Dear Parents and Guardians of the Class of 2026,

1. Graduation Date: The Class of 2026 graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 5:30pm. Please mark your calendars for this important date.

2. Graduation Requirements: It is essential to emphasize that all graduation requirements must be met for a student to participate in the graduation ceremony. This includes the successful completion of all required credits and coursework.

3. Senior in Good Standing: To be considered a "Senior in Good Standing," at WWIA if on the 18 credit track, (In-person, Virtual, or Hybrid) students must currently have a minimum of 14 credits completed. This status is crucial for staying on track to graduate on time. Additionally, it is the expectation that ALL seniors will pass all of the courses in which they are currently enrolled, as well as all courses for Quarter III, and Quarter IV.

   1. Seniors who are virtual and on the 22 credit track must have a minimum of 19 credits completed and be on track to complete three credits second semester.

4. Support for Credit-Deficient Students: For students who are not currently on track to graduate and are severely behind in credits (currently sitting at 10 credits or fewer), we strongly recommend exploring our 23A Program. This program is specifically designed to assist students who are significantly credit deficient by providing tailored support and resources to help them achieve their academic goals.

   1. If 23A is the best fit for your student to complete their classwork please reach out to Chris Swanson - swansonc@wwcsd.net for additional information.

   2. Students who complete their 18 credits through Graduation Alliance 23A still graduate and walk with the rest of WWIA on May 30th.

5. FAFSA   All seniors who plan to graduate in May 2026 should complete their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Parents also need to create their FSA ID and add their information, otherwise the student's FAFSA is not complete.

Please Note: Participation in end-of-year activities, including prom and graduation, is a privilege and is contingent upon students being in good behavioral standing. The administration reserves the right to revoke a student's eligibility to participate in these activities if the student engages in behavior that is egregious, grossly insubordinate, violent, or otherwise in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. In such cases, refunds may not be issued.

The website is: FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid   

Many lower income students might qualify for the FREE PELL grant (which does not have to be paid back), as well as Government subsidized student loans, which do have to be paid back. Applying for FAFSA can also qualify students for College Work Study Programs, where some jobs on college campuses can be made available to students.

In addition, ALL Michigan students who complete the FAFSA are eligible to have part to all of trade school, community college, and portions of university paid for by the State of Michigan through the Community College Guarantee  FAFSA completion is also  necessary to qualify for other State of Michigan programs, including the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Tuition Incentive Program.

Further, universities require a completed FAFSA in order to award any institutional funds. Many scholarships also require proof that you have already applied for FAFSA. For more detailed information, click the link below:  Federal Student Aid

Students and families interested in learning about financial aid basics are encouraged to register for a virtual financial aid presentation provided by the MI Student Aid team. 

Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:

• FAFSA application information

• Federal financial aid programs

• State financial aid programs

• Scholarship searching resources

There are multiple dates and times to choose from and all sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.

6. Cap & Gown:  Orders are currently past due. Please email Mrs. Brittany at GladdenB@wwcsd.net before 3/25 with your senior's name, height, weight, and if they will need a regular or XL cap. We cannot accept any orders after March 25th, no exceptions. Payment is not due until April 1, 2026. Cap, gown and tassel is $38 if you ordered before 12/19, and $43 if ordered January 1-March 25th, and yours to keep. You may purchase additional tassels for $10 each. Payment is cash (exact change please) or money order made out to Wayne Westland Community Schools.

If you have any questions about your student's current standing or need guidance regarding graduation requirements, please do not hesitate to contact our counseling department. We are here to support you and your student throughout this important time.

It is the expectation that your child will schedule a meeting with their counselor so that they can jointly review the audit of their transcript. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact your child's counselor. 

Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring the success of our seniors. Let's work together to make this a memorable and rewarding year for the Class of 206.

Educationally yours, 

Dr. K. Rosser

Principal, Wayne-Westland Innovative Academy