High Schools in Orange County

Plus 2026 GRADUATION DATES AND TIMES

For a list of High Schools in Orange County, including 2026
graduation dates and times, please refer to our list below.
If your high school is missing, please let us know, and we will add it.

The History of High School Graduation Ceremonies

High school graduation ceremonies have a rich history dating back to ancient times, though their modern form has evolved significantly over the years. Here’s an overview:

1. Ancient Roots: Graduation ceremonies have their roots in ancient Greece, where students would mark the completion of their education with rites of passage. These ceremonies often involved speeches, performances, and feasting.
2. Medieval Universities: During the medieval period, universities began holding graduation ceremonies known as commencement exercises. These ceremonies were formal events where students received their degrees and were often marked by religious rituals and academic regalia.
3. Colonial America: The tradition of graduation ceremonies was brought to America by European settlers. Early American colleges and universities adopted the practice of holding commencement exercises similar to those in Europe.
4. 19th Century: As public education became more widespread in the United States, high schools began holding graduation ceremonies. These ceremonies were typically simple affairs, often held in school auditoriums or churches, and attended by only a small number of people.
5. 20th Century: Graduation ceremonies became more elaborate and formalized. High schools began to adopt traditions such as caps and gowns, diplomas, and the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” as graduates processed into the ceremony.
6. Post-World War II: After the war, high school graduation ceremonies became even more widespread and important cultural events. As more young people began to attend high school, graduation ceremonies took on greater significance as rites of passage marking the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
7. Modern Ceremonies: Today, high school graduation ceremonies are highly ritualized events that typically include speeches by school officials, the awarding of diplomas, the conferring of academic honors, and the playing of ceremonial music. Graduates often wear caps and gowns, and families and friends gather to celebrate the graduate’s achievements.
8. Variations: While many graduation ceremonies follow similar formats, there is also considerable variation depending on cultural, regional, and individual differences. Some schools may incorporate religious elements into their ceremonies, while others may emphasize secular traditions. Additionally, there has been a trend towards more personalized and creative graduation ceremonies in recent years, with some schools experimenting with non-traditional venues, formats, and rituals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, high school graduation ceremonies have a long and storied history, evolving to reflect changes in education, society, and culture. Despite these changes, however, the fundamental purpose of graduation ceremonies remains the same: to celebrate the students’ accomplishments and mark their transition to the next stage of their lives.

 

Aliso Viejo   Aliso Niguel High School Graduation   June 4, 4:00 pm @ Wolverine Stadium   28000 Wolverine Way   Website

Anaheim   Canyon High School Graduation  June 11, 7:00 pm @ Fred Kelly Stadium   1401 North Handy Street   Website

Anaheim   Canyon Hills Promotion   June 10, 10:00 am @ Canyon Hills Outdoor Quad   260 Imperial Hwy   Website

Brea   Brea Canyon High School Graduation   May 28   Call School for Details   (714) 990-7882   Website

Brea   Brea-Olinda High School Graduation   June 2, 6:00 pm @ Brea High Wildcat Stadium   789 N Wildcat Way   Website

Costa Mesa   Corona Del Mar High School Graduation   June 4, 2:00 pm @ Corona Del Mar High Field   2985 Bear Street   Website

Costa Mesa   Costa Mesa High School Graduation   June 4, 1:30 pm @ Mustangs Field   2650 Fairview Rd   Website

Costa Mesa   Early College High School Graduation   June 2, 5:30 pm Call School For More Information   (714) 424-7990   Website

Costa Mesa   Monte Vista High School Graduation  June 5, 6:00 pm @ Sam Zackheim Stadium   (714) 424-5000   Website

Dana Point   Dana Hills High School Graduation   June 4, 4:00 pm @ Stadium   33333 Golden Lantern   Website

Fullerton   Fullerton Union High School Graduation   May 27, 7:00 pm @ Stadium   201 E. Chapman Ave   Website

Fullerton   La Vista/La Sierra High School Graduation  May 27  See Website for More Details  8833 Academy Way   Website

Fullerton   Sunny Hills High School Graduation   Call School for more Details  (714) 626-4200   Website

Garden Grove   Bolsa Grande High School Graduation   May 26, 2:00 pm @ Stadium   9401 Westminster Ave.   Website

Garden Grove   Garden Grove High School Graduation   May 26, 2:00 pm @  Michael A. Monsoor Memorial Stadium   11271 Stanford Ave   Website

Garden Grove   La Quinta High School Graduation   May 26, 6:00 pm @ Bolsa Grande High School   9401 Westminster Blvd.   Website

