NEW!! Read the AHS Senior Graduation Guide NEW!!
Class of 2026 - Senior Graduation Guide
Friday, May 29, 2026
at Burger Arena
12:00 pm
Please read through the following information carefully to ensure a smooth graduation. If you have questions, please contact the Anderson High School main office at (512) 414. 2538. You may also view graduation information on our website at www.austinisd.org/graduation.
CAP & GOWN INFORMATION
SENIOR ATTIRE
Graduation attire includes a graduation robe, cap, tassel, and any official regalia awarded by your campus. Heritage stoles may be permitted upon approval. Seniors should submit a photo of their proposed heritage stole for approval by campus administrators. Heritage stoles are the only permitted stoles allowed during the graduation ceremony. Please, no flags on the stoles.
No decorated caps, flowers, leis, money necklaces, Mardi Gras beads, flags, chains, LED flashing lights, etc. are permitted. Tassels are to be worn on the right side of the cap until the Principal directs Seniors to move to the left side at the end of the ceremony.
Seniors are encouraged to dress in business casual attire, with pockets for keys and cell phones. Do not bring backpacks, bags, purses, or other items since there is no secure area to leave items. Please wear comfortable shoes appropriate for the occasion (no tennis shoes or flip-flops). Remember you will walk up a ramp, across the stage, downstairs, to the photo area, and back to your seat.
I FORGOT TO ORDER MY GOWN, CAP, OR TASSEL
Do not let not having a cap or gown ordered deter you from participating in graduation. Herff-Jones will also be at the graduation site to sell caps and gowns if you did not place an order or need a tassel with the Class of 2026.
GRADUATION EVENT INFORMATION
WRISTBANDS FOR SEATING CAPACITY - BURGER ARENA
Distribution of wristbands to senior parents/families will greatly aid in managing seating capacity for Burger Arena. Determine how best to ensure families have their wristbands and attendance at the ceremony is a happy and joyous occasion.
Anderson High School guests will require a wristband for admittance.
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Wristbands will be distributed Monday, 5/11 2026 through Friday, 5/15/2026 during lunch in the Registrar's office.
Each student will receive 9 wristbands. Additional wristbands will not be issued. Anyone without a wristband will not be permitted to attend the ceremony. Guests, including children, that take up a seat need to have a wristband.
Important: If students have not completed their FAFSA requirements, students will not be issued wristbands. Completing the FAFSA is a graduation requirement. Please see Mrs. Spencer in the College and Career Center for assistance with completing the FAFSA or to sign the opt-out form.
Keep your wristbands in a safe location. Lost wristbands will not be reissued.
If you have extra wristbands, you may take them to the ceremony and leave them with Austin ISD staff. They will distribute the extras, if any, to families that have brought more than 9 people. Please do not bring extra wristbands to campus for redistribution.
Students must present their Senior ID to pick up the wristbands.
PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION
In front of the building, disabled parking spots and a designated drop-off area are located. AISD Transportation will run a shuttle service from the campus parking lot to the Graduation site. Shuttles will run 2 hours before and 2 hours after graduation. Park in lots A, B, C, E, and F.
BURGER ARENA & STADIUM—Parking is available off Hwy 290 West and Jones Rd.
Parking - $15.00 prepaid / $20.00 day of event Links to prepay on AISD website:
Prepaid Parking Link <<<=====
Rideshare Drop-Off/Pick-Up Locations
- US 290: 4715 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78745
- Jones Rd.: 3000 Jones Rd., Austin, TX 78745
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Visitors are required to use clear bags at any Austin ISD facility. All guests may be subject to a visual inspection and a bag inspection conducted by an AISD staff member.
Approved bags must be:
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and have a maximum of one logo imprint not exceeding 4.5 in. x 3.4 in.
- Clear bags cannot exceed 12 in. x 6 in. x 12 in.
- A clear one-gallon resealable plastic freezer storage bag is allowed—only one per person.
- The only non-clear bags permitted are small clutch bags (with or without a strap) the size of a hand and not exceeding 4.5 in. x 6.5 in.
- Exceptions for medically necessary items will be made after proper inspection at designated areas.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Please note that failure to comply with guidelines may result in ejection from the venue.
- Disorderly conduct
- Food and drinks (free bottled water will be provided)
- Smoking/Vaping
- Alcohol may not be served or consumed on any AISD property
- Laser pointers
- Littering
- Noisemakers or air horns
- Use of drones
- Balloons, confetti, silly string, powder, beach balls, large posters, and streamers
- Glitter (thrown, displayed, or worn)
- Firearms, explosives, and weapons are not allowed on any AISD property.
- Any item deemed inappropriate for the event by AISD staff.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
Graduates must behave at their best upon arrival, during, and after the event. Graduates are expected to remain seated and in attendance through the end of the graduation ceremony. We ask that Seniors remain with their Class of 2026 and cannot leave early before the event ends.
ARRIVAL - SENIORS
Seniors should report to the graduation site no later than one hour before the ceremony. Graduates can begin arriving at 10:30 am. They must check in with campus staff and line up alphabetically to be ready to enter the venue on time. Look for the signs directing Seniors where to check in. Water will be available for seniors. Once you are marked present, you will receive your Class of 2026 medallion. If you don’t check in at the Senior area, we will assume you aren’t present, and your name will not be called during the ceremony.
