Graduation Information
Services
- Graduation Requirements
- Cap & Gown/Commencement FAQ's
- Transcript Request
- Commencement Dress Guidelines
- Commencement Ceremony Archive
Graduation Requirements
A student must earn a minimum of 22 credits to graduate from West Aurora High School.
1. Under special circumstances, junior and senior students can obtain a “physical education waiver”. Students can obtain more information about the “physical educational waiver” by contacting their school counselor.
2. A student may meet the Consumer Economic requirement by participating in and passing a full year of a school-sponsored work co-op program. In these cases, students must substitute another social studies class for the Economics course since two years of social studies are required for graduation.
For students planning on attending a four year university after graduation, admissions requirements may vary. See individual university web pages for specifics. In general, students planning on attending a four year university after high school should plan on the following:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of math (Algebra, Geometry and Algebra 2)
- 3 years of science
- 3 years of social studies
- 2 years of the same foreign language
- 2 years of fine arts or 2 years of vocational course
The minimum of 22 units of credit include the following required courses:
| English 4 credits |
|---|
| 1 Grammar/Intensive Writing |
| 1 Sophomore Lit |
| 1 American Lit/Intensive Writing |
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1 English Elective |
| Math 3 credits |
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| 1 Algebra |
| 1 Math course with Geometrical Concepts |
| 1 additional Math course in the proper sequence |
|
Social Studies 2 credit |
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| 1/2 Government |
| 1/2 Economics |
| 1 US History |
| Electives 7 credits Must include... |
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| 1 art |
| 1 music |
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Foreign language or vocational course |
| Health 1/2 credit |
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| Science 2 credits |
|---|
Cap & Gown/Commencement FAQ's
To order or pay for a Senior's cap and gown, announcements, or any other Senior products,
please contact Herff Jones at (815)-756-4743 or visit their website below:
Commencement Ceremony - Frequently Asked Questions
How much are cap & gowns?
Contact Herff Jones for cap and gown units and other items at (815)-756-4743
How many commencement tickets will each student receive? Ten (10)
When will students receive commencement tickets?
Immediately following commencement practice, Friday, May 15, 2026.
Will commencement ceremony photos be taken?
Yes; Grad Images will be on-site to take photos.
When and where is the commencement practice?
Friday, May 15, 2026, at 8:30 am. Students should enter door 14B Veterans Field house, starting at 8:00 am **Cap & Gowns are required for practice**
Is it mandatory for students to attend commencement practice? Yes
When is commencement?
Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Northern Illinois Convocation Center
What time is the commencement ceremony? 10:00am
What time do senior students need to arrive at NIU for the commencement ceremony? 9am, thru Door 5
How long will the graduation ceremony last?
Approximately 2 hours (start to finish)
When will Diplomas be distributed?
Immediately after graduation, on site.
Should graduates bring a bag or purse to graduation?
No - There is no place to store personal belongings.
Is NIU Convocation Center air-conditioned? Yes.
Is accessible parking and seating available at NIU Convocation Center?
View Graphic Here
Is seating in NIU Convocation Center assigned?
No, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
What is the address for NIU Convocation Center?
1525 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115
Transcript Request
Commencement Dress Guidelines
Graduation Dress Guidelines
School District 129 and West Aurora High School support the right for expression of identity at the commencement ceremony. WAHS recognizes the importance of the commencement ceremony and provides the following guidelines to help ensure that commencement is a positive and celebratory event for all graduates and their families.
General Information and Tips
Graduating students and their families receive information each year about how to order the cap and gown to be worn at the commencement ceremony.
Guidelines for Commencement Dress
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Only school-issued cords, stoles, and medals are allowed.
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Religious-affiliated accessories are allowed.
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Cultural adornments may lie on top of the robe.
The WAHS Dress Code, as outlined in the Student & Parent Handbook applies to commencement attire. This means that commencement attire may not be decorated with any advertisement, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures/images that:
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Are violent, obscene, vulgar, or lewd
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Depict/suggest drugs, alcohol, vaping, weapons, or paraphernalia (or any illegal item or activity)
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Represent hate speech, profanity, pornography
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Create a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups
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Reference any disruptive behavior that is detrimental to the safety and welfare of any person
This is not an exhaustive list and any adornment or message deemed inappropriate or determined to pose a safety risk or distraction will not be permitted.
Remember, commencement is a formal event and WAHS respects freedom of religious and cultural expression. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with an administrator.
The district reserves the right to remove a cap or request that graduates change before they are allowed to participate in the ceremony if the cap decoration is inappropriate.