Half-Cap
Ceremonies
Grade 10
Half-Cap Ceremonies
Objective/Goals: Help students understand the value of school and graduation.
Honor the students that are on track to graduate.
Video Outlining Half-Cap Ceremony:
http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=6006
What is a Half-Cap Ceremony? The Half-Cap Ceremony is an opportunity to recognize
sophomore students that are on pace to graduate. It is very similar in nature to a high school
graduation for seniors, but for sophomores.
 A student speaks for 5 minutes about the importance of continuing on with
education, to high school graduation and beyond.
 Students walk across stage to receive their half-diploma and shake the principal’s
hand.
 A reception for students and parents follows.
What are the Requirements for sophomores to qualify?
 In its simplest form, students need to be on track to graduate (half the credits to
graduation)
o After 3 semesters (freshman year and 1st semester sophomore year) they need
to have passed all their classes or completed credit recovery for failed courses
o As of a set date (April 1st) in their 2nd semester of their sophomore year, students
need to be on pace to pass all of their classes
 Students need to have completed all of their Personal Education Plan requirements
o Post Secondary and Career Survey (Naviance)
o 4 Year High School Course Plan (Naviance)
How will I get Students to participate?
 Creating a professional and excited environment will create buy-in from students,
parents, teachers and administrators.
 Have the students be part of creating the Half-Cap Ceremony. Create a half cap student
group to help plan and advertise.
 Allowing any student who participates a half day off will almost guarantee positive
feelings and attendance. (This must be approved through the principal)
Why should we do a Half-Cap Ceremony?
 Sophomore year is an easy year for students to get lost and lose contact with teachers,
administrators and counselors. This is great opportunity to engage them and keep
them invested in school.
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It is a positive experience for all (students, families and school staff) involved for a
small amount of work.
It is a chance to highlight the importance of graduating HS and an opportunity to
engage the students that are not on target to graduate.
The Half-Cap Journey (Beginning to End)
 Step 1 (November): Discuss Half-Cap Ceremony with your school’s principals,
assistant principals, counselors and other school stakeholders, and get the necessary
support to move forward with the ceremony.
Things to Discuss:
Budget and Fundraising: The biggest cost for this event is the refreshments afterwards.
How will you create the money for the ceremony pay for these refreshments? Start by
having a conversation with your administration about paying for refreshments.
Donations, fundraisers, school budget, etc…( Charging participating students a small
fee ($15) or setting up fundraisers at athletic events or other school related functions.)
Venue: Best to use school gym, auditorium or another school/district venue as it will
usually be free.
Food: Using the HS Cafeteria can help reduce costs. Call to local food providers and
ask for a donation or a reduced cost on food can be effective.
Half-Cap Programs: Some schools have Computer Graphics and Design classes that
can help create programs.
Half-Cap and Gown: What type of outfits would you like the students to wear?
Date: The best day for the ceremony is on a Friday in May before the end of the school
year. Make sure to have the ceremony take place during school hours (9am-noon).
Schools will run into an attendance problem otherwise.
Requirements: There are some outlined requirements above, but each school can
create their own requirements.
 Step 2 (December): Set a date and reserve venues (Ceremony and Reception)
 Step 3 (January): Create a list of students that are able to participate in half-cap
ceremonies based on requirement criteria. Advertise Half-Cap Ceremony using flyers,
announcements and word of mouth. Reach out to students and ask them to participate
in Half-Cap Ceremony and create student group to help plan.
 Step 4 (February): Send invitations or letters home to all parents of students that
qualify for Half-Caps, outlining the Half-Cap Ceremony and relaying any necessary
information to parents.
 Step 5 (February): Reserve food and double check on venue reservations.
Determine uniform outfits/dress code for students. (Some schools have had students
wear all white; Others have created half-cap and half gown; Something unique to
signify the event)
*One on One: Meet with students to discuss half-caps, continue to advertise using
flyers, post a list of students that have reserved a spot, visit classrooms, make
announcements over intercom.
*Ask for help from teachers and administrators. Have teachers make announcements
in classrooms. Do whatever necessary to connect with and engage students about HalfCaps.
 Step 6 (March): Create Ceremony Day of Events.
*Find outstanding students to give speeches.
*Ask teachers or administrators to be part of ceremony.
*Could ask students to give a performance (band, dance group, etc…)
*Create slideshow of students and their accomplishments.
 Step 7 (April): Double check student’s current grades to ensure passing grades for
current semester. Create Certificate and Ribbon.
 Step 8 (May): Organize your Half-Cap team (individuals that will help you with the
ceremony). Run through a practice session so that everybody is on the same page (It
would be ideal to have the students available for a practice session).
 Step 9 (May): Half-Cap Ceremony!!
Our Students are Half-Way…….
…….to Graduation!!!