May 13th, 2026

Hello Lancer Families and Guardians!

 

Commencement 2026 is quickly approaching, and we are excited for our new location this year: the Kitchener Auditorium located at 400 East Ave. in Kitchener. 

Commencement is on Wednesday June 24th, and the ceremony starts at 6:30 P.M. We ask that graduates please be at the auditorium no later than 5:45 P.M. in order to get them organized and ready to go! All graduates will head into the auditorium and gather in the Viewing Lounge which is located between the two smaller ice rinks. There will be staff and signs to direct you.

Guests are asked to enter either through the doors off Stirling Ave (Entrance 7) or Ottawa St. (Entrance 13). 

Once you enter, you will see a large staircase leading up to where your tickets will be collected and a program will be given to you. There will be many staff volunteers to show you to the seating areas!

There will be limited seating for guests on the arena floor. Guests are also invited to sit in the gold level auditorium seating. When it comes time for your graduate to cross the stage, there will be an open row of seating at the front for you to pop down and take photos and then return to your seats. We ask that you wait until there are just a couple students ahead of yours before heading to that row in order to ensure everyone has a chance to take photos of their grad. If you are unsure of how to get to the arena floor, please look for a staff member in the gold seating area to guide you.

There will be a live feed of the grads crossing the stage on the jumbotron during the ceremony for everyone sitting up in the gold seats as well!!

 

Anyone who has filled out our Accessibility Request Form, will be contacted directly with some instructions.

Commencement gown packages and additional tickets purchased will be handed out mid June in homeroom classes. 

If you have any questions regarding Commencement, please reach out to sarah_bin@wrdsb.ca or call the school at 519-669-5414.