CLASS OF 2026
Keep up to date on Senior activities during the 2025-26 school year!
If you have any questions about graduation, please contact Shannon Vanderpol, Associate Principal for Community Life, with exceptions noted below.
Commencement
SUNDAY May 31, 2026, 9:00-11:00am
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Video and Photos
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Video recording of the ceremony. Thanks to Nico Lawes '27 for videography.
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Photos of Ceremony on stage, including diploma presentations. Thanks to Dennis Mockel for photography, along with staff photographer Vincent Jurgens.
Questions about Commencement? Email Ms. Vanderpol.
College Counseling Updates
Congratulations, Class of 2026! You're Off to Great Places!
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Come up to the counseling office and pin a flag with your name and college on our college map!
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Update your college list and results on Naviance, noting accepted, denied, deferred or waitlisted schools.
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Indicate the college you are attending in Naviance, and complete the senior exit survey and alumni survey by June 30 for your final transcript to be sent.
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This is the final stretch of high school! Your grades still count!
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Remember to thank the people who wrote your letters of recommendation and update them on your college outcomes. They want to hear from you!
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Questions about College Counseling? Email your student's counselor.
Senior Class Gift
Thank You, Senior Families!
We are thrilled to share that the Senior Class Gift raised more than $110,000 for the Fund for Faculty Excellence, surpassing our $100,000 goal!
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Thank you to all who gave in honor of O’Dowd’s incredible teachers and counselors. Your generosity is a meaningful tribute to the faculty who have guided and supported your students.
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A special thank you to our parent committee for their leadership, outreach, and encouragement, which helped make this success possible.
Each year’s Senior Class Gift is a reminder of the strength of our O’Dowd community and the lasting impact of your support. We are deeply grateful and proud of what the Class of 2026 families have accomplished together.
Caps, Gowns, & Announcements
Your cap and gown cost is covered by the school. (All other items would be at an extra cost.) As announced to students on Schoology, Achievers, our vendor, was on campus in October to take cap and gown orders.
Other graduation items are available to order at graduationorder.com.
O'Dowd Alumni Exit Survey
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Seniors! Stay-up-to-date with O'Dowd! As we welcome you as the newest alumni in the O'Dowd community, please make sure to fill out the Alumni Exit Survey by June 30. Remember, you are Forever a Dragon.
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Be sure to connect with other O'Dowd alumni on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Mark Your Calendars
September 2025
25 Senior & Family College Night
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October
3 CSU App workshop (drop-in; club/office hr time)
17 SAT for Seniors (optional, must register)
29 Senior Sunrise
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November
5 Senior Portrait makeups/retakes.
30 UC and CSU application deadline
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January 2026
12 Senior Ad Deadline
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February
4 Senior Class Meeting/ Service Beyond High School panel
24 Confirm Diploma Name (email will be sent to Seniors)
March
2 FAFSA Priority Deadline
18 Senior Parent/Guardian Mass
April
15 Senior Class Meeting
21 No classes for seniors (Career Day for others)
27 Senior Contract due to Ms. Donahue
29 Supporting Your 12th Grader's Transition to College
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May
1 Caps and Gowns distributed
15 No classes for seniors
16 Senior Ball (6:30-10:30pm)
19 Senior Award Ceremony (6:30-7:30pm)
20 Senior Sunset & BBQ (5:30-8:00pm) Photos here,
21-22 Grad Nite
22 No classes for seniors
26-29 Finals
27 Graduation Rehearsal (1:30-3:15pm)
29 Baccalaureate Mass (5:00-6:30pm) Photos here.
31 SUNDAY, Commencement Ceremony, Lower Field at 9:00am (graduates arrive 8:15am)
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June
15+ Diplomas Available in Main Office, 10am - 2pm
30 Complete the Alumni Exit Survey
Senior Email Archive
Past Events will move below here
Baccalaureate Mass
All graduates and their families were invited to the Baccalaureate Mass on May 29, 2026, in the Knauss Family Gymnasium. Celebrate the seniors in their last Mass at O'Dowd and pray for their continued success after graduation.
To continue the celebration, a reception will follow the Mass on the Quad.
Questions about the Baccalaureate Mass? Contact Mr. Dilag.
Graduation Rehearsal
May 27, 2026, 1:30-3:15pm
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All seniors are required to attend Graduation Rehearsal beginning in Knauss gym, then the Lower Field. Students must be present to receive their Commencement tickets and parking pass.
Grad Nite
May 21 - 22, 2026
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This year, Grad Nite will take place at Disneyland leaving O'Dowd Thursday, May 21st at 4am and returning Friday, May 22nd at approximately 7am. The cost of the trip is $260 which includes transportation and admission into Disneyland. Registration is closed.
More details will be shared with registered students and families soon. Look for an email from Mrs. Gray.
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There are no classes on May 22 for those not attending Grad Nite.​​​
Senior Sunset and BBQ
May 20, 2026, 5:30-8:00pm
Celebrate the sun setting on your senior year at O'Dowd with your class. Come enjoy food, music and each other on the CES Patio. Bring your yearbooks and pens!​​
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Photos here, in various formats.
Senior Ball
May 16, 2026, 6:30-10:30pm
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This year's Senior Ball will take place at Scott’s Pavilion, Jack London Square. ​The evening will include dinner and dancing. Permission slips and payment are due to Mrs. Green by Friday, May 8. Links are also on Schoology. Questions? Contact Mrs. Green.
Senior Class Meeting & Behavior Contract
Each spring, our deans hold a Senior Class Meeting to review behavior, attendance, and academic expectations ahead of our seniors' last few months at O'Dowd. After the meeting, students and their parents/guardians will receive an email with the Senior Contract. This year, the Senior Class Meetings were on February 4 and April 15 during club/office hours. The senior contract was due in the main office by April 27. These are required for seniors to participate in any senior celebration event.
Thank you for your partnership!
Senior-Parent/Guardian Mass
Wednesday March 18, 6:00 - 7:30pm
This special Mass is a beautiful celebration honoring our seniors' final year at O'Dowd, and for some, their final year at home. Parking will be available on campus. Light refreshments will be served immediately after Mass.
Senior Ads
Your student’s final year at O’Dowd is here—mark the moment with a Senior Tribute Ad in the 2026 Yearbook!
Need an extra yearbook? You can order one through the same site.
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Questions? Email Damian Barnes.
Senior Portrait Makeups/Retakes
November 5, 2025
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Senior Portrait makeups/retakes will be on Wednesday, November 5 in the James T. Bill ’55 Theater lobby. You must sign up for an appointment to take your photo that day. Sign up here. This is your last chance to take your Senior Portrait to be able to make it into the yearbook.
Our photographer also has in-studio appointments available.
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Questions about Senior Events? Contact Ms. Gray.
Senior Sunrise
October 29, 2025, 7:15 - 8:30am
Sunrise is at 7:31am
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Grab a warm sweater, and a sleeping bag or blanket and head to our Lower Field on Wednesday, October 29 for one of our special traditions: Senior Sunrise!
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Parents and Guardians - We need your help! Please volunteer to make breakfast goodies for the seniors to enjoy while watching the sunrise.
Sign up now!