Celebrating the Class of 2026 - DePaul College Prep

Senior Events

Senior Awards Ceremony & Graduation Regalia Pickup: April 29, 2026

College Decision Celebration and Signing Day: May 1, 2026

The DePaul Prep community is excited to celebrate seniors and the next steps of their journey. Join the College Counseling Team as we recognize their hard work and bright futures! Stop by the Commons before school or during lunch for snacks and a photo booth under the balloon arch. Seniors are encouraged to wear their college/military gear (sweatshirts or t-shirts). We are so proud of you, Class of 2026!

Spring Singing Day, Friday, May 1, 2026
Friday, May 1, 2026
DePaul Prep Commons
Time: 1 p.m.

Student-Athletes who have decided to play their respective sport at the collegiate level will be honored amongst their peers in a ceremonial signing day. Participating athletes will be notified prior to the event with directions. Please join us in the commons to celebrate this monumental event! GO RAMS!

Prom: May 2, 2026

Saturday, May 2, 2026
7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
301 E North Water St

Join us for Prom 2026: The Great Gatsby, on Saturday, May 2, at the Sheraton Grand. Tickets are $170 and are available via GoFan. Your access code to purchase tickets is your STUDENT ID NUMBER and is valid for up to 2 tickets. Your ticket includes a DJ, photo booth, full buffet, party favors, late-night snack, and access to the Chicago River for amazing photos!

All outside guests must complete the guest form no later than Friday, April 24. Guest forms can be picked up from Ms. Parker or Mr. Petersen in the library.

We can’t wait to dance the night away with you!

Your Prom Experience Includes

Doors Open: 7 p.m.
Social Hour + Appetizers: 7-7:45 p.m.
Buffet Dinner: 8-9 p.m.
Dancing: 9-11 p.m.
Late Night Pizza: 10 p.m.
End of Prom: 11 p.m.

Photo booth open all night!

Pre-Prom Picture Party
Millennium Hall-Double Clutch Plaza
May 2, 2026
4:30-6:30 p.m.

We are excited to announce that we have secured Millennium Park for the 2026 pre-prom picture party. This is for all Seniors and their guests! Weather permitting, parents are invited as well. Food and refreshments are included, as well as photographers available to take iconic pictures. At this time, students will be responsible for their own transportation.

We need your help! We are looking for donations/sponsors to help cover the cost of the event so all students are able to attend. If you are able to contribute, please email dcp2026@gmail.com, and indicate what you are comfortable contributing. No amount is too small!

The Pre-Prom Picture Party is not a DePaul Prep-sponsored event.

AP & IB Exams: May 4-20

Monday, May 4, 2026
IB History Paper 1, 2: 12-2:30 p.m.
AP Biology: 8-11 a.m.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026
IB History Paper 3: 8-10:30 a.m.
AP Chemistry: 8-11 a.m.
AP Government: 12-3 p.m.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026
AP Literature and Composition: 8-11 a.m.

Thursday, May 7, 2026
IB Literature Paper 1: 12-2:15 p.m.
AP World History: 8-11 a.m.
AP Statistics: 12-3 p.m.

Friday, May 8, 2026
IB Literature Paper 2: 8-9:45 a.m.
AP U.S. History: 8-11 a.m.
AP Macroeconomics: 12-3 p.m.

Monday, May 11, 2026
IB Biology Paper 1ab: 12-1:30 p.m.
AP Calculus (AB & BC): 8-11 a.m.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026
IB Biology Paper 2: 8-9:30 a.m.
AP Psychology: 8-11 a.m.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
IB Spanish Paper 1, 2 (Reading): 12-1:15 p.m.
AP Language and Composition: 8-11 a.m.

Thursday, May 14, 2026
IB Spanish Paper 2 (Listening): 8-8:45 a.m.
IB Math Paper 1: 12-1:30 p.m.
AP Spanish Language: 8-11 a.m.
AP Computer Science Principles: 12-3 p.m.

Friday, May 15, 2026
IB Math Paper 2: 8-9:30 a.m.
AP Computer Science A: 12-3 p.m.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
IB French Paper 1, 2 (Reading): 12-1:15 p.m.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026
IB French Paper 2 (Listening): 8-8:45 a.m.

