MUSD middle schools stick with drive-through graduation

By Doug Spoon, Editor

While local high schools and some middle schools will conduct traditional graduation ceremonies with full seated attendance, middle schools in Menifee Union School District will continue with drive-through graduations this year, a district official said.

Heritage and Paloma Valley high schools will have full seating in their campus stadiums for 6 p.m. graduations on June 9 and 10, respectively. Santa Rosa Academy will have the first high school commencement with a full-attendance ceremony at 5 p.m. on May 24, with the same format for its middle school graduation that day at 9 a.m.

In the Romoland School District, Ethan A. Chase Middle School will have a traditional graduation ceremony at 9 a.m. on June 7.

But on June 8, only one of the five middle schools in MUSD – Harvest Hill STEAM Academy – will have a seated audience for a traditional graduation ceremony. Bell Mountain, Hans Christensen, Menifee Valley Middle School and Menifee Virtual School will all have drive-through graduations, as have taken place previously during the pandemic.

Asked for an explanation, MUSD public information officer Josue Reyna gave the following response:

“The district holds various end-of-the-year promotion activities for our students, including dances, awards ceremonies, and the like, many of which are in person; however, none of them are graduations. The 8th Grade Promotion has been a drive-through celebration the last two years, and continues to be for most MUSD middle schools this year.

“While this event format was initially introduced when students were engaged in distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the format was found to make for a more student- and family-centered event. The district has engaged, and continues to engage, with families and staff to discover how we can meaningfully, enthusiastically, and innovatively celebrate our students.”