Graduation Fee

This fee covers the site rental, transportation, paper and printing. It must be paid prior to cap, gown, and ticket pickup. Scholarship assistance is available for families who need it. Please contact Assistant Principal Katrina Mezera to request scholarship help if needed.

Pay online through the Campus Parent Portal or pay in the Main Office with cash or a check payable to ISD 271. 

Commencement Attire / Cap & Gown Pick-Up

All students participating in commencement will wear the Kennedy graduation cap, gown, and tassel. These items are provided at no charge and are kept by the graduate. Orders will be taken later this year. Students not participating in the ceremony may also pick up their cap, gown and tassel. 

Seniors are responsible for picking up their own cap and gown. Friends or siblings may not pick up for each other. Cap & gowns can be picked up during the following times:

• May 13: Music Wing between 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• May 14: Music Wing between 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• May 15: Main Office between 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• May 18-22: Main Office between 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.   

To be eligible to pick up the cap & gown, students must have done the following:

• Pay any outstanding fines including the graduation fee. Return any outstanding school issued items (e.g. previous school year textbooks, media center books). Please contact Fiorela Esquivel-Martinez (fesquivelmartinez@isd271.org) or 952-681-5000 for support with this.
• Complete all Personal Growth Plan Lessons for 12th grade. See Ms. Jennings for help or status.
• Be within 3 credits of completing required coursework.

Students may wear cultural adornments that represent their culture, race, ethnicity, gender and/or sexual orientation. Adornments must be displayed respectfully, truly represent the identity of the wearer, and be consistent with other district policies and student handbook. Students may decorate their caps aligning to this same guidance. 

Graduation Tickets

Each graduate will receive up to eighteen (18) tickets for guest seating inside the stadium. Only guests with a ticket will be allowed to enter U.S. Bank Stadium. Graduates will pick up and sign for their tickets when they pick up their cap and gown. Any child requiring a seat must have a ticket. Tickets will be given to the graduate or guardian only. 

Extra tickets are not available; graduates should keep their tickets in a secure location. Lost tickets cannot be replaced.  Photocopied tickets will be denied entry to U.S. Bank Stadium. Guests without tickets should not come to U.S. Bank Stadium.

Ceremony Rehearsal

Students will participate in a ceremony rehearsal. More information will be posted closer to the date. 

Attending the Ceremony

We welcome all graduating seniors to invite up to eighteen (18) ticketed guests to the ceremony.

There is no overflow viewing at the ceremony. Guests without tickets will not be permitted at the stadium. Guests will not be granted access to U.S. Bank Stadium after the ceremony has ended. Guests who leave the building during the ceremony will not be readmitted.

Ticketed guests are responsible for their own transportation to U.S. Bank Stadium. 

There is ample parking near U.S Bank Stadium; nearby ramps and lots set their own rates. Please visit the venue's directions and parking information webpage for details about U.S Bank Stadium’s layout, parking, etc. 

Large bags, large purses, backpacks and outside food and drinks are not allowed at U.S Bank Stadium by guests or graduates. Graduates will be checked to ensure they bring only their gown, cap, and tassel as they get on the bus. They will not be permitted to have anything else in their possession (backpacks, purses, flowers, water bottles, etc.). Sanitary products will be provided in lobby bathrooms for students.

All graduates and guests are expected to adhere to all Kennedy High School expectations throughout the evening in order to keep a safe and supportive environment for everyone. Any student or guest not adhering to these guidelines will be removed from the ceremony. It is important that the names of all the graduates are heard at U.S. Bank Stadium and on the recordings. Noise-making equipment is not permitted and we ask for your help in allowing each name to be heard.

At the end of the ceremony the graduates will have a formal recessional; guests should remain seated until all graduates have left the field area. Graduates will recess to the lobby where they can meet their guests. Guests are expected to depart 20 minutes after the conclusion of the ceremony. Students choosing to take the bus back to Kennedy will meet the buses where they were dropped off. Buses will leave for Kennedy about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the ceremony. 

Attention Parents of Seniors!

Follow @jfkseniorsparty on Instagram for Senior Party information. This is not a school sponsored event.