11/12/2025
To: Gloucester County Public Schools Community
From: Gloucester High School Administration
Date: November 12, 2025
Subject: Class of 2026 Graduation
Gloucester High School is pleased to announce that the Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the College of William & Mary’s Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Gloucester County School Board for their thoughtful deliberations and careful consideration of community feedback. The Board voted on October 12 to approve holding the 2026 graduation at Kaplan Arena.
Background and Rationale
This decision follows extensive input from students, parents, staff, and community members through the district’s graduation venue survey. Feedback showed strong support for an indoor venue to provide a comfortable, safe, and accessible experience for all guests. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gloucester High School previously held its graduation ceremonies at Kaplan Arena. The location is familiar to many in our community and represents a return to a well-known, reliable, and successful venue for this milestone event. Key considerations included:
Weather Protection: Heat, humidity, and unpredictable weather were top concerns raised by families and staff. The indoor environment at Kaplan Arena eliminates these risks and ensures the ceremony can proceed comfortably.
Accessibility: Many community members emphasized the need for improved accommodations for elderly and disabled guests. Kaplan Arena provides ADA-compliant entrances, accessible seating, and climate control to ensure all attendees can participate safely.
Comfort and Dignity: The facility provides ample seating, clear sightlines, and a professional setting that reflects the importance of this celebration.
Community Feedback Highlights - Survey results showed clear support for an indoor graduation:
A majority of respondents preferred moving the ceremony indoors.
The most common concerns cited were heat, humidity, inclement weather, and limited accessibility at outdoor locations.
While some valued the tradition of Duke Field, the broader community favored a venue that prioritizes comfort, safety, and accessibility.
Next Steps:
Further details about tickets, parking, arrival times, and accessibility arrangements will be provided in the spring.
We appreciate the partnership of our families, staff, and School Board in shaping this decision.
Gloucester High School looks forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 in a safe, familiar, and memorable setting at Kaplan Arena.
Sincerely,
Gloucester County School District