Graduation announcement wording: high school, college, and beyond
A graduation announcement shares the achievement with people who will not be at the ceremony. It is not an invitation and it does not ask for a gift, which is exactly why relatives like getting one.
What follows is the checklist, then wording for every kind of graduate. On our graduation cards you give us the graduate's name, the school or degree, and the class year, and we set the type for your proof.
What to include
- The graduate's full name.
- The school. For college, the degree and the major, or honors, if you like.
- The class year, or the date of the ceremony.
- Who is announcing: the graduate, or the parents, or the whole family.
- Optional: what is next, in one line. 'Headed to Texas A&M this fall' is a favorite.
If you are also inviting people to a party, that is a separate card, or a separate line that says when and where. An announcement on its own asks for nothing.
Formal
Mr. and Mrs. David Avery
proudly announce the graduation of their son
Jordan Michael Avery
Class of 2026
Canyon High School
Maya Elizabeth Brooks
announces her graduation from
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Arts, with honors
May 2026
Daniel Ruiz
Master of Science in Nursing
Texas State University
Class of 2026
The family of
Dr. Elena Marie Santos
proudly announces her graduation
Doctor of Medicine · May 16, 2026
Proud parent
She did it.
Maya Brooks
B.A., Honors · Class of 2026
With love and pride, Mom and Dad
The graduate
Class of 2026
Jordan Avery
Canyon High School
The first in our family to walk the stage.
Mateo Daniel Ruiz
Texas State University · May 2026
We could not be prouder.
Proud grad
Class of 26
Sofia Reyes
On to greater things
From the graduate
I graduated.
Jordan Avery · Class of 2026
Canyon High School
Caps off.
Maya Brooks, B.A. 2026
Thank you for every bit of help along the way.
Done, and just getting started.
Hart Cole · Class of 2026
Headed to Texas A&M this fall
Ten years later than planned, and worth every one.
Jenna Scott
Bachelor of Science · May 2026
Adding a party or an open house
If the same card invites people to celebrate, keep the invitation to two lines at the bottom so the announcement still reads first.
Jordan Avery
Class of 2026 · Canyon High School
Please join us for an open house
Saturday, June 6, 2 to 5 pm · the Avery home
Maya Brooks, B.A. 2026
We are celebrating with dinner
May 23 at 6 pm · details at the number below
When to send, and to whom
Announcements usually go out two to three weeks before the ceremony or in the two or three weeks after it. Either is correct; the ceremony date simply gives the card its moment.
Send one to relatives, family friends, former teachers and coaches, and anyone who helped along the way. Our graduation cards come in sets of 25 to 150 with white envelopes included. Every order gets a free digital proof first, so the school name and the honors read exactly as they should. Order about three weeks ahead of when you want them mailed.
