Grad night is a cherished tradition that marks the transition from high school to the next chapter of our students' lives. It's a safe, supervised, all-night celebration that takes place after graduation, giving our Class of 2028 graduates one final memorable experience together as a class.

For many students, grad night represents their last official gathering as Claremont High School and San Antonio High School classmates before they head off to college, careers, or other adventures. It's a chance to celebrate four years of hard work, friendships, and growth in a safe, sober environment.

Why can't the school just charge for grad night?

In the early 2000s, the Claremont Unified School District faced a lawsuit from a State of California Education Board employee who challenged the practice of schools requiring payments for activities like sports teams and special events. The lawsuit argued that since Claremont Unified is a public school district, requiring payments from families is illegal.

This legal decision established new guidelines. Since that legal decision, our district cannot require any payments from families for grad night or other activities. Instead, schools can only suggest "recommended donations" - and if a student's family cannot make that donation, the booster group must still ensure the student can participate.

This is why parent fundraising became essential. Without booster groups like ours, there would be no grad night at all. The district provides no financial support for these celebrations - it's entirely up to parent volunteers to raise the funds through donations, merchandise sales, and community events.

Other districts, different rules: Many neighboring school districts haven't faced similar lawsuits, so their schools can still require payments. That's why our fundraising approach may seem different from what families may experience in other districts.

The good news: This system ensures that every student can participate in grad night, regardless of their family's financial situation. It also means our community comes together to create something special for all our kids.