With the end of the school year approaching, you may be thinking ahead about graduation. They are graduating from middle school and getting ready to start high school. How should we celebrate it? Should we get them an 8th-grade graduation gift?
Not only are there graduation ceremonies and celebrations for high school and college but often for 8th grade and even kindergarten and preschool.
My son’s school calls it 8th Grade Graduation. Some schools use a different term:
Middle School Graduation
Continuation Ceremony
8th Grade Commencement
Promotion Ceremony
Is 8th Grade Graduation something we need to celebrate?
At first, I wasn’t sure how much of a big deal we should make it. I mean, graduating 8th grade is something he’s expected to do. It’s his job to go to school, learn, and get good grades so he can advance to the next grade.
But once I thought about it, I realized it is a huge milestone in their life. Transitioning from elementary and middle school to high school is a new experience for them. They’re not just a kid anymore. It’s time to start acting more mature, being more responsible, and preparing for life after high school. They’re picking classes based on what they want to do after graduation. They will be getting their driver’s license and their first job.
We celebrate milestones for our family and friends. College graduation may be a huge graduation party with family and friends. We host baby showers for moms-to-be. We celebrate a new job by going out to dinner. Gifts, cake, and a party for birthdays. Companies celebrate 5 years or 10 years with the company with a card or gift. Milestone celebrations may be big or small, but they should be celebrated. I see it not just as a celebration because they passed their classes but as a celebration for moving on in their next phase of life just the same as getting married, having a child, retirement. It’s a way to show support and love.
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How to Celebrate 8th-Grade Graduation
• Decorate the outside of your home. This could be a graduation lawn sign or banners across the garage door or front door. It’s fun to do something that can be seen by your neighbors so you can share your excitement. Use streamers and balloons in school colors. Print out signs to hang up. If you opt for lawn signs, there are local businesses you can hire to create amazing displays.
• Balloons A bouquet of balloons is always fun – school colors or gold & black. You can also go with the large gold 2023 or 2027 balloons.
• Graduation gifts – Everyone always loves a present. Check out our 8th Grade Graduation Gift Guide for ideas.
• Get fun 8th grade graduation t-shirts
Nailed It
Middle School check
Class of 2027 with arrow
8th grade complete
8th grade complete retro
Class of 2027
Peace Out 8th grade
Straight Outta 8th Grade
• Candy leis – Giving candy leis to wear during their ceremony is a fun surprise. Bring a few extras that they can give to their besties. Make your own or keep things simple and order pre-made graduation leis.
• Family dinner at their favorite restaurant. Invite the family out for dinner and let your graduate choose the restaurant. Want to make it a bigger celebration? Invite a few of their closest friends to join
• Professional photo shoot of your child. A few ideas for shots – in your home, doing things they love (such as holding a basketball if they played on the school team), on school grounds.
• Graduation party with friends. The end of the year is the perfect time to host a sleepover, pool party, ice cream party, or backyard BBQ.
• Start graduation day with a special breakfast. Surprise them with donuts. Make them extra special by having them decorated in school colors. Or add the tinted icing glaze yourself – check out my tutorial here
• Get glammed up. Haircut, Blowout, or Professional makeup application for their graduation ceremony. This special treatment will help them to feel grown up and excited for the years ahead. This works even for guys – get them ‘the works’ are the local barbershop.
• Graduation Cake or Cupcakes – Cupcakes and cakes always make a fun celebration. Check out this post for graduation cake design ideas.
• Go out for ice cream – Go out after graduation for a fun treat and let them order whatever they want. Over-the-top milkshakes are always fun.
• Put together a scrapbook of school memories. Have them help or surprise them with the complete project
• Celebrate with a day at a local theme park or water park
• Take them to open a bank account and get a debit card. You could give them a little money to get started. This is a great age for them to start learning life skills of banking, budgeting, and saving. In high school, having a debit card is useful when they’re hanging out with friends and need money for food and activities.
• Get the graduate a bouquet of flowers
• Take a trip If you have multiple kids, this is the perfect time for a parent to take the graduating child on a one-on-one trip for some extra bonding time.
• Have friends, family, and teachers sign a copy of Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
What to write on an 8th-grade graduation card
Looking for some fun phrases for cards or signs? What to write on an 8th graduation card seems to stump everyone since it’s not high school graduation. We’ve got a few ideas:
Peace Out Middle School
Out the door, Class of 2027
Congratulations Graduate, Class of 2027
Want more graduation ideas? We’ve got you
- Graduation Cake and Cupcake design ideas
- 8th Grade Graduation Gift Ideas
- 20 Graduation Gift Ideas for College-Bound Seniors
- Graduation Day Donuts – DIY School Colors Icing