Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2026 of Sammamish, Interlake, Newport, and Bellevue High Schools will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.  The schedule is below. These graduation ceremonies will be held at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

The Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion is an indoor arena on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle. It is located at 3870 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98105.

Schedule

• 9:00 am – Newport High School (graduates arrive @8:15, doors open for families @8:30)
• 12:30 pm – Bellevue High School (graduates arrive @ 11:45, doors open for families @12:00)
• 4:00 pm – Sammamish High School (graduates arrive @3:15, doors open for families @3:30)
• 7:30 pm – Interlake High School (graduates arrive @ 6:45, doors open for families @ 7:00)

 Parking

Parking for the Class of 2026 graduation ceremonies is available at lot E-18. The E-18 lot is located just north of the Alaska Airlines Arena on Montlake Blvd NE. See Map.

Lot E-18 is a self-serve pay by phone lot. The charge is typically under $15.00 per day. Families must pay for parking using the Pay by Phone Parking App (available on Google Play Store, the iOS App store or the Windows store), visiting the Pay by Phone website www.paybyphone.com or by calling 1-888-680-7275.

For your convenience, it is highly recommended that families set up a Pay by Phone Parking account in advance of June 12.

Additional information is available on the UW Parking website. 

The location number for E-18 is 123182 or 123183 for disability accessible spaces.

Entering the Alaska Airlines Arena

Entrances on the North and South side of the arena will be open for parents and guests. Graduates enter through the loading zone on the lower level of the arena in the shadow of the Husky Stadium. Watch for signs directing graduates down the ramp  to their entrance. All graduates MUST enter through the loading zone door and should not enter with parents and guests.

All guests and graduates will be subject to a bag search. Prohibited items include firearms, weapons, alcohol, balloons*, noise makers and open drink containers (water bottles*, etc.)

Alaska Airlines Arena has a clear bag policy for guests. Approved bags include,

• 1 gallon plastic freezer bag or
• 12” x 16” x 12” clear plastic bag.
• A small clutch style bag with shoulder or wrist strap measuring no larger than 4.5” by 6.5” is also allowed.
• Each guest is allowed one (1) clear bag and one (1) clutch.

 For a list of approved and not approved bags, please visit https://gohuskies.com/sports/2020/2/12/clear-bag-policy

 

A metal detector will be in use at the graduate entrance. Graduates may not enter with backpacks or bags. Wallets or clutch style bags no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches are allowed.

Strollers can be parked at a corral near the NW entrance of the arena. Stoller parking is not attended.

Prohibited items include firearms, weapons, explosives, dangerous chemicals, alcohol, balloons*, noise makers, confetti poppers and open drink containers (water bottles*, etc.)

*Balloons will be held at the entrance for pick up after the ceremony.

* Sealed (unopened) water bottles are allowed. Empty reusable bottles are allowed. Water fountains are available on the arena concourse. Water dispensers and cups will be available on the lower level for graduates.

Hearing devices will be available for pick up in front of the Hall of Fame on the concourse. Guests can bring their own headsets to use with the device if preferred. UW provides "in ear" headphones only. There are ample hearing devices and no need to reserve a device.

Ushers will be stationed on the concourse. Please ask an usher for assistance locating available ADA seating and restrooms.

To provide a fun and safe way for our seniors to celebrate the ending of their high school career with their friends, the PTSA hosts a Grad Night party for Sammamish Seniors! Details are top secret, but we can share that after you drop your senior off at Sammamish High at 10pm on graduation night, they will be in good hands as they’re whisked away on chartered buses to surprise destinations filled with fun activities, entertainment, catered food, non-alcoholic drinks and fantastic prizes. Security and chaperones will keep everyone safe. Pickup will be at school around 5am.

Sammamish Redhawks PTSA and Boosters – Class of 2026 (sammamishptsa.org)

For more information on the Grad Night Party, registration, and pricing, please visit the Sammamish Redhawks PTSA and Boosters – Grad Night Party 2026 (sammamishptsa.org)

Senior Checkout will be June 15, 11am - 3pm.  Seniors must complete the Senior Checkout process, before they will be able to collect their graduation tickets and, eventually, their diploma. Seniors will visit the following staff to complete their checkout:

• Counselors – Counselors will confirm the following with Seniors:
  • Completion of the High School & Beyond Plan
  • Eligibility for Graduation (ex. Grade Check, Graduation Requirements, etc)
• Technology – Turn in any BSD equipment (laptops, chargers, styluses, etc.) Running Start students can keep computer until they are ready to turn it in at WISC
• Accounting – Return books (if not returned in class) & confirm all fines/fees are cleared
• School Counselors: Graduation Tickets – After mandatory rehearsal.

 

Running Start Seniors: Important Updates regarding laptops, Diplomas, and final transcripts.

SHS Diploma Pickup: Running Start Seniors pick up Diplomas in the main office at SHS starting on Aug 24th. If a student cannot pick up during that window, please pick up in September.

