How early can we get there?
All guests will be admitted 30 minutes prior to the start of the graduation ceremony.
Are there any protocols or requirements for the graduates that need to be followed?
According to the Arlington Independent School District’s (AISD) Student Code of Conduct, a student’s participation in the district’s graduation ceremony is optional. For graduating seniors opting to attend the graduation ceremony, we advise and remind students of the following:
- During the graduation ceremonies, graduates must remain seated at all times, unless directed to stand;
- Graduates must comply with regular school rules regarding electronics, including cell phones and cameras;
- Male students are required to wear dress shirts and neckties. Female students are to wear blouses, dresses, skirts, or pants that comply with the AISD dress code. The principal is authorized to state standards for dress and behavior both prior to and during the ceremony, and to respond as needed;
- Conduct judged by the principal as being disruptive to the graduation ceremony will be addressed accordingly (e.g., removal from event and/or withholding of the diploma pending a parent conference);
Can I take pictures, or will pictures be taken during the ceremony of the graduates?
Due to fire code regulations, photos can not be taken from the aisles, but may be taken from guest seats. Professional photographers from Flash Photography will be taking two pictures of each graduate. Proofs will be emailed to students one week after the ceremony. Cost varies depending on the package ordered. Flash Photography may be reached at
www.flashphotography.com or 817-924-2626.
How can my family and friends watch graduation if they cannot be inside the concert hall?
The Arlington ISD will live stream each graduation on our YouTube channel so it can be viewed around the world. A link will be posted at www.aisd.net before each school’s graduation. Once the live streams are done, we will have the recording of each graduation ceremony available to view on our YouTube channel at
www.youtube.com/arlingtonisd.
Can we stay and take pictures after the ceremony?
All guests are asked to exit the venue immediately upon the conclusion of graduation. All graduates will meet their families and friends outside of the Center for Visual and Performing Arts – in the parking lot.
Where can guests park?
For your convenience, parking at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) will be available to you at no charge. Guests may park in the lots directly next to the venue (off Sanford Street), or in the lots in front of the adjacent Athletics Complex (off Division Street).
Where do students park?
For ease of access to the venue, student graduates may park in the CVPA lots next to the venue (off Sanford Street).
Can families bring air horns, balloons, etc., into the concert hall?
Possession or use of the following items by students and/or guests during the ceremony is not permitted: air horns, clappers, Frisbees, electronic noise or light-emitting devices, inflatable toys, balloons, whistles and footballs, or similar objects. This is a representative list. Any item or behavior of similar distraction will not be permitted.
Can I bring a purse or a bag to the graduation ceremony?
All bags and purses must be soft-sided and not exceed 16” x 16”x 8”. Backpacks are prohibited (with the exception of baby bags). Graduation facility staff reserves the right to search patrons at the management’s discretion.
What other items are prohibited at the CVPA?
Possession or use of the following items by students and/or guests during the ceremony is not permitted: alcohol, balloons, glitter, smoke bombs, bottles, cans, beverage containers of any kind, food items, firearms, weapons of any kind, laser pointers, noisemakers, professional audio or video recording devices, video cameras, GoPro or similar devices, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, chairs, stools, other seating devices, seat cushions, hard coolers, drones, or similar objects. Gifts items (gift bags, gift boxes, flowers, balloons, etc.) are not allowed inside the venue. This is a representative list. Any item or behavior of similar distraction will not be permitted
Will restrooms be open during graduation?
All restrooms in the seating areas being utilized will be open to guests.
Is there assistance from the parking lot to seating area for people who have trouble walking, are elderly or need some other type of assistance to get in and out of the venue?
The CVPA has several handicapped parking spaces in the lots immediately adjacent to the venue. However, the venue does not have shuttles or people assigned to assist guests to their seats. We recommend guests who need special assistance arrive early.
How many tickets does each student get?
Ticket allotments will be determined by the final graduate count for the campus. Students/families should contact their respective graduation coordinator for tickets.
How will I get tickets?
All entrance tickets to the ceremony will be dispersed at the graduate’s home campus through the campus graduation coordinator.
Can we give tickets to another graduate?
Graduates should consult with their home campus graduation coordinator for this and other campus guidelines.
Can we reuse tickets?
Each ticket has a unique code and may only be used by one person; any attempts to use copies of a ticket will result in non-admittance of guests.
What is the age requirement for needing a ticket to get inside the CVPA for the graduation ceremony?
All children, regardless of age, require a ticket. Even those sitting on a lap are considered a person per Texas Education Agency Graduation Guidelines, so they will need a ticket.