Huntington Beach   Huntington Beach High School Graduation   June 10, 4:00 pm @ Stadium Field   1905 Main St   Website

Huntington Beach   Marina High School Graduation   June 11, 4:00 pm @ Boswell Stadium   15871 Springdale St   Website

Irvine   Beckman High School Graduation, May 27, 3:00 pm & 6:30 pm @ Tustin High School Football Field   Website

Irvine   Creekside High School & San Joaquin High School Graduations  June 5, 2:00 pm @ Northwood High School Theater 5050 Barranca Parkway   Website

Irvine   Northwood High School Graduation   June 4, 4:00 pm @ Bren Events Center   100 Mesa Rd   Website

Irvine   Portola High School Graduation   June 4, 6:00 pm @ Portola Stadium   1001 Cadence   Website

Irvine   Woodbridge High School Graduation  June 4, 4:00 pm @ Irvine High School Stadium   4321 Walnut Ave   Website

Irvine   University High School Graduation   June 4, 9:00 am @ Bren Events Center   100 Mesa Rd   Website

Laguna Beach   Laguna Beach High School Graduation  June 11, 5:00 pm Call School For Location   (949) 497-7750   Website

Laguna Hills   Laguna Hills High School Graduation   June 4, Call for Time  @ Laguna Hills High School Stadium, Hawk Hwy   Website

Lake Forest   El Toro High School Graduation   June 4, 6:00 pm @ ETHS Athletic Complex (Charger Stadium)   25255 Toledo Way   Website

Las Flores   Tesoro High School Graduation   June 4, 4:00 pm @ Titan Stadium   1 Tesoro Creek Rd   Website

Los Alamitos   Los Alamitos High School Graduation  June 4, 7:00 pm @ Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Center   18400 Avalon Boulevard   Website

Mission Viejo   Capistrano High School Graduation   June 4, 4:00 pm @ Cougar Stadium   26301 Via Escolar   Website

Mission Viejo   Mission Viejo High School Graduation   June 4, Time TBA @ 25025 Chrisanta Drive   Website

Mission Viejo   Silverado High School Graduation   June 4, Time TBA @ Laguna Hills Community Center   25555 Alicia Pkwy   Website

Mission Viejo   Trabuco Hills High School Graduation  June 4, 6:00 pm @ High School   27501 Mustang Run   27501 Mustang Run   Website

Newport Beach   Newport Harbor High School Graduation   June 4, 5:30 pm @ Newport Harbor High School   600 Irvine Ave  Website

Orange   Richland High School/Alternative Ed. Graduation   June 11, 10:00 am @ Fred Kelly Stadium   1401 North Handy Street   Website

Orange   El Modena High School Graduation   June 11, 3:00 pm @ Fred Kelly Stadium   1401 North Handy Street   Website

Orange   Orange High School Graduation   June 10, 3:00 pm @ Fred Kelly Stadium   1401 North Handy Street   Website

Placentia   El Dorado High School Graduation   June 10, Call School for Time @ Bradford Stadium   1651 N. Valencia Ave   Website

Placentia   Valencia High School Graduation   June 11,  Call School For More Details   (714) 996-4970   Website

San Clemente   San Clemente High School Graduation   June 4, 4:00 pm @ Thalassa Stadium   700 Avenida Pico   Website

San Juan Capistrano   San Juan Hills High School Graduation  June 4, 5:00 pm @ Badlands Stadium   29211 Stallion Ridge   Website

Santa Ana   Santa Ana Unified School District Graduations   May 27-30   See Website For Details   Website

Santa Ana   Santa Ana High School Graduation   Call School For More Details   714.567.4900   Website

Tustin   Tustin High School Graduation   May 26, 6:00 pm @ Northrup Stadium   1171 El Camino Real   Website

Villa Park   Villa Park High School Graduation   June 10, 7:00 pm @ Fred Kelly Stadium   1401 North Handy Street   Website

Yorba Linda   Esperanza High School Graduation   June 11, 6:00 pm @ Shapell Stadium, YLHS   19900 Bastanchury Rd   Website

Yorba Linda   Yorba Linda High School Graduation   June 10, 6:00 pm @ Shapell Stadium, YLHS   19900 Bastanchury Rd   Website

 

***We are not responsible for errors and omissions.
At the time of this posting, dates and locations are accurate.
Please check when you go to make sure they have not been changed.

 

Written by: Patricia Braun – Publisher, My Local OC
Research by: Tina McNamara – Marketing Assistant, My Local OC