DELAWARE COUNTY — Graduation season begins this weekend for Delaware County high schools, with ceremonies scheduled from mid-May through the end of the month.
This guide focuses on public high schools and career programs located in Delaware County. Delaware Source compiled the information from publicly-available school district calendars, school websites, venue event listings and graduation information shared by districts.
Families should check with their school district before attending for the latest details on parking, tickets, livestreams, arrival times and venue rules.
Have an update or correction? Email news@delawaresource.com.
Big Walnut Local Schools
Big Walnut High School’s Class of 2026 graduation ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Big Walnut High School football stadium, 713 N. Miller Drive in Sunbury.
The ceremony is expected to last until about 9 p.m.
If the ceremony is held outdoors, guests will not need tickets for entry. If inclement weather forces the ceremony indoors, it will be moved to the high school gymnasium, and each graduate will be allowed four guest tickets.
The district said any decision to move the ceremony indoors will be made on graduation day and communicated through the district website and an all-call message.
The stadium will open to guests at 5 p.m., and seats may not be saved or reserved before then.
After the ceremony, graduates will recess out of the stadium to meet family and friends around the flagpole.
For those unable to attend, the ceremony will be streamed through a link posted on the district and high school homepages.
Delaware Area Career Center
The Delaware Area Career Center’s Class of 2026 completion ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at Delaware Hayes Cornell Stadium, 289 Euclid Ave. in Delaware.
Stadium gates will open at 6 p.m.
The ceremony is general admission, and no tickets are required. Standing room will also be available. Accessible seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and greeters will be available to direct guests when they arrive.
Guests should allow time for parking at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, located at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue. A shuttle bus will be available, or guests may walk the short distance to the school.
Families will not be permitted on the field at any time. Photos after the ceremony should be taken outside the stadium.
The completion ceremony is planned as a rain-or-shine event. If light or moderate rain is expected, the ceremony may continue as planned. If weather appears likely to pass, the ceremony may be delayed, with a start time no later than 9 p.m.
If heavy rain or severe weather is not expected to clear, students will move indoors to the Delaware Hayes High School gymnasium to receive their certificates. In that case, the indoor portion will be for students only. There will be no rain date.
The Delaware Area Career Center said real-time weather and event updates will be sent by phone call, text and email.
The ceremony will also be live streamed here for those who want to watch from home or share the ceremony with loved ones.
Buckeye Valley Local Schools
Buckeye Valley High School’s Class of 2026 commencement ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, May 22, at Ohio Wesleyan University’s Gray Chapel, located in University Hall at 61 S. Sandusky St. in Delaware.
An additional hall located across from Gray Chapel will be available for overflow seating. Extended family and friends may watch a livestream of the ceremony there.
The district said more details about graduation will be shared with parents and seniors.
Delaware City Schools
Rutherford B. Hayes High School’s Class of 2026 graduation ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 22, at Cornell Stadium at Hayes High School, 289 Euclid Ave. in Delaware.
The graduate procession will begin at 6:50 p.m., with the ceremony to follow.
No tickets are required because graduation will be held at the stadium, and there is no limit on the number of guests.
Graduation is planned to be held rain or shine. Guests should plan for the weather, including sunblock, sunglasses or ponchos. Umbrellas are not permitted inside the stadium.
If dangerous weather, including thunder or lightning, forces a postponement, the ceremony will be moved to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23. The stadium will open to families at 8:30 a.m. for seating.
Guests will be seated on either side of the Cornell Stadium stands. Families are encouraged to talk with their graduate to determine whether they will be seated on the home or visitor side of the field.
Accessible seating will be available on both sides of the stadium on a first-come, first-served basis near the bleacher ramps. More accessible seating will be available on the home side. Golf carts will be available to assist guests in need.
Parking will be available on the Hayes campus in the southwest, north and rear lots, as well as at the Delaware County Fairgrounds and Dempsey Middle School. Shuttle service will be provided from Dempsey Middle School and the fairgrounds. Guests needing accessible parking should park in the rear lot or near the stadium entrance.
Olentangy Local Schools
Olentangy Schools will hold all four high school commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 30, at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Drive, Columbus.
| School | Time |
|---|---|
| Olentangy Berlin High School | 9 a.m. |
| Olentangy High School | Noon |
| Olentangy Liberty High School | 3 p.m. |
| Olentangy Orange High School | 6 p.m. |
Full details on Olentangy graduations can be found on the school website.
Tickets are not required, and graduates are not limited in the number of guests who may attend. Each ceremony is expected to last between 90 minutes and two hours.
Guests are encouraged to allow extra time for traffic, parking and security screening.
Event-day parking is $10 per vehicle and is cashless. Disability parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Scarlet Lots adjacent to the Schottenstein Center.
To help with traffic flow, Olentangy recommends guests attending the Berlin and Liberty ceremonies use the US-315 Lane Avenue exit for arrival and departure. Guests attending the Olentangy and Orange ceremonies are encouraged to use the US-315 Ackerman Road exit.
Three shuttle buses will transport guests between the Buckeye Lots and the Schottenstein Center from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Accessible seating is available on the entry level and terrace levels on a first-come, first-served basis. The district asks guests to limit seating to one companion per guest in need so others may be accommodated. Complimentary wheelchair escorts are available at any entry point by asking uniformed staff.
The Schottenstein Center has a no-bag policy. Bags and purses of any size are not permitted. Wallets or wristlets no larger than 5 inches by 8 inches by 1 inch are allowed. One bag is permitted for guests with medical, dietary or childcare needs through a dedicated screening lane.
Photos and videos are allowed during the ceremony. A professional photo will also be taken of each graduate and will be available for purchase. The ceremonies will be live streamed.
ASL interpreting may be viewed from all seats during the ceremony via video boards.
After the ceremony, graduates will recess outside to the East End Plaza. Families and friends are encouraged to plan a meeting location outside the building before the ceremony.
