News & Events

Commencement Class of 2026

Commencement Weekend Schedule

Thursday, May 21, 2026

7:30 p.m. Spring Festival of the Arts, Werner Centennial Center
Required school appointment for all students (exam dress). Parents are invited to attend.

Friday, May 22, 2026

2 p.m. Spring Awards Ceremony, Commencement Lawn (under the tent)
Required school appointment for all students (classroom dress). Families are invited. Visit Westminster Live to view the livestream.
7 p.m. Baccalaureate Service, Andrews Memorial Chapel
Required school appointment for all Sixth Form students. Sixth Form parents are invited. Visit Westminster Live to view the livestream.
7:45 p.m. Lawn Ceremony, Sixth Form Lawn
Required school appointment for all Sixth Form and Fifth Form students (classroom dress). Fifth and Sixth Form families are invited. Visit Westminster Live to view the livestream.
8:30 p.m.
Sixth Form Receiving Line, Sixth Form Lawn
All students are invited to attend.
Refreshments for Fifth and Sixth Form Parents, Keyes Patio, Cushing Hall
10 p.m. Boarding Students Check In on Corridor, Day Students Depart Campus

Saturday, May 23, 2026

8 a.m.
Presentation of Sixth Form Flowers, Commencement Rehearsal and Family Photos, Keyes Porch
Required school appointment for all Sixth Form students (commencement dress). Families and graduates are invited to take photos with a professional photographer before or after Commencement rehearsal.
9:30 a.m.
Sixth Form Class Photo, Cushing Hall
Required school appointment for all Sixth Form students.
10 a.m.
Commencement, Commencement Lawn (under the tent)
Required school appointment for all students. Visit Westminster Live to view the livestream. Photographers will be available for family photos after Commencement.
Noon
Buffet Lunch Available, Armstrong Dining Hall
1 p.m. End-of-year departure for Sixth Formers

Commencement Address

This year’s Commencement speaker is Draggan Mihailovich P’22, ’25, ’25, an award-winning journalist and executive editor of 60 Minutes. A graduate of the University of North Carolina with a degree in journalism, Draggan joined 60 Minutes in 1998 and was named executive editor in August 2025 after more than two decades of distinguished reporting. Over the course of his career, his investigative reporting, profiles and international coverage have earned seven Emmy Awards and three Edward R. Murrow Awards, placing him among the most respected producers in broadcast journalism. A member of the North Carolina Media and Journalism Hall of Fame and a recipient of UNC’s Distinguished Young Alumni Award, Draggan is known not only for his professional excellence but also for his humility, mentorship and commitment to sharing his craft with students. Draggan and his wife, Hope, are the proud parents of three Westminster graduates, Ben ’22, Jillian ’25 and Alex ’25.
Draggan Mihailovich P’22, ’25, ’25

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 11 frequently asked questions.

  • Who may attend Commencement?

    Immediate family members, approximately 10-12 people, are welcome to attend.

  • What is the inclement weather plan?

    In the unlikely event that lightning or thunderstorms are in the area at the time of any outdoor events, the timing would be adjusted to ensure the safety of the community. If weather and timing requires us to move events indoors, the Lawn Ceremony would take place in Armstrong Atrium in Armour Academic Center. The Spring Awards Ceremony or Commencement take place under a large tent. If we are unable to gather under the tent, the events would take place in Werner Centennial Theater. For Commencement, the Class of 2025 would be seated in the orchestra area, the faculty on the first circle closest to the stage and two guests for each graduate in the remaining theater seating. In this circumstance, additional guests will need to watch the event on livestream. Regardless of the weather, a livestream of the ceremonies will be available in Armour Academic Center’s Armstrong Atrium, Sejong Lecture Hall and Adams Dining Room.

  • Where should guests park?

    Guests will be directed to park behind Armour Academic Center. Please do not park around the Sixth Form Lawn during Commencement Weekend. 

  • Are there reserved seats for Commencement?

    Graduates and special guests will have seats reserved at the front of the tent. Seating for families and other guests is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Families or students who wish to hold seats may place a placard on individual seats beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday. Any placards placed before 7 a.m. will be removed.

  • Where can we stay? Where can we have dinner on Friday evening?

    Please click here to see a list of area hotels and restaurants. Make dinner reservations early and plan to be back to campus before 7 p.m. for the Lawn Ceremony.

  • Where can we have lunch on Saturday?

    Following the Commencement Ceremony, everyone is welcome to enjoy a buffet lunch in Armstrong Dining Hall.

  • Will photographs be taken of each student?

    Highpoint Pictures will be taking candid and formal photos throughout Saturday morning. A professional photographer will take a photo as the diploma is handed to the student and after the student leaves the stage. Guests are encouraged to request a family photo from a photographer before or after the Commencement Ceremony. An email from Highpoint Pictures will be sent to Sixth Form parents about two weeks after Commencement, when the photos are ready to be reviewed and purchased.

  • Will the events be livestreamed? 

    The Awards Ceremony, Baccalaureate Service and Lawn Ceremony on Friday will be livestreamed. Commencement Exercises are scheduled to be livestreamed on Saturday morning. All livestreams can be accessed at www.westminster-school.org/live on the day of the event. 

  • Can the school accommodate guests with mobility issues?

    Guests with mobility issues should be dropped off at the entrance to Armour Academic Center. Golf carts will be available for guests who need assistance getting to the Lawn Ceremony on Friday evening or the tent on Commencement Lawn. Please contact Kerry Masiero, Executive Assistant to the Head of School, at kmasiero@westminster-school.org or 860-408-3012 to address any additional issues. We will make every effort to accommodate your request.

  • When do Sixth Form students depart?

    Sixth Form students depart campus at 1 p.m. following Commencement. Families can pack up before Commencement, or immediately following the event.

  • Are pets allowed on campus for Commencement?

    While service animals are welcome on campus, we request that non-service animals not be brought to campus for Commencement Weekend.

Contact Us

995 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070

P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001

Explore Our Website

Get Social

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. 
© Copyright 2026 Westminster School  |  Privacy Policy
AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.