Hingham High School -

 Textbooks, library books, calculators, uniforms, parking placards, or other obligations (or cash for lost items) must be returned/fulfilled on or before Friday, May 30 in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.  If you use a locker, all contents need to be removed no later than May 30.  Hingham High School will not be responsible for any articles left in lockers.

Graduation

Graduation will be on Saturday, June 7, rain or shine, at 10:00 a.m.  If the weather is inclement, graduation will be postponed until later in the day or relocated to the high school gymnasium.  Notification of this decision will be made as early as possible and posted on our website.  Because of limited seating in the gymnasium, graduates will be restricted to two guests if the ceremony is moved indoors; however, outside seating is unlimited.  Every graduating senior must report to the auditorium in cap and gown by 9:15 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. ceremony.  Seniors are asked to wear appropriate dress at graduation.  

Prom Conduct:

To ensure that all those in attendance have a great evening, some basic rules must be followed:

1. All attending must be present by 7:45 p.m. at the very latest.  No one will be admitted to the prom after that time.      

2. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the premises, and students who have imbibed before the event will not be granted admission to the prom.  If a student is excluded for the reason of alcohol, they will forfeit any refund of the ticket and will be excluded from graduation exercises.  This rule will be strictly enforced by the management of Indian Pond’s security and by all school personnel.

3.    For the purpose of the Senior Prom, group possession is defined as being an occupant of a vehicle where an alcoholic beverage and/or controlled substance is discovered.  The punishment for group possession is loss of prom privileges and exclusion from graduation exercises.

A claim that the possessor of an alcoholic beverage is of legal age or a claim that an occupant identified as the possessor is not a Hingham High School student will not be accepted.  All students are responsible for the behavior of all other occupants of the vehicle and if one violates the prohibition against transporting alcoholic beverages, or a controlled substance, all will suffer consequences.

4. Controlled substances are in violation of State Law and School Committee policy and, therefore, are unacceptable at any school function.  The police will be notified of any such violation of this law and the same school penalty as outlined under the use of alcohol will be administered.  Under the 1993 School Reform Law, the student may also be expelled from school.

Senior Final Exams

A senior with at least a B- average for the year at the end of term 3 and at least a B average for term 4, with nonexempt absences not in excess of two (2) in the fourth term may be excused from taking the final exam.  For second semester courses, the attendance requirement will remain the same. The combined grade average for terms three and four will be used to determine the academic component for final exam exemption. The list of eligible students in each class will be posted by the teacher on the Thursday before the exams (May 22nd). 

Scholarships & Awards Presented at the Senior Achievement and Academic Awards Program

All senior students, their parents, and guests are invited to attend the senior awards program on the evening of Tuesday, June 3.  Students who are receiving awards are expected to wear graduation gowns (no caps).  At this awards program, scholarships are announced and recognition given for various accomplishments.  Students receiving a scholarship and/or award will be given written notification.  If you do not receive a letter, you are still welcome to attend the awards program; however, your student does not have to wear the graduation gown, nor should they sit in the alphabetical order seating area.

The distribution of scholarships and awards is based on a variety of criteria: financial need, academic merit, expected major in college study, or special talent or performance in school activities.  The Hingham community is generous with awards for each graduating class. Local individuals, organizations and businesses contributed approximately $505,500 in scholarship awards in 2024.  

Use of Automobiles

On days of senior exams and graduation rehearsal, an unusually high number of students drive to school.  Any student who wishes to park on campus must have a valid parking placard and may park only in their assigned spot.  We are also concerned that students operate these vehicles safely on school property and when driving in the community.  The Hingham Police Department has assured us that drivers of vehicles stopped for traffic infractions will be cited.  Students apprehended for motor vehicle violations at school would face consequences consistent with the Code of Discipline.

Class Records

To the Graduates of Hingham High School, Class of 2025

Under Section 34D of Chapter 71 and Section 34F of Chapter 71 of the Laws of the Commonwealth, each graduate must be apprised of the following rights:

As students should know from high school experience, the Counseling Office maintains a permanent record containing information on grades, courses, and attendance.  This is considered a Class A record and will be maintained at the high school for sixty (60) years.  In addition to this file, a file folder was maintained by each counselor containing test scores and any other data or correspondence that is relevant.  This is considered a student's Class B record.  Under the laws of the Commowealth, the school will maintain this record for five (5) years and at the end of five years this record shall be destroyed.  It is the students’ responsibility to pick up their records from their school counselor on or before June 1.  If not taken by June 1, the records will be destroyed on July 1, 2030.  Prior to this date, students have the right to inspect this record and receive information in whole or in part prior to its destruction.

If you have any questions concerning this, please feel free to call the Hingham High School Counseling Office at (781) 741-1560, ext. 2116. 

Health Records

School immunization records are not often updated each time a student sees their personal physician and/or receives additional immunizations or booster injections.  As a result, our practice of sending home a copy of the graduating seniors’ immunization records has been discontinued in the interest of accuracy.  If you wish to have your health records, please contact our Nurse’s office (ext. 2095) to make arrangements to pick them up. Parents are strongly advised to check with their child’s personal physician to obtain a current and accurate copy of their child’s immunization status.

Celebratory Cigar Smoking

Please be reminded that smoking is strictly prohibited on school grounds at all times, including during graduation. This policy includes all forms of smoking, including cigar smoking, which has occasionally occurred after the ceremony in previous years.

Smoking presents a serious fire hazard and poses a risk to the health and comfort of our guests. Additionally, it can cause permanent damage to our turf field, which is an important shared resource for our athletic and academic programs. 

We kindly ask for your cooperation in discouraging the use of cigars or any form of smoking as part of post-ceremony celebrations. We are confident that families and graduates can find other meaningful and respectful ways to celebrate this milestone.