Class of 2026 Event Information

Please use this link for detailed information regarding Class of 2026 Senior Prom and Post Prom. A more detailed letter regarding graduation will be emailed to parents and students at the end of March.

Class of 2026_Parent/Student Graduation Letter

To the Students and Parents/Caregivers of the Class of 2026:

It’s hard to believe that the last quarter of the school year is here and that graduation is just a few short weeks away!  This means that as seniors, maintaining your grades and keeping up with classes, along with consistent attendance in class, is crucial to finishing strong. There are a variety of events scheduled to help you celebrate and remember your high school experience. Please read through this letter carefully and mark your calendars.

 GRADUATION: Practice, Clothing, and Commencement

Mandatory Marching Practice – Friday, May 15, 2026 – 9:00 a.m.

Attendance is mandatory if you plan to march in graduation.

• On May 15, students MUST report to the field house no later than 9:00 a.m. During the practice, instructions regarding the commencement program will be provided.  This activity prepares the graduates for actual marching and gives students a chance to be sure that their name is pronounced correctly.  Students may dress in regular school attire.

Caps and Gowns – Friday, May 15, 2026

• Immediately following the marching practice, instructions will be provided where to pick up your cap and gown that morning.  All obligations must be cleared prior to receiving your cap and gown. This includes (but is not limited to) items such as registration fees, library fines, outstanding behavior obligations, athletic equipment, and any financial obligations that may be pending.

Commencement Day – Sunday, May 17, 2026 – 3:00 p.m.

Rosemont Theatre  5400 N. River Road, Rosemont, Illinois 

• Graduates should plan to arrive at the theater between 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and must report to designated gathering areas no later than 2:30 p.m. Bring or wear your cap and gown to the set-up area.  There will not be an area to leave valuables (purses, etc.).  Please leave all valuables with your family.  Leave cameras and mobile devices with your family and do not bring these to the staging area.  
• The ceremony is a dignified way to celebrate your accomplishments; anyone interrupting the ceremony, even in the interest of humor, may be asked to leave.
• All graduates are asked to wear appropriate clothing with their cap and gown.  The theater has a sloped aisle and stairs leading to the stage:  please consider avoiding high heels that may make it difficult to walk onto the stage.
• You may now preorder flowers/gifts for your student to be picked up on the day of graduation. To retrieve your order, please stop by the booth located inside the entrance of the Rosemont Theater before the graduation ceremony begins. Please use this link https://bit.ly/4ciwmju to place your order.

PARENT INFORMATION ABOUT GRADUATION

Guests

• Make sure you ask where your graduate will be seated on stage so you know where to position yourself in the audience to be able to see them. 
• No food, drinks, signs or balloons will be permitted since this is a formal theater venue.

 Parking

• There should be ample free parking available, but additional parking is also available in pay garages near the Rosemont Theatre. If you plan to park in one of the garages, please make sure you allow adequate time to park and walk a short distance to the theater.
• Parking at the Rosemont Theatre will be directed by the Rosemont Theatre staff.  

Time

• Students are to be dressed appropriately and in the staging area no later than 2:30 p.m. The ceremony will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m.

 Pictures

• Guests in the audience are to remain seated during the ceremony.  A professional photographer will be taking pictures of the graduates as they receive their diplomas on stage.  You will receive proofs and have an opportunity to purchase photographs but are not obligated to do so.  If you do not want to have your graduate’s picture taken, please notify Mrs. Sophie O’Malley [email protected]  847-692-8508 in the principal’s office by Friday, May 1, 2026.

 Recessional

• Graduates will formally recess out of the theater.  Parents and guests are asked to remain in their seats until all graduates have passed. This will allow graduates to go directly to the designated area to receive their actual printed diploma. After they have received their diploma, they will be able to join you for pictures and flowers.

  Graduation Congratulatory Messages

• We are offering parents and relatives the opportunity to congratulate their favorite senior with a special send-off message to be printed in the Maine East Graduation Program.  Please use this link to print the form to mail/drop off at school. The deadline for submission of “Senior Send-Off Messages” is 3:30 pm on Friday, May 1, 2026.

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS

Senior Prom – Saturday, May 9, 2026 – 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. 

Chevy Chase Country Club 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, IL 60090 

Post Prom – Saturday, May 9 – Sunday, May 10

Main Event in Hoffman Estates – 11:30 p.m – 3:00 a.m.

• Detailed prom/post prom information and forms can be found here.
• Tickets can be purchased on the 5Star App. Ticket sales dates/prices are as follows:  
  • Prom only:  $100/person
  • Post Prom only: $65/person
  • Prom and Post Prom tickets: $165/person 
• Ticket sales start March 12, 2026 and end April 24, 2026
  • Students whose on-time and present attendance rate is below 90% as of 4/23/26 will not be eligible to attend prom or post prom. If a student is deemed ineligible for attendance reasons, their prom and post prom tickets will be refunded.  
  • If you are attending Post Prom only, you will need to arrive at the prom venue by 10:45 pm in order to take the bus to the event. ALL students must take the bus transportation to Main Event.
• Seniors should look forward to the prom-themed Midnight Garden.
• Seniors must arrive and check in between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.  No one will be admitted after 7:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be served from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Students are to remain in the designated area for the prom dinner and dance. Once you leave the Prom, you may not re-enter.

• • There will be no formal photographer, but a free photo booth will be available from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
  • If you are bringing a guest (not a current Maine East student) you must submit a Guest Permission Form via Google Form.  Remember: No guests over the age of 20 will be allowed.
  • Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable, and will not be sold at the door.

Senior Honors Night – Wednesday, May 13, 2026– Maine East Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.

• The Senior Honors Program will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.  Recognition of outstanding seniors will include Departmental Awards, Good Will Awards, Merit Awards, and awards and scholarships from internal and outside organizations.  Students (and their parents) who are being honored will receive an invitation; however, all are welcome to join us in the audience for this memorable and meaningful event.

EXPECTATIONS

These activities are meant to provide positive experiences to celebrate the culmination of your high school experience; accordingly, we hope that everyone in attendance will conduct themselves with a sense of respect for themselves and for others. In order to ensure the safety of all students, all school rules will apply.  Pranks and other activities, whether meant to be harmless or not, may result in severe consequences.  Any student arriving at any of the activities under the influence of, emitting the odor of, or in possession of alcohol or illegal substances will automatically result in suspension from school and exclusion from participating in the Commencement Program.

SUMMARY OF DATES

March 12 – April 24 – Senior Prom and Post Prom Event ticket sales
May 1 – Deadline for Graduation Program Senior Send-Off Messages
May 9 – Senior Prom
May 9-10 – Post Prom Event
May 12 – Senior Sunset
May 13 – Senior Honors Night
May 15 – Mandatory Marching Practice/Cap & Gown Pick Up
May 17 – Commencement Ceremony at Rosemont Theater

We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with your family! 

Sincerely,

Melissa A. Pikul, Principal