Graduation

Each graduate receives a set number of tickets based on the size of the graduating class and the number of seats available at the facility. Only ticketed guests will be admitted to the ceremony. High schools will communicate directly with families about the number of tickets available to each graduate. Lost tickets will not be replaced.

HCPS photographers will be on site at every ceremony. A selection of photos will be posted on division social media pages — Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) — and full albums will be uploaded to SmugMug at Henrico Schools Smugmug website. These are free to download as a supplement to official photos purchasable from Strawbridge. Livestream replays and other videos from the ceremonies will be uploaded to our YouTube page.

Every guest, regardless of their age, needs a ticket to attend a graduation ceremony.

Parking lots at the Henrico Sports & Events Center will open 90 minutes before each ceremony. Based on the number of seniors at the school, each graduate will receive one to two passes for on-site parking. Carpooling is encouraged. Guests without parking passes will be redirected by event staff before they enter the access road to the Henrico Sports & Events Center.

Additionally, each high school will provide bus transportation from their campus to the ceremony for senior class members. Individual schools will share details with graduates and families. Bus transportation is the best option to ensure that graduates arrive at the venue on time and avoid potential traffic delays.

Ensuring families and guests have easy access to parking is a priority. High school faculty and staff may park at the Henrico Sports and Events Center; however, spaces may be limited based on the size of the graduating class. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. If primary lots are full, staff may be diverted to overflow parking with shuttle service to the venue.

The Henrico Sports & Events Center is located on the site of the former Virginia Center Commons Mall and is easily accessible from interstates and Brook Road.

From the NORTH

1. Travel on I-95 S.
2. Take exit 86B to VA-656 W.
3. Turn left on Lakeridge Parkway.
4. Go straight to Kings Acres Road.
5. Lakeridge Parkway turns into Telegraph Road.

From the EAST

1. Travel on I-64 W.
2. Take exit 200 to merge onto I-295 N.
3. Take exit 43B-43C-43D to merge onto US-1N/Brook Road.
4. Travel on US-1N/Brook Road for 0.9 miles.
5. Right on J.E.B. Stuart Parkway.
6. Turn left on Telegraph Road.

From the WEST

1. Travel on I-64 E.
2. Take exit 177 for I-295 toward Airport/Washington/Norfolk.
3. Take exit 45A for Woodman Road N.
4. At the traffic circle, take the second exit and stay on Woodman Road.
5. At the next traffic circle, take the second exit and stay on Woodman Road.
6. Go straight at US-1N/Brook Road.
7. Turn left on Telegraph Road.

From the SOUTH

1. Travel on I-95 N.
2. Take exit 84B to US-1N/Brook Road.
3. Travel on US-1N/Brook Rd for 1.4 miles.
4. Turn right on J.E.B. Stuart Parkway.
5. Turn left on Telegraph Road.

Yes. The school division is partnering with the Henrico Police Division and RMC Events to support safety and security for all graduation ceremonies.

Graduates, attendees and staff must pass through weapons scanners upon entry to the facility. Weapons — including pocketknives — are strictly prohibited. To expedite the entry process, guests should refrain from bringing large bags or other items that might be problematic when passing through the scanner (e.g., tablets, metal water bottles, etc.).

Any person or item that sets the scanner off will be subject to search.

Balloons, signs, noisemakers, confetti and inflatables are not allowed inside the Henrico Sports & Events Center. The following items are prohibited by the Henrico Sports & Events Center:

• Outside food and drinks
• Beach balls/inflatables
• Balloons
• Bullhorns
• Chewing gum
• Coolers/ice chests
• Confetti 
• E-cigarettes/Tobacco
• Fire/candles (unless approved by fire marshal for special events)
• Firearms
• Glass containers
• Helium balloons
• Hoverboards
• Ice chests or coolers
• Illegal substances
• Laser pointers
• Noisemakers
• Outside chairs
• Recreational scooters
• Selfie sticks
• Skateboards
• Signs
• Sunflower seeds
• Thermos containers
• Weapons
• Wheeled shoes

One empty, refillable container will be permitted for use at the various water fountains. 

Seating is first come, first served. Tickets to each ceremony are distributed based on the number of graduates; therefore, there are no “extra” seats. Holding a ticket to the ceremony does not guarantee that family members/guests will be seated together. Guests will be asked to move to the center of a row to assist with seating.

Immediately following the ceremony, graduates will pick up their diplomas in the student holding area before meeting families outside of the Henrico Sports & Events Center near the following entrances: West 1, North, East 1 and East 2.

High school graduations are milestone events for students and their families. In keeping with the formality of the event, business casual attire or clothing in accordance with school dress codes is appropriate.

HCPS will livestream graduation ceremonies on the school division website, Henrico Schools Website

Ceremonies will also be recorded and can be viewed later on the HCPS website or school division’s cable channel in Henrico County. Find HCPS-TV on channel 99 for Comcast subscribers and channel 2138 for Verizon FiOS customers.

Families and guests are welcome to take photos or record graduation ceremonies from their seats. Guests are not permitted near the stage or on the center floor during the ceremony.

Professional photographers will be at graduation ceremonies to take photos of seniors receiving their diplomas. Schools will provide instructions for ordering pictures.

HCPS will also post candid photos from ceremonies on Facebook and Instagram. Families are also encouraged to tag #HCPSClassof26 when sharing their graduation photos on social media.