Laptop Return: Running Start Seniors can keep their laptops until Bellevue College Finals are over. They will need to return their laptops to WISC 4 Helpdesk after June 26^th. Wilburton Instructional Service Center (WISC), Rainier Room Address: 12241 Main St, Bellevue WA 98005

Final Transcripts: Reminder: Spring term BC grades will be posted to Bellevue College transcripts on July 1, 2026, and grades will be sent to the high schools by July 3rd. Sammamish will update the HS transcript and add the spring term grades on July 7^th. Final Transcripts will be sent to the college listed in Naviance on July 8^th.

All Seniors Can pick up DIPOLMAS in the main office the day after Graduation! 

 Final Transcripts for Seniors:

 Your Final Transcript will be ready sometime during the first week of July. They will be transmitted electronically via Naviance by July 3rd. Transcripts will not be sent prior to this date.

Follow the steps below to request your final transcript!

1. Click on colleges I'm applying to 
2. Select the pencil icon to edit the record for the listed schools
3. For each school you applied to, select the appropriate decision from the dropdown menu (accepted or denied) or check "waitlisted" or "deferred" to the right-hand side of the Result line  
4. Click Update Applications at the bottom of the page 
5. Click on the Colleges tab and scroll down to College I am Attending
6. Select the college where you are enrolling (from the drop-down menu), so we can send them your final transcript in July. Click update.
7. If you are joining the military, joining an apprenticeship program, gap year or working full time after HS graduation, please send your counselor a message with your plans and we will update Naviance for you.
8. Congratulations! You're one step closer to graduation.

Complete ALL High School and Beyond Plan Tasks by 6/5/2026. Please connect with your Counselor for help with this. The High School and Beyond Plan Tasks every Senior must complete are as follows:

• Career Interest Profiler
• Create/Update 4- Year Plan
• Game Plan Survey
• Create/Update Resume
• Complete My Graduation Pathways Survey
• Complete My Financial Aid Options Survey
• Complete BSD Graduation Survey

Jostens Ordering Information:

Want that Senior Swag or to order your items for the Class of 2026 Graduation? Jostens will come to visit SHS on 11/12/25 and set up information about ordering. Reach out to our Jostens Representative, Mike Annis, by phone at (206) 931-4723 or by email at mike.annis@jostens.com.

Graduation Cap & Gowns:

To participate in the Graduation Ceremony, Seniors will need a cap, gown, stole & tassel. Seniors can place orders for these items, on the Jostens website click below. If you have any questions on how to order or need help with anything pertaining to your order, please reach out to our Jostens representative, Mike Annis, by phone at (206) 931-4723 or via email at mike.annis@jostens.com.

To look at Jostens Online Store, CLICK HERE

For information on graduation attire guidelines and cap decorations, check out our Graduation Attire Information page.

 If your family needs assistance with getting a cap and gown for your senior, please reach out to Ms. Gemmell or your student’s counselor

 

Honor Cords & Eligibility Requirements:

Graduates and their families will be notified of their graduates honor cord eligibility via email by the end of the day on TBA; they are $5.00/each.

Sammamish High School provides honor cord distinction for students achieving any of the three following accomplishments: Completing 200+ standalone community service hours, being a member of National Honors Society in good standing, Maintaining a Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better for their high school career, & receiving an International Spanish Academy (ISA) Diploma. Our 4.0 cumulative GPA students will receive recognition and a medal at Senior Recognition Night. Here are the requirements to achieve each distinction:

• 200+ Community Service Hours (Red & White Honor Cord): This distinction is given to students having completed 200 or more standalone hours of community service, during their time in high school, and is a celebration of students demonstrating extraordinary commitment in service to their community. These hours must be separate from any hours attributing to another distinction, such as National Honors Society, but may include the 40 hours required for graduation. All hours must be entered, approved & verified in Naviance no later than May 15, 2026, to qualify for this distinction.
• National Honors Society (Gold): Members of National Honors Society (NHS) demonstrate outstanding character, leadership, service, and academics. Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.65 or higher and meet community service requirements to qualify. Eligibility for this distinction is communicated and determined by the NHS Advisor, Ms. Beckerman.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or Better (Platinum): Students achieving this distinction will have achieved this by maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or more during their entire secondary education. 4.0 students are also eligible to receive this cord.
• International Spanish Academy (ISA) Diploma Recipients (White & Gold): Students receiving the International Spanish Academy (ISA) Diploma must complete the requirements outlined here.
• Cumulative GPA of 4.0 (Medal): Students having maintained a 4.0 cumulative GPA, throughout their entire secondary education, will receive this award.

Any students with questions regarding their eligibility for any of these distinctions can reach out to Jessica Soto at sotoj@bsd405.org or Rita Gemmell at gemmellr@bsd405.org for more information. We will be applying fees to all eligible student’s BSD accounts and families can pay for their cords online here, after TBA. Cords will be available for student pickup with the accountant once they have been paid for.