Seniors
Senior Countdown of Events
Know of other important dates or events not below?
Please contact Bonnie Baker at bonnie.baker@austinisd.org with your suggestions.
| Date and Time | Event | Details | Register / Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 25, 2026 from 8-11 p.m. | Senior Prom |
Etter Harbin UT Alumni Center | 2110 San Jacinto Blvd Project Graduation will provide Uber Vouchers for prom night to make sure the students have a safe ride home. |
|
| May 18, 2026 (time varies by location) | Elementary Senior Walks | Various Elementary Schools 7:30am | wear cap & gown Check in with your elementary to confirm details, but most of the elementary schools in our vertical have agreed to this date. |
Senior Walks |
| May 18, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. | McCallum Baccalaureate | Covenant Presbyterian | 3003 Northland Dr 6-8pm | wear cap & gown Inclusive and non-religious event to celebrate this milestone, with student and faculty speeches. |
Baccalaureate Sign-up to help. |
| May 22, 2026 at 8 a.m. | Senior Breakfast |
McCallum Library 8am | wear something to represent your next step Casual pot luck breakfast for the seniors hosted by Project Graduation. |
Breakfast Sign-up to help. |
| May 26, 2026 6:30-8 p.m. | Fine Arts Convocation |
McCallum Arts Center (MAC Theatre) 6:30-8pm | wear cap & gown Ceremony to honor Fine Arts Academy students for completing their specific fine arts major requirements. |
|
| May 27, 2026 1:30-4 p.m. | Senior Carnival |
McCallum High School (check-in at small gym) 1:30-4pm | wear your senior jersey or a Mac T-shirt. Annual end-of-year celebration for graduating seniors, featuring rides, games, food trucks and prizes. A free event hosted by Project Graduation. |
Carnival Sign up to help. |
| May 29, 2026 at 4p.m. | McCallum Graduation |
Burger Arena | 3200 Jones Road 4pm | wear cap & gown McCallum High School commencement will begin at 4pm. Students will get additional information about times for arrival |
Cap & Gowns
Cap and gown delivery in the cafeteria on Thursday, April 2nd (8:30 am-1:30 pm) in the cafeteria.
Order your cap and gown and other official grad supplies. Our graduation provider is Herff Jones.
Final Exam Information for Seniors
Attention Class of 2026! Please note that Senior Exams have been moved up this spring. Finals will now begin on Tuesday, May 19th, and conclude on Friday, May 22nd. While exams will be finished, the fun isn't over! We have a full slate of daily activities planned for your final week of school. Please remember that participation in these events is required, as they will account for your student attendance leading up to graduation. We will go over the full schedule and all specific details during our Senior Meeting this Wednesday during FIT in the MAC Theater. See you there!
Seniors will take their exams during the normal class period. We will not adjust our bell schedule to accommodate senior finals.
Seniors will be expected to attend all classes during that week.
Senior Exam Schedule
Tuesday, May 19th - 7th and 8th period finals
Wednesday May 20th - 3rd and 4th period finals
Thursday, May 21st - 5th and 6th period finals
Friday, May 22nd - 1st and 2nd period finals (first day of finals for all students, half days begin)
We will have a series of senior events the last week of school to capture their attendance.
Graduation
Event Date & Time:Fri. May 29th at 4pm
Location: Burger Arena @ 3200 Jones Rd
No tickets are required to attend graduation but we ask that seniors not invite more than 8 family members/guests.
The McCallum graduation ceremony will take place in-doors at Burger Activity Center.
Seniors should arrive one hour before the start of graduation.
There will be a shuttle service (more information available closer to graduation)
Quick Facts:
-
Indoor Ceremony
-
No tickets required
College Prep, Applications, and FAFSA
Here is a checklist of tasks to accomplish prior to graduation:
- Apply to four year or two year school, enlist in the military, or apply to the workforce
- Take and pass the Texas State Initiative exam (many of you are exempt - stay tuned for more info!)
- Complete the FAFSA or the opt-out form. Do not do this yet! It’s not time…but keep it on your list of things to do.
Getting started with FAFSA Application
The '26-'27 FAFSA Application is officially open! You can access the application through the studentaid.gov website, and create the student FSA ID if you have not done so.
Step One: Create student FSA ID (You will receive an email from the federal government once your ID has been fully established).
Step Two: You can then complete the FAFSA application in the STUDENT account for year 26-27 in its entirety. Student will invite parent and then parent creates FSA ID to be able to complete their portion.
Here are the updates:
1. The students will no longer need to know their parents DOB, social security, or address.
2. The student only needs to know their parent(s) email address for the contributor section.
3. Parent(s) will receive the invitation via email then they can create their FSA ID if they do not have one.
4. If parents are married and file jointly, only one parent needs an FSA ID.
5. Pell grant still strong. Workforce pell grant still exists. No changes to subsidized loans. No changes in definition of full-time enrollment for a student. YAY!
Scholarship Opportunities
2026 Highland Park Elementary PTA Scholarship
The Highland Park Elementary PTA funds a Service Scholarship for eligible graduating seniors who are alumni of Highland Park. The scholarship recognizes the applicant who best embodies the area of Service during their school years.
This scholarship is offered for any qualified Austin ISD high school graduating senior who attended Highland Park Elementary (Austin ISD) for at least 3 years.
Graduating seniors need to be enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university/technical institute in the summer or fall semester immediately following the applicant's high school graduation. The funds may be used for educational purposes including books, tuition and educational fees.