The District 225 (D225) Board of Education has moved the graduation ceremony for the class of 2026 to Northwestern University’s Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Principal Dr. Barbara Georges said. The graduation ceremony this year, for the class of 2025, will take place at the Rosemont Theater, similar to previous years.

      The change came after the Rosemont Theater contacted the district about a future change in ownership, as they were unavailable to accept contracts as a graduation venue for 2026, Georges said.

     Senior Joyce Nam, who has visited Rosemont Theater for a concert in the past, complimented the theater’s amenities and said that the future change will make the 2025 graduation ceremony unique.

     “I don’t mind our graduation place being at [the] Rosemont Theater because knowing that we’re the last ones to be at Rosemomakes it more memorable and [feels]really special,” Nam said.

     D225 chose the Welsh-Ryan Arena after considering the size and location of nearby venues, Georges said. The Welsh-Ryan Arena has a seating capacity of 7,039, according to the Northwestern Athletics website. Dr. Mark Maranto, Assistant Principal for Student Activities and graduation program organizer has visited the venue with his North counterpart to account for the different location, Georges said.

      Graduation typically occurs on the Sunday before the last day of school. However, for the 2025-2026 school year, graduation falls during Memorial Day weekend, so the district approved South holding graduation on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Georges said. North’s graduation will be held the following day, according to the District 225 website.