation

  • Baccalaureate Mass: May 16, 2024
  • Commencement Ceremony: May 19, 2024
Cap/Gown/Tassel Pick-Up: Seniors will pick up their caps, tassels and rented gowns on Wednesday, May 18, between 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.
Gown Return: Seniors will keep their caps and tassels but must return their gown at door 10 immediately following the graduation ceremony. There is a $250 charge for any gown not returned after the ceremony.
Bishop Chatard’s diploma company, Herff-Jones, will be at school during the lunch period on Thursday Nov. 16, 2023, to take orders for caps, gowns, and other graduation items. 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 chooses 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, these keepsake items are optional and there is no obligation to purchase them.

Graduation Practice - May 16, 2024 - 1:00 p.m.

  • Any senior who wishes to participate in the Commencement ceremonies must attend the practice, unless excused by an administrator of the school.

At graduation practice each senior will be given their tickets for guest admission to Commencement ceremonies.

Baccalaureate Mass - May 16, 2024 - 6:30 p.m. - BCHS Main Gym

  • Seniors should report to school on Thursday with their gown only (no cap) no later than 5:45 p.m. (see below for complete Dress Code.)
  • Tickets are NOT needed for the Baccalaureate Mass.

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.

Commencement - May 19, 2024 - 2:30 p.m. - BCHS Main Gym

  • Seniors should arrive at school by 1:45 p.m..
  • Graduates wear the graduation gown, hat and tassel. See additional Dress Code below
  • Admission by ticket only. See ticket details below.


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-shaved; no facial jewelry. No shorts allowed.

Girls: Dress Pants: 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, no more than 3 inch slit; Shirts/tops – no low-cut shirts, no sheer/transparent tops, or tight, form-fitting tops; Shoes-flats or low heeled requested.

Admission for guests is by ticket only. At graduation practice, each senior in the Class of 2024 will be given six tickets for guest admission to Commencement ceremonies.
No additional tickets are available.
It is up to the family to decide how tickets are to be dispersed. Families with un-used tickets can share with those who need additional tickets. The tickets are given to the senior at graduation practice, and it is up to him or her to work out arrangements where there are custodial and non-custodial parents. The school does not provide extra tickets.

Seniors will keep their iPads after graduation. The iPad will be transferred to their ownership after final exams are completed. If a student experiences any issues with the transfer, please encourage them to contact the Bishop Chatard Tech Counter for help.
Commencement is a unique privilege that comes only once in a student’s high school career. It is our way of honoring each student for completing all requirements for earning a high school diploma in the state of Indiana. Participation in this prestigious event is reserved for students who fulfill all academic, financial, and behavioral obligations. It is a heart-wrenching experience for a senior not to be able to participate in Commencement, but participation policies were developed in justice to those many seniors who have worked long and hard towards graduation. Bishop Chatard reserves the right to establish policies concerning a student’s participation.

Participation Policies

  1. 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.
  2. Any student who successfully completes the required courses, but has not passed the ISTEP+ exams (or qualified for a waiver) will be permitted to participate in Commencement, but will receive a certificate of completion instead of a diploma. As soon as the school receives official notification that the student has passed the ISTEP+, the school will send a diploma.
  3. If a student completes all of the necessary requirements, but is involved in any major violation of the school rules, he/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/she completed the requirement, however he/she does not have the right to participate in Commencement.
  4. Unless excused by the principal, any senior who does not attend the graduation practice may not participate in the Commencement ceremonies. He/she may attend the Baccalaureate liturgy with the approval of the administration.
  5. All tuition and fees must be paid to receive a diploma and final grades.
In order to receive a diploma from Bishop Chatard High School, students in the Class of 2024 are required to:

  1. Complete a total of 8 semesters in high school,
  2. Successfully complete the academic requirements for either a Core 40 (48 credits) or Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma (55 credits) while maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or higher; and
  3. Fulfill the Indiana Graduation Pathway requirement

View diploma requirements here

Details

  • 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/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/she completed the requirement, however he/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 the Commencement ceremonies. He/she may attend the Baccalaureate liturgy with the approval of the administration.
  • All tuition and fees must be paid to receive a diploma and final grades.

We realize that it is a heart-wrenching experience for a senior not to be able to participate in Commencement, but these policies were developed in justice to the many seniors who have worked long and hard towards graduation. Bishop Chatard reserves the right to establish policies concerning a student’s participation.

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.