School Board Proposes Graduation Date Change to May 14 at Desert Diamond Venue

During the August Board Meeting of the Agua Fria Union High School District (AFUHSD) on August 13, 2025, a significant proposal was made regarding the school calendar, specifically the graduation date for seniors. The board is considering moving the graduation ceremony from Saturday, May 16, to Thursday, May 14. This change aims to utilize the Desert Diamond venue, which received positive feedback from parents, students, and staff during the previous year’s ceremony.

The proposed date adjustment is seen as a minimal change, as it is only two days earlier than the traditional graduation date. However, it raises important questions about the impact on families, particularly those who may need to take time off work to attend the ceremony. Board members expressed concerns about the logistics of travel for families, especially if the graduation falls on a weekday. The discussion highlighted the district's commitment to eventually returning to a weekend graduation date, although the increasing number of schools within the district may complicate this goal in the future.

In addition to the graduation date change, the board addressed the implications for students in grades 9 through 11, who will not be participating in the graduation ceremony. The preliminary plan is to implement a virtual learning day for these students on May 14, similar to the approach taken in previous years when graduation was rescheduled.

The discussions at this meeting reflect the district's ongoing efforts to balance the needs of graduating seniors with the broader student body, while also considering the logistical challenges faced by families. As the board moves forward with these proposals, the community will be watching closely to see how these changes will affect graduation traditions and student experiences in the coming years.