BURGER ACTIVITY CENTER GRADUATION
Student drop-off is on the West side (Hwy 290 - Visitors side), gate by the ticket booth underneath Burger Stadium. Seniors are to enter the middle gate (the fenced area underneath the stadium) as directed, and parents are to enter via the arena through 4 entrances at the corner of the building. Look for signs directing Seniors and Parents where to enter.
ARRIVAL - GUESTS
The graduation ceremony will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Please allow plenty of time for transportation, traffic, and parking. Facility parking instructions will be displayed on signs and by AISD Police, who will be on-site to direct parking and traffic. Shuttle buses will run from each campus two hours before and two hours after the ceremony concludes. No Balloons - parking lot staff will remind guests as they exit vehicles. No “Fat Head” posters - due to obstructing view of other guests.
GRADUATION ITEMS FOR SALE AT EVENTS
There will be items for sale at the graduation that can be purchased before, during, or after graduation. These include flowers, t-shirts with the high school logo, and teddy bears. Items can also be purchased online and picked up at the event.
Anderson HS Memories Items for Purchase Link <<<====
MOBILITY-IMPAIRED GUESTS & ADA SEATING
On-site handicapped parking is available. Upon arrival at the graduation site, inform AISD staff at the entrance of your needs.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) SEATING AND INTERPRETATION
Families needing ASL Interpretation will be seated in a designated area for enhanced viewing. Please notify AISD staff at the facility's entrance that you need ASL seating. Families can scan a QR code and access subtitles during the ceremony on their mobile devices.
SPANISH LANGUAGE TRANSLATION
Families needing Spanish-language translation services will have the option on our Facebook Live stream during the event. Simply scan a QR code at the event using a mobile device and listen on your device with earbuds or headphones.
VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN FAMILY SEATING
Families of high school valedictorians and salutatorians will have a designated seating area. Upon entering the graduation site, please notify ushers that you need to know where the reserved Val/Sal seating area is.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE CEREMONY - SENIORS
Seniors check-in upon arrival. After checking in, they line up in alphabetical order. When it is time to enter the event venue, they follow the line leader to their seat. After the speeches, line leaders signal seniors when to stand, and the entire row in each section stands at once to line up and approach the stage. Seniors walk onto the stage, receive their diploma cover from the Principal, and return to their seats.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE CEREMONY - GUESTS
Please refer to the graduation program for the order of events for the ceremony. Once Seniors begin receiving diplomas, please hold your applause until the end of the awarding of diplomas so that every family can hear their child’s name announced. Bring stadium seats, if desired. Water will be available for guests.
AFTER THE EVENT
Guests are asked to remain seated until all graduates have exited via the recessional. Graduates are encouraged to meet their families and guests outside the venue. We ask that guests help by picking up water bottles and discarded items so the next ceremony has a clean area.
DIPLOMAS AND FINAL TRANSCRIPTS
Seniors will receive a diploma cover at graduation, not the actual diploma. Diplomas will be available for pick up from the registrar’s office on June 10, 2026 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Remember that once students graduate, they cannot access Naviance and must order transcripts through the Registrar’s Office. Seniors should provide a personal email address to the Registrar's office to ensure reliable communication.
WATCH GRADUATION LIVE!
Graduation will be recorded and broadcast on AISD TV Channel 22, YouTube, and Facebook. Great effort and planning are being invested into making this milestone special for all graduates and their families, whether as regularly planned or if changed in response to weather conditions. AISD appreciates the adaptability and understanding of our students and families.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN
Indoor Event: Burger Arena
The contingency plan includes postponing the event start time until the inclement weather has passed. AISD has made alternate plans and arrangements for the indoor ceremonies. AISD will decide if necessary and communicate any updates to high school families on our district website, Facebook, and X accounts, as well as through the district notification system email and school messenger.
GRADUATION PHOTO PROOFS
Please be aware that shortly following graduation your AISD Email address will be disabled.
Given this fact - in order for you to receive your graduation photo proofs from Keep it Digital (the official graduation photography service provider) your personal contact information (specifically including your PERMANENT Email address) needs to be provided. To provide contact information specifying where you would like your proofs to be sent, use the link below.
Please remember students - DO NOT submit your AISD email address.
Students: If you choose not to complete this you will likely not receive your graduation photo proofs.
Link to the proof request form that needs to be filled out:
https://keepitdigital.com/proof-request-form/
Your Memories Made Better™ - Keep it Digital® ( www.keepitdigital.com )
Follow us on Facebook - facebook.com/keepitdigital
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT GRADUATION
Please visit the Austin ISD website- Graduation 2026 Frequently Asked Questions:
The Project Graduation Committee has been working hard to ensure a fun, safe, lock-in event to be held on graduation night, Friday, May 29, until the wee hours of Saturday, May 30. The goal is to keep our students off the road on an evening that traditionally has a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents. Please mark your calendars as all graduates will need transportation to/from the event. Drop off will be late on Friday; pick up will be early on Saturday. We will send
out location and exact times in the coming months. Make sure you and your Class of 2026 Senior are following us on instagram - @ahs_projectgrad_2026. This will be our main form of communication leading up to the event, as well as on the night of the event, and this is how we will announce the prize winners.
Thank you for your help in making PG 2026 a HUGE SUCCESS!
LC Anderson High School Project Graduation is a 501(c)3 organization in service of providing a
safe and secure celebration for seniors on graduation night.