2022 Commencement

• June 12-15: Senior Rafting Trip
  • All of the forms and important information can be found here.
  • Questions? Reach out to Tom Handel.  
  • Friday, June 10 - Required COVID testing and pack check. 
     
• June 16: Senior Recognition, cap decorating, dinner, and Fine Arts Celebration!
  • Senior Recognition, 1–3 p.m. PST
  • Residential Family Senior Reception, 3:15 pm in the Dorms. The Head of Upper School and OES dorm staff will host a reception honoring our dorm seniors and their families.
  • Cap Decorating in EC3, 3-5:30 p.m.
  • Senior Dinner, 5:30 p.m. Immediately family members are welcome to this informal event. RSVP required; seating will be limited. 
  • Fine Arts Celebration, 6:30 p.m. (music beginning at 7:00 p.m.). A celebration of Upper School Musical and Visual Arts featuring work from many of our seniors. The music event will be held in the Great Hall and visual art projects will be on display in the Main Lobby and BDH galleries.
     
• June 17: Graduation Rehearsal and Commencement Ceremony!
  • Required for all Seniors attending graduation in person. 
  • 11 a.m. Students meet on campus to pick up their cap & gown and take a group class photo.
  • 12 p.m. Lunch on campus.
  • 1 - 3:30 p.m. Graduation rehearsal at Providence Park. Seniors will be transported there and back. 

• NO HEELS at Graduation
• Seniors will receive their Caps and Gowns on June 17, the day of rehearsal. Seniors who are not local have had their Caps and Gowns mailed to them, along with their diplomas and other graduation swag. If you are a local student who will not attend Graduation, please let Brooke know ASAP.
• Graduates should arrive in their caps and gowns. You will receive an OES stole to wear during the ceremony. Stoles will be collected immediately following the procession. Your cap & gown is yours to keep.
• NO HEELS

Graduation Ceremony at Providence Park, June 17, 7-9 p.m. PST

Graduating seniors must arrive by 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the ceremony, which begins at 7 p.m. PST. We will have a professional photographer taking pictures before and during the ceremony as well as at the moment each student receives the diploma. In order to protect the turf at Providence Park, heels are not allowed.

COVID Protocols

Beginning March 12, masks will be optional at Providence Park, following Oregon's lifting of the indoor mask mandate. 

Ticketing and Seating

The Upper School office is managing all ticketing. Tickets will be delivered electronically the week of June 13. Tickets are required to enter Providence Park. Per park policy, re-entry will not be allowed.

Parking

Parking is limited near the stadium. If driving, we strongly encourage you to park downtown at a SmartPark garage or one of the many nearby parking lots/ garages. See map for all locations.

Post Ceremony

Following the celebratory cap-throw, light refreshments will be served on the East Concourse for new graduates and guests to enjoy.

Graduation Party

At 9:30 p.m. seniors will board OES buses and be transported to a secret location for the annual party that has been planned and staffed by 11th grade parents, who are committed to providing the seniors with a fun and safe party. In the interest of safety, Seniors must take the bus to the party and may not leave early unless they have been approved to be picked up by a parent, guardian, or dorm parent. The party ends at 2:30 a.m., when students must be picked up by their families.

Contact usadmin@oes.edu with any questions.

Professional Livestreaming

To ensure that all of our graduate's extended families can participate no matter where in the world they may be, we have contracted with The AV Dept., the same group who broadcast many of our events over the past couple of years. That way, no matter where you are in the world, you can join the action in real time!

Smile . . . You’re On Candid Camera

Because you will be “live and in person,” graduates should arrive wearing their caps and gowns, and families should be dressed to celebrate the big event! 

Professional Photo Ops

Photographers will be on hand between 6-7 p.m. to take family portraits; students, make sure to arrive in full graduation regalia.