School Name

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
1:00 p.m.
DePaul Prep Commons

Seniors will pick up their cap and gown, baccalaureate mass tickets, Class of 2026 yard sign, t-shirt, and a tasty treat! Seniors will be dismissed for the day after the ceremony. Parents of senior award recipients will be notified prior to the event.

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!

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.

Parking: Grant Park North Garage (Purple Section) $14 validated

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 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.

• 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. 

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

Sign Up to Volunteer for the Senior Grad Barbeque

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

Graduate Information 

• Graduates should 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.

Family and Guest Information

• All guests must have their blue physical tickets to attend Baccalaureate Mass.
• Please bring minimal personal items and keep valuables on your person.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Credit Union 1 Arena, UIC Campus
525 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607
10 tickets per family

Graduate Information 

• Students will report to UIC Credit Union 1 Arena at 525 S. Racine at 5:00 p.m.
• Students should enter the arena via Gate 2, next to the parking garage.
• Students should arrive in caps & graduation gowns with any school-issued academic cords or medals. 
• Using the designated stairs, students will report backstage, behind the curtain, on the arena floor. 
• Students may leave their personal belongings in the lower bowl seating area, which is behind the curtain. Please note that backpacks, large bags, suitcases, or any purse/bag larger than 14″x 14″x 6″ are not permitted in the arena.
• Immediately following the ceremony, graduates will process backstage to pick up their diplomas and belongings and process immediately outside to Harrison Street.
• Students should plan to meet their families outside on Harrison Street. A portion of Harrison Street will be closed for approximately 20 minutes following the ceremony.

Family and Guest Information

• Attendees must have a physical ticket to attend graduation. No exceptions. Tickets will be scanned for entry.
• Doors to Credit Union 1 Arena open at 5:00 p.m. All guests must enter the arena via the main entrance at Gate 3 on the corner of Harrison & Racine. 
• The Commencement Ceremony will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. and run approximately 2 hours.
• Seating is general admission in the lower bowl of the arena. All general seating is first-come, first-served. Seating on the floor is reserved for students, faculty, and staff only.
• All patrons will be required to pass through a metal detector. The metal detectors are safe for patrons with pacemakers, etc.
• Backpacks, Large Bags, Suitcases, or any purses/bags larger than 14″x14″x6″ are not permitted in the arena. Permissible bags and purses will be checked at the doors.
• Balloons, large signs, noise makers, etc., are not permitted inside the arena. Any prohibited items will be confiscated at entry.
• Flowers, snacks, soft drinks, and DePaul Prep merch will be available for purchase at the concession stands.
• Immediately following the ceremony, families should plan to meet their graduates outside on Harrison Street. Guests must leave the building immediately. 
• If you are planning to make dinner reservations for after the ceremony, we recommend 8:30 p.m. at the earliest.
• For detailed information on Credit Union 1 Arena and its policies, please visit their website here.

• Students must earn a passing grade in all classes (minimum grade of D-)
• Students must have completed all required credits
• Student’s tuition must be fully paid
• Students must be in good behavioral standing

Each graduate will receive 2 blue tickets to the Baccalaureate Mass and 10 white “Ticketmaster” tickets to the Commencement Ceremony. 

Tickets are required for each attendee upon entrance to each ceremony, no exceptions. 

If your family will not be using all of your tickets to the graduation ceremony or Baccalaureate Mass, please donate any spares to Student Activities so they can be distributed to other families. Students can bring unused tickets directly to Ms. Parker or Mr. Petersen.

If you are looking for extra tickets to the Baccalaureate Mass or Graduation, they may be requested via this form. While we will do our best to accommodate as many requests as possible, we cannot guarantee all requests will be met due to limited seating.

Modest slacks/pants & blouse, skirts & dresses must not be more than two inches above the knee, no facial piercings, manageable heels (No more than two inches high; wedges encouraged) or dress flats.

Button-down dress shirt, tie, slacks/pants, belt, dress shoes, clean-shaven, no facial piercings. A blazer/coat is optional.

Baccalaureate Mass at St. Vincent de Paul: The parish has ramps for wheelchair accessibility.

Graduation at Credit Union 1 Arena: ADA accessible seating is available in the last row of the lower bowl. ADA seats do not require reservation, however wheelchair seating can be reserved. Please call (312) 413-5700 to reserve an ADA seat. For more information on Credit Union 1 Arena’s ADA accessibility, please visit their website.

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 is available for students and families in the Harrison Street parking garage next to the arena or across the street in parking lot 1B. 

All parking is $10.

Clearance in the parking garage is 6’7”.
 

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. 

The Baccalaureate Mass will be recorded and posted on the graduation site. The Commencement Ceremony will be live-streamed via YouTube.

Parent Association will be collecting gently used, clean uniform pieces with the updated branding to be donated back to DePaul Prep. Senior students can drop off pieces in a bin at the front desk during the week of May 18 and/or specifically before graduation practice on Tuesday, May 19.

Photos of our graduation ceremony will be taken by Visual Image Photography (VIP). You will receive an email when they are ready to view and order online, or you can visit www.vipis.com

Graduates will be invited to pick up their 2025-2026 yearbooks at the alumni yearbook event in December 2026. 

It’s time to order your Official Graduation Announcements.  Announcements feature the official graduation ceremony text and are personalized with the student’s name.

Order online