Graduation 2026

Graduation Logistics: June 12, 2026

Students, families and friends of the graduating class of 2026 - the time is here! This Friday, June 12, we are excited and proud to celebrate your hard work and great accomplishments at the 2025-26 Commencement Ceremony.

Please view details below to build your graduation day itinerary: 

Graduation will take place at the Dean E. Smith Center (300 Skipper Bowles Dr, Chapel Hill, NC) on Friday, June 12, 2025.

Cedar Ridge High School will begin at 10:00 a.m. Orange High School will begin 1:00 p.m. Doors will open one (1) hour prior to each ceremony (9:00 for CRHS, 12:00 p.m. for OHS).

Parking

Parking is free of charge. Public parking near the Smith Center is available in the Manning Lot, Bowles Lot and Craige Deck (via the Blythe Drive back side entrance.) Accessibility parking with shuttle service is available at the Williamson Lot. Click here for an interactive parking map. 

Will the graduation ceremonies be livestreamed?

No, the Commencement Ceremonies will not be livestreamed. Please visit Orange County Schools Instagram and Facebook for photos after the ceremony.

Dean E. Smith Center Policies

• Graduates should anticipate a brief security search upon entering the building. Please have gowns unzipped as you enter the Dean E. Smith Center to ensure a quick and smooth process. 
• Clear bags are preferred in order to reduce your screening time at the doors. All bags are subject to search.
• The Dean Smith Center prohibits noise makers, confetti, balloons, wrapped gifts, firearms and alcoholic beverages. If you are carrying any of these items, you will be asked to leave them outside.
• Cameras, bouquets of flowers, appropriate signs, unopened food and drink are welcome. Limited concessions will be sold at the Dean E. Smith Center.

November 22, 2024

 

Dear Orange County Schools Seniors and Families,

We are excited to announce that traditional high school graduation for the Class of 2025 will be back in the Dean E. Smith Center at the University of North Carolina! 

We are sharing this information as soon as possible to help you, your families, and your supporters plan for the best possible experience and celebrate your hard-earned achievements.

LOCATION

All rehearsals and ceremonies for Cedar Ridge High School and Orange High School will be located in the Dean E. Smith Center (“Dean Dome”) at UNC-Chapel Hill, 300 Skipper Bowles Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

SCHEDULE 

Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2025 in the Dean Dome. Orange High School will graduate at 3:00 p.m. Cedar Ridge High School will graduate at 7:00 p.m. Rehearsals will be Thursday, June 12, 2025 in the Dean Dome. Orange High School will start at 9:00 a.m. Cedar Ridge High School will start at 11:00 a.m. 

Doors will open one (1) hour before each ceremony begins (2:00 p.m. for Orange High School, 6:00 p.m. for Cedar Ridge High School). Parking for families will be available after 12:00 p.m.

HOW WE GOT HERE

To find the most suitable indoor location for this year’s ceremonies, Orange County Schools has been in touch with nearly a dozen possible venues in three counties (Orange, Alamance, Durham), proposing various potential schedules. Due to limited seating, potential cost, and the dates available, none of those options were suitable. 

We are happy to announce that while the Dean Dome was not originally open for any dates this year, collaboration with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools has made this year’s venue and schedule a success. This is a big win for our graduating class!

The Dean Dome was unavailable for our graduations in June 2024, and Cedar Ridge and Orange High Schools moved ceremonies to our football fields.

While our stadiums had more seating than any indoor venues, we spent long hours last year in traffic lines and waiting in the sun before graduation. Additionally, the cost of graduation increased significantly because of the move to our campuses. We were also required to schedule two possible rain dates in case of bad weather. 

In almost any other scenario, we would have needed to limit seating for friends and family with tickets for graduation in 2025. For an indoor venue with unlimited seating and handicapped accessibility, the Dean Dome offers the best possible experience for our ceremonies. To accommodate all the friends and family of our graduates, we are very pleased to return to the UNC campus for graduation this year.

WHAT’S NEXT

We will continue to share information as soon as it becomes available here on the OCS website: orangecountyfirst.com/graduation. 

We wish you and your fellow members of the Class of 2025 the very best as you continue your studies and prepare for this celebration. Thank you as always for supporting your school and Orange County Schools!

 

Graduation Details: June 13, 2025

Students, families and friends of the graduating class of 2025 - the time is here! This Friday, June 13, we are excited and proud to celebrate your hard work and great accomplishments at the 2024-25 Commencement Ceremony.

Please view details below to build your graduation day itinerary: 

Graduation will take place at the Dean E. Smith Center (300 Skipper Bowles Dr, Chapel Hill, NC) on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Orange High School's Commencement Ceremony will begin at 3:00 p.m. and Cedar Ridge High School will begin at 7:00 p.m. Doors will open one (1) hour prior to each ceremony (2:00 p.m. for OHS, 6:00 p.m. for CRHS).

Parking

Parking is free of charge. Public parking near the Smith Center is available in the Manning Lot, Bowles Lot and Craige Deck (via the Blythe Drive back side entrance.) Accessibility parking with shuttle service is available at the Williamson Lot. Click here for an interactive parking map. 

Will the graduation ceremonies be livestreamed?

No, the Commencement Ceremonies will not be livestreamed. Please visit Orange County Schools Instagram and Facebook for photos after the ceremony.

Dean E. Smith Center Policies

• Graduates should anticipate a brief security search upon entering the building. Please have gowns unzipped as you enter the Dean E. Smith Center to ensure a quick and smooth process. 
• Clear bags are preferred in order to reduce your screening time at the doors. All bags are subject to search.
• The Dean Smith Center prohibits noise makers, confetti, balloons, wrapped gifts, firearms and alcoholic beverages. If you are carrying any of these items, you will be asked to leave them outside.
• Cameras, bouquets of flowers, appropriate signs, unopened food and drink are welcome. Limited concessions will be sold at the Dean E. Smith Center.