Senior Final Exams: May 12-15

Senior final exams will take place during regularly scheduled class periods on the following days:

Tuesday, May 12: Blue Day, Periods 1 & 2
Wednesday, May 13: Red Day, Periods 5 & 6
Thursday, May 14: Blue Day, Periods 3 & 4
Friday, May 15: Red Day, Periods 7 & 8
Monday, May 18: Makeup Exam

Students are only required to be on campus for their scheduled exams.

May a student leave the exam room once they have completed their exam?

No, Students must remain in the room until the end of the testing period.

What is the policy regarding final exam exemptions for Seniors?

Per the DePaul College Prep Student and Parent Handbook,

The only exemptions for final examinations are for qualified, exempted senior students during the 2nd semester.
Only senior students with an "A" (93%) 1st semester average and "A" (93%) 2nd semester average are eligible for consideration for exemption. If the course is offered during the second semester only, the student must have an "A" (93%) in progress to be eligible.
It is the individual teacher's choice of any class and/or section whether to give an exemption for second semester examinations. If a student has an "A" for both semesters, it is our practice to NOT have those students take a written final exam.
Any senior student who meets the above requirements and is exempted by the teacher will not need to sit for exams (be present for the period the exam is given).
A reminder that Semester 1 grades should come from the student's historical grades in PowerSchool.

Graduation Practice, Ramlympics and Senior BBQ: May 19, 2026

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Graduation Practice: 8:00 a.m.
Students should report to the South Dining Hall at 7:45 AM. We will practice the line up and procession and run through the program twice.

Ramlympics: 10:00 a.m.
Senior Ramlympics will take place immediately following graduation practice. Students should plan to wear their Ramlympics team colors on this day. Colors will be announced prior to this day.

Attire for the day: Athletic shoes. Shorts and t-shirts are acceptable. No tank tops, midriff tops, or sandals.

Senior BBQ: 12:00 p.m.
The Senior Barbeque, hosted by the DePaul Prep Parent Association, will take place following Ramlympics on the DePaul Prep South Lawn & picnic tables.

Rain location: South Dining Hall

Volunteer Signup Link Coming Soon!

Baccalaureate Mass: May 19, 2026

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
6:00 p.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Parish
1010 W. Webster Ave
2 tickets per family (blue tickets)

Graduates arrive in graduation gowns only, no cap or cords, no later than 5:15 p.m.
Students should gather outside the Rectory at 1010 W. Webster.
There is no place to store personal items so students should leave them with parents/guardians.
Attendees must have their physical tickets to attend Baccalaureate Mass.
Please bring minimal personal items and keep valuables on your person.

Commencement Ceremony: May 20, 2026

Fast Facts

Eligibility for Participation in Graduation Events

Tickets

Extra Tickets

Graduation and Baccalaureate Mass Dress Attire

Accessible Seating

Parking

Baccalaureate Mass Parking
Parking Garage at 2331 N. Sheffield, between Fullerton and Belden
Cost: $6.50, cash only to the attendant on duty

Parking structure at 2330 N Clifton Ave, between Fullerton and Belden
Cost: $6.50, cash or card, no attendant on duty

We recommend you have a backup plan to ensure you and your family arrive on time for the ceremony. Free and metered street parking is limited. Please be mindful of streets zoned for residential parking only.

Public transportation (Red/Brown/Purple Lines - Fullerton Stop) and RideShare options are strongly recommended.

Commencement Ceremony Parking
Parking information for UIC’s Credit Union 1 Arena coming soon

Prohibited Items

Please note that noisemakers, airhorns, balloons, large bags, confetti, beach balls, etc. will not be permitted at any graduation event.

Smoking is not permitted in the arena at any time. This includes e–cigarettes/vaping. In addition to indoor areas, use of these products is banned outdoors within 15 feet from any entrance, exit, window that opens, or ventilation intake of a public place or place of employment.

Live Streaming

Uniform Donation and Collection

Graduation Photos

Yearbooks

Herff Jones Graduation Announcements

Senior Shoutouts

Award Criteria

DePaul Prep Core Values Leadership Award

The DePaul Prep Core Values Award is given to a senior who demonstrates exemplary leadership.

