Cumberland County Schools schedules 17 graduation ceremonies for about 3,700 seniors at Crown Coliseum

Cumberland County Schools will hold 17 commencement ceremonies at the Crown Coliseum beginning Tuesday, May 20, and continuing June 3–5 for about 3,700 graduating students, district official Dr. Lindsey Whitley said on the district’s "Let's Talk Education" radio program.

"We're gonna have around 3,700 students who are graduating over the next few weeks," said Dr. Lindsey Whitley, associate superintendent of communications and community engagement for Cumberland County Schools.

The ceremonies will be held at the Crown Coliseum regardless of school size, Whitley said. The district has grouped graduations across four days; ceremonies typically run three to five per day depending on the schedule. Start times at the Coliseum are usually staggered (8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m.) to accommodate multiple ceremonies in one day.

Whitley said the district is directing families to a dedicated website, graduation.ccs.k12.nc.us, for the full schedule, live-stream links and frequently asked questions. "Even if you can't watch the graduation exactly at the right time ... you can always go back and watch it," she said.

Ticketing and seating will vary by school. Whitley said the number of tickets distributed depends on each graduating class and may range, in many cases, from about 10 to 12 tickets per student; some schools offer ways to request additional tickets. Families should contact their student’s school for the exact allotment and any extra-ticket processes.

The district recommended arriving about an hour before a ceremony to allow for parking and seating. Whitley also said the Crown Coliseum enforces a clear-bag policy and does not permit bulky gift items inside; patrons must follow size limits posted on the Coliseum’s website. The Coliseum is handicap accessible but does not provide wheelchairs, she added.

Whitley described behavior expectations during ceremonies: families may rise silently when a graduate’s name is called so others can hear, and disruptive behavior can result in removal. On the program she said guests who disrupt ceremonies "would be escorted out" by law enforcement.

Speakers on the broadcast highlighted postgraduation pathways. Whitley noted that many graduates receive career and technical education credentials and that some students have already accepted job offers or earned college credits that could place them into sophomore or junior standing. She cited — while describing a recent smaller school’s graduating class — "over $6,000,000 in scholarships" awarded to its students.

The district emphasized a community-oriented framing for the ceremonies. Whitley encouraged family members and community partners to attend or use the livestream links, and she thanked parents, guardians and local partners for supporting students through their K–12 education.

For schedule details, live streams and the district’s list of policies for the events, Cumberland County Schools has posted information at graduation.ccs.k12.nc.us.