HCPS will hold traditional in-person graduations at Richmond Raceway for the Class of 2021

Henrico County Public Schools seniors will gather in person with their classmates at traditional graduation ceremonies to be held in June. Ceremonies for HCPS’ nine comprehensive high schools and two Advanced Career Education centers will be held June 14-17 at Richmond Raceway, while the graduating class at the Academy at Virginia Randolph will hold its ceremony June 9 at the Virginia Randolph Recreation Area. The events will conform to all public health requirements for in-person graduations outlined by Gov. Northam in association with an April 1 update to Northam’s Executive Order 72.

Richmond Raceway’s size will enable each school’s graduating seniors to gather as a group and take part in a traditional ceremony, accepting their diplomas in person. The students will process as a class from beneath the grandstands, walk past friends and family in the grandstands and descend to a grassy seating area just across the track. Students will remain 6 feet apart and seats will be spaced accordingly. As is traditional, students will ascend a stage and accept their diplomas.

Each graduating student will receive four tickets for family and friends to attend the ceremony, and each student’s group will sit together as a pod in the raceway’s grandstands, separated from other groups by 6 feet. Professional-quality sound systems and video boards will also be in place to amplify the students’ processional, songs, speeches, and the recognition of each graduate by name as they walk across the stage. Graduations will also be live-streamed at www.henricoschools.us, ensuring that relatives and loved ones can also watch from their computers and mobile devices.

Specific information about each school’s graduation will come from the school’s principals or senior administrators. Information will also be added in coming weeks to HCPS’ Graduations Hub, which is at https://henricoschools.us/graduations/.

HCPS graduation schedule            

Virginia Randolph Recreation Area

2175 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, Va. 23060 

Wednesday, June 9

• The Academy at Virginia Randolph (7 p.m.)

Richmond Raceway Complex

600 E. Laburnum Ave., Henrico, Va. 23222

Monday, June 14

• Advanced Career Education Centers at Hermitage and Highland Springs (6 p.m.)

Tuesday, June 15

• Henrico High School (10 a.m.)
• Highland Springs High School (2 p.m.)
• Varina High School (6 p.m.)

Wednesday, June 16

• Douglas S. Freeman High School (10 a.m.)
• Deep Run High School (2 p.m.)
• Mills E. Godwin High School (6 p.m.)

Thursday, June 17

• J.R. Tucker High School (10 a.m.)
• Glen Allen High School (2 p.m.)
• Hermitage High School 6 p.m.)

Friday, June 18

• Rain date