High school seniors across Burke County are getting ready to turn their tassels this week.
Here’s everything you need to know about graduation for Burke County’s largest high schools, including when to get there, where to park and which schools are requiring tickets.
Watching online
Cheryl Shuffler, public relations officer for Burke County Public Schools, said the district plans to livestream each ceremony on its YouTube channel for those who can’t make it to the graduation.
Find the BCPS YouTube channel at .
Burke Middle College
Graduates will be accepting high school diplomas and associate degrees in two separate ceremonies on Tuesday, May 27.
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Both ceremonies will be held at The Old Rock School in Valdese. The first starts at 4 p.m. with honor graduates who earned their associate of science, computer engineering, cosmetology, information technology, medical assisting and mechatronics.
The second ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. to honor associate of arts graduates and those with degrees in building construction technology, digital effects and animation technology and simulation and game development.
Families can arrive as early as 30 minutes before the ceremony begins. The doors will be closed once the ceremony begins and will not reopen until it is finished.
Draughn High School
The Wildcats will accept their diplomas at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 29.
Graduates are limited to eight tickets per student. The graduation ceremony will be held inside the gymnasium.
People can arrive up to an hour early. Doors will close promptly at 6 p.m.
Parking will be available in staff and student lots, and parking attendants will be on site to help guide drivers to parking spots.
East Burke High School graduates celebrate at 2019 graduation.
East Burke High School
Cavalier families can arrive as early as 8 a.m. for East Burke’s graduation on May 31.
The ceremony will begin at noon in the gymnasium. Students are limited to 12 tickets each.
The doors will close five minutes before the ceremony begins. Overflow seating is available for late arrivals.
Parking will be available in staff and student lots, and parking attendants will be on-site to help guide drivers to parking spots.
Patton High School
Patton Panthers will graduate Friday, May 30, at 6 p.m. in the school’s gym.
Patton students can have eight guests in the gym for graduation and up to two people in the overflow auditorium.
Doors open an hour before graduation and will close five minutes before the ceremony. Parking will be available in staff and student lots, and parking attendants will be on-site to help guide drivers to parking spots.
Freedom High School graduates move their tassels at the 2022 graduation.
Freedom High School
Freedom graduates will be recognized at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 31.
It’s the only school planning to have its graduation outside, weather permitting. Students do not have a limit as to how many guests they can bring with them.
In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside and students will be limited to six tickets each.
Doors will open an hour before the ceremony. Parking will be available in staff and student lots, and parking attendants will be on-site to help guide drivers to parking spots.
