Commencement (Graduation)

Commencement 2024

Hello Parents/Guardians and Grads of 2024,

DateWednesday, June 26th, 2024 
Time: Arrival 9:00am, Ceremony 10:00am
LocationThe Embassy of the Kingdom of God416 Taunton Road WestOshawa, Ontario  L1H 7K4 

Participation Requirements

In order to participate in the June 26th, 2025 commencement ceremony, students must have fulfilled the requirements of the following policies:

  • Achieved a minimum of 28 credits (in order to earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma, you must earn 30 credits); including 2 e-learning credits (or submitted the opt-out form to Guidance)
  • Completed 40 hours of community service
  • Successfully completed the Ontario Literacy Requirement
  • Cleared all debts with administration
  • Paid the graduation fee of $85 which will be posted to School Cash Online or cash only paid directly at the Main Office. This includes: Venue, facility staff and refreshments, Diploma, Program, Cap, Gown and Tassel 

Caps and Gowns

Students must have completed the "Grade 12 Graduation Exit Plan Survey" as posted in Edsby "Potential Grads 2023-2024" group to indicate their Commencement gown size and post-secondary plan by Friday January 12th. The cap size is not required as one size fits all (elastic headband). 

Graduation Award/Bursary Reference Forms

Graduates are encouraged to complete a “Graduation Award/Bursary Reference Form” in order to be considered for various awards/bursaries. This form will be available on Edsby "Potential Grads 2023-2024" group after March Break. Students are encouraged to complete the form by Friday April 26th, 2024 to be considered for various Graduation awards.

This is a voluntary submission, not mandatory or expected of any student. Students who submit the profile will be considered for various in-school awards which are quite modest in their monetary value. Some awards are recognition only. For any student interested in considering sizable scholarships/bursaries, please contact the college and university websites directly. 

If you have questions about your profile please contact Mrs. Stanesic in Guidance.

Important Dates (2023-2024)

  • Graduation photos: Make your appointment at bookmygrad.ca using the school code KTM
    • Original dates: January 22 - 26
    • Retakes: March 20
    • Annual City-Wide retake day
  • Valedictorian Nominations: February 5 - 9 
  • Valedictorian Election: March 4 - 8
  • Prom:
    • Date: Thursday May 30
    • Location: Ajax Convention Centre
    • Tickets on sale via School Cash Online until May 1
  • Grad Rehearsal & Breakfast: Friday June 7, Grad Gown distribution to follow
  • Commencement: Wednesday June 26
    • Flowers and other memorabilia for your graduate can be ordered in advance and picked up before the ceremony in the lobby of The Embassy: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/st-mary-css/. Please note this is the only school sanctioned gradwear.
    • Photos taken during the ceremony can be accessed at edgephotos.ca from July 7 to November 30. Our school code can be found in the Edsby "Grads 2023-2024".
    • Digital Program
  • Diploma & Certificate pickup: begins July 2nd (Monday to Thursday from 8:00am to 12:00pm in the Main Office). Schools are closed on Fridays throughout the summer.

Contact Us

If you require accessibility related accommodations for attendance at this event, please notify the organizer in advance of the date so that arrangements can be made.

If you or your parent/guardian have any questions regarding commencement, please contact Ms. Melissa Morrison at ext. 56004 or Melissa.Morrison@dcdsb.ca