Graduation at Bishop Chatard High School

Class of 2026 Graduation

Graduation Practice: May 14, 2026 (Thurs)
Baccalaureate Mass: May 14, 2026 (Thurs)
Commencement Ceremony: May 17, 2026 (Sun)

Details will be posted as they become available.

In mid-October, Bishop Chatard’s diploma company, Herff-Jones, will contact you with
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

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 14, 2026 - BCHS Main Gym

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 17, 2026 - 1:30 pm - BCHS Main Gym

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 Codes for Events

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: Skirts, dresses or dress pants with the following guidelines:

No denim, jeans or skinny pants
Skirts and dresses should be no shorter than two inches above the top of the knee
Skirts and dresses must not be tight or form-fitting. No more than 3 inch slit.
Shirts should not be low cut, sheer or transparent, or skin-tight or form fitting
Shoes – Flats or low-heeled, comfortable shoes are suggested.

Commencement Ceremony Tickets

Admission for guests is by ticket only. At graduation practice, each senior in the Class of 2026 will be given six tickets (4 bleacher seats and 2 floor seats) 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 unused 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.

Commencement Participation Policies

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

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.

Graduation Fee ($150)

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.

Diploma Requirements for Graduation

To receive a diploma from Bishop Chatard High School, students in the Class of 2026 are required to:

Complete a total of 8 semesters in high school
Successfully complete the academic requirements for either a Core 40 (48 credits) or Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma (55 credits);
Meet the requirements for Indiana’s graduation pathways

View diploma requirements here