Characteristics of this award include:

taking initiative to help improve the DePaul Prep community
respect in one’s approach with peers and faculty
using best practices when deciding how to approach conflict
living our core values of Faith Respect, Excellence, and Service and Health on a daily basis.

Vincentian Service Award

The Vincentian Service Award is given to a senior who is recognized for an exceptional level of community service, both in hours and impact. This student instinctively responds to Saint Vincent de Paul’s seminal question, “What must be done?” and takes action with joy and enthusiasm. This student recognizes that “it is not enough to do good, it must be done well,” taking ownership of the health and well-being of the people they serve.

Valedictorian & Salutatorian

The Valedictorian is DePaul Prep’s highest academic achievement honor, awarded to the senior who has demonstrated the highest GPA across their first 7 semesters. Only students enrolled at DePaul Prep for four years are eligible to receive this award.

The Salutatorian is DePaul Prep’s second highest academic achievement honor, awarded to the senior who has demonstrated the second highest GPA across their first 7 semesters. Only students enrolled at DePaul Prep for four years are eligible to receive this award.

Female and Male Student Athlete of the Year

The Female and Male Student Athlete of the Year awards are presented to one female and one male student-athlete who are not only outstanding performers but who also embody DePaul Prep’s core values of faith, respect, excellence, service and health & wellness. The Athlete of the Year must have been an All Conference award winner. Candidates for this award are nominated by a head coach and voted upon by the school’s leadership team.

Art Award

English Award

The English Award is presented to a senior who demonstrates not only consistent, extensive effort in English class but also who has come to appreciate literature and writing because of their commitment to their studies. This student stretches themselves intellectually, engages enthusiastically in their coursework, and values their English class as an academic community. This student makes those around them better by their sheer commitment and passion for the subject.

Math Award

The Math Award is presented to a senior who has demonstrated a passion for reasoning both abstractly and quantitatively in their Math classes. This student has an ability to work collaboratively and find methods to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. They are aware that mistakes help us to learn and grow, and are not afraid to make them. The Math Award is given to a student who will excel in their future STEM classrooms and careers due to their commitment and eagerness to continue learning and growing in the field of Mathematics.

Performing Arts Award

The Performing Arts Award is presented to a senior who consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to their art, a spirit of collaboration, and a willingness to take risks in an effort to improve. This artist puts the needs and interests of the ensemble before their own. In the spirit of our core values, this student’s level of artistic excellence propels them to lead by example.

Physical Education Award

The Physical Education Award is presented to a senior student that exemplifies the work ethic and engagement in healthy style living. This student has demonstrated an uncommon sense of courage during their time in kinetic wellness courses at DePaul and maximizes their efforts and engagement during physical fitness activities. They understand the value of participation and hard work in the pursuit of excellence in the classroom that translate to everyday living.

STEAM Award

Science Award

The Science Award is presented to a senior student who demonstrates a commitment to inquiry in the sciences and an eagerness to think critically. This student has demonstrated a unique sense of grit during their 4 years of science courses at DePaul and has confronted challenges with incredible fidelity. This student understands the value of collaboration and self advocacy in the pursuit of excellence in the classroom.

Social Studies Award

The Social Studies Award is presented to a senior who consistently demonstrates outstanding achievement in Social Studies courses of their four years at DePaul Prep. The recipient demonstrates outstanding scholarship and leadership in the classroom, and in their community through their various extracurricular activities. The recipient exemplifies how best to apply their deep understanding and enthusiasm for the Social Studies into active and engaged citizenship beyond the DePaul Prep community.

Theology Award

The Theology Award is presented to a senior student who demonstrates a commitment to theological education and an eagerness to think critically about all different facets of theology. This student has demonstrated a unique openness and intellectual curiosity during their 4 years of theology courses at DePaul and has confronted new ideas with incredible thoughtfulness. This student understands the value of service and advocacy for the marginalized in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world.

World Language Awards

The World Language Awards (Spanish, French, and Mandarin) are presented to a senior who has exemplary academic standing in their chosen language, is an active participant in the classroom, and creates opportunities to use their chosen language with the outside community. This student embraces the language and culture as a part of their identity. This student is a role model for younger language learners and is someone who is passionate about language learning. The recipient is accepting and curious of other world cultures and finally, this student epitomizes what it means to be a World Citizen, within and beyond the classroom.

Honors & Awards

College Resources

Making the College Decision

College Enrollment Checklist

On the waitlist? what to do

Class of 2026 Acceptances

Allegheny College
American University
Anglo-American University
Arizona State University
Art Center College of Design
Auburn University
Augustana College
Ball State University
Barry University
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont University
Beloit College
Benedictine University
Berklee College of Music
Boston College
Boston University
Bowling Green State University
Bradley University
Brown University
Bryant University
Butler University
Carthage College
Case Western Reserve University
Central Michigan University
Chapman University
Chicago State University
City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College
City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College
Clark Atlanta University
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
College For Creative Studies
College of Charleston
College of Saint Benedict
College of the Holy Cross
Colorado College
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Columbia College Chicago
Concordia University Chicago
Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Wisconsin
Coppin State University
Cornell College
Creighton University
DePaul University
DePauw University
Dominican University
Drake University
Drexel University
Dublin Business School
East Carolina University
Eastern Illinois University
Elmhurst University
Elon University
Emerson College
Emory University
Fairfield University
Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus
Fisher College
Flagler College
Florida Atlantic University
Fordham University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgia State University
Gettysburg College
Gonzaga University
Governors State University
Grand Valley State University
Hampden-Sydney College
Hawaii Pacific University

High Point University
Holy Cross College
Hope College
Howard University
Hult International Business School
Illinois College
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois State University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Indiana State University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Indianapolis
Iowa State University
Ithaca College
Jackson State University
James Madison University
John Cabot University
John Carroll University
Juniata College
Kalamazoo College
Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas State University
Kent State University
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kenyon College
Knox College
Lake Forest College
Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence University
Lincoln Memorial University
Lincoln University
Long Island University
Loras College
Louisiana State University
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola University New Orleans
Luther College
Lynn University
Macalester College
Manhattan University
Marist University
Marquette University
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Merrimack College
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Miami University Ohio
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Mississippi State University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Naropa University
New York Institute of Technology
Newberry College
North Carolina State University
North Central College
North Park University
Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Kentucky University

Northern Michigan University
Northwestern University
Nova Southeastern University
Ohio State University
Ohio University
Oklahoma State University
Oregon State University
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Pepperdine University
Pratt Institute
Providence College
Purdue University
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Purdue University Northwest
Queen's University
Queens University of Charlotte
Regis University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Roosevelt University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
Saint Leo University
Saint Louis University
Saint Mary's College
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Saint Norbert College
Salve Regina University
San Diego State University
Santa Clara University
Savannah College of Art and Design
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of Visual Arts
Seattle University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Southern Methodist University
St. John's University New York
St. Olaf College
Stetson University
SUNY Buffalo State University
Swarthmore College
Syracuse University
Temple University
Texas Christian University
Texas Tech University
The American University of Paris
The College of Wooster
The New School
The Pennsylvania State University
The University of Alabama
The University of Tampa
The University of Tennessee
The University of Texas At Austin
Truman State University
Tulane University of Louisiana
University College Dublin
University of Amsterdam
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of Central Florida

University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Dayton
University of Delaware
University of Denver
University of Dubuque
University of Georgia
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Springfield
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Indianapolis
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Maryland College Park
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri
University of Missouri Kansas City
University of Nebraska
University of New England
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina Wilmington
University of Northern Iowa
University of Notre Dame
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rhode Island
University of Richmond
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Southern California
University of Southern Mississippi
University of St. Thomas
University of Toledo
University of Utah
University of Vermont
University of Virginia
University of Wisconsin Madison
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin Whitewater
Valparaiso University
Villanova University
Wabash College
Wake Forest University
West Virginia University
Western Michigan University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Xavier University

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GRADUATION QUESTIONS?

Christopher Petersen

Director of Student Activities, Student Government Advisor, Scholastic Bowl Coach | Assistant JV Boys' Volleyball Coach

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Britt Parker

Assistant Director of Student Activities, Assistant Girls' Varsity Swim Coach

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