Midwest Parent Educators
Graduation Contract
MPE Graduation Ceremony Purpose Statement
Graduation symbolizes a “trophy presentation” where the individual trophies are, in essence, the graduates themselves. It is to His glory that these “trophies” are laid at the feet of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Thus, this ceremony is to focus, not on the graduates or their families, but on bringing honor and glory to our Savior.
The ceremony is to be considered a praise service to God, designed as a public display of the gratitude of the graduates and their parents for being given the privilege of home schooling. It is also to demonstrate the thankfulness of the graduates for their parents, as well as other relatives and friends, who were used by God to shape the lives and character of those graduates for future service to the Master.
Special care is to be given in the design of the ceremony to avoid any self-centered and inappropriate focus upon any individual graduate or parent by way of disrespectful attire, comments, gestures, noises, or any other activity that distracts from the God-centered intent of this event.
Graduation Procedures and Guidelines for MPE High School Graduation
MPE’s Board of Directors will appoint the Board Graduation Committee to consist of an MPE Board member and the Graduation Coordinator to oversee the annual graduation of MPE seniors with the support of MPE Staff members. The Committee will be functionally responsible for facilities, appeals, liaison with the graduation ceremony treasurer, ceremony (screening of speeches and pictures, colors, music for processional/recessional, etc.), policy confirmation/documentation, program, budget and recruiting of the Graduation Coordinator.
A graduation committee of the students and their parents will be formed, and the parents are responsible for the implementation and final outcome of the decisions made by the Graduation Committee or delegated to the student graduation committee. Because the graduation is representative of the homeschool community, it is required that parents attend two designated meetings (currently September and October) to discuss conduct, behavior, and responsibilities of the students before and during the ceremony. All unresolved problems are to be presented to the MPE Board Graduation Committee.
MPE is a Christian organization, and all graduation ceremonies shall reflect those views as stated in the MPE by-laws. No other religious text will be read, and no other gods prayed to during the MPE graduation ceremony. The MPE Statement of Faith will be applied to all areas including music and motto. Each graduate and parent accept that those choices may not reflect every personal doctrine they hold.
MPE will sponsor as many graduations as the committee decides is necessary to cover all graduation costs. MPE will assist in defraying the following costs of each graduation: facility, reception, and printed programs. The board will consider assisting with other costs that might present a hardship to the families of the graduates. All ceremonies will be coordinated through the same committee.
Requirements to Graduate
To be eligible to graduate a student must be exclusively homeschooled, homeschooled with participation in an educational co-op, private virtual school or college, or part of a dual enrollment program. Those enrolled in public school, including online public schools (virtual charter schools), for more than 50% of their classes anytime during their final two years of high school are ineligible to participate in the MPE graduation.
Each family with a student wishing to graduate must have an active membership for the duration of the graduate’s senior year, beginning no later than the November meeting.
A family may show their 2-year history of homeschooling in the following ways:
- Membership with MPE for the graduate’s Junior year.
- Membership with HSLDA for the graduate’s Junior year.
- Membership with a state organization from another state.
- Shows other proof of homeschooling in the graduate’s Junior year (i.e. participation in a homeschool enrichment program or co-op, dual-enrollment, or a transcript.)
If a student does not qualify initially to participate in the MPE graduation ceremony, appeals can be made in either written or verbal form to the Graduation Director who will consult with MPE Board of Directors. The Board alone reserves the right to determine whether a student under special circumstances may or may not participate. No appeals will be accepted after the November meeting.
Participation Requirement
A graduating senior or parent is expected to attend all meetings set by the committee unless excused by the Graduation Coordinator. If the senior is unavailable, a parent is required to represent the graduate at committee meetings and participate in their stead for any committee assignments. Failure to participate by either the graduate or their representing parent will result in removal from participation in the graduation ceremony. An appeal can be presented to the MPE Board Graduation Chair. Parents are responsible to oversee their graduate’s committee work and personal submissions to ensure it is done accurately and timely.
Graduation Fee
The Graduation Fee (separate from MPE membership) is $200 and due in full at the specified meeting (currently November). The Graduation fee received after the specified meeting date is $280. If a student decides not to graduate with MPE and notifies MPE before or on the January meeting date, fees will not be refunded if they have already been included in payments made for any portion of a ceremony; thus, a partial refund may occur. No refunds will be given after the January meeting date.
Dress Code
One of the stated purposes in the MPE Graduation Ceremony Purpose Statement is: “Special care is to be given in the design of the ceremony to avoid any self-centered and inappropriate focus upon any individual graduate or parent by way of disrespectful attire…” In keeping with this policy, the MPE Board has established the following dress code guidelines for the rehearsal and ceremony.
- Young Men Graduation Rehearsal: Shirt with collar, nice Jeans or slacks (no holes or tears), shoes, and neat hair with natural color. No shorts, T-shirts, or shirts with a logo. No body piercing displays or body modifications of any kind including earrings/expanders.
- Young Men Graduation Ceremony: The same guidelines as rehearsal for body piercings/modifications and hair except as follows: Dress pants, dress shirt with collar and tie, dress shoes required; No denim.
- Young Ladies Graduation Rehearsal: Dress or skirt knee-length or longer, nice Jeans or slacks (no holes or tears), neat hair with natural color. No shorts, slits above the knee, T-shirts, shirts with a logo. Shirts and dresses should be modest; not strapless, spaghetti-strap, halter-top, see-through, or with a low-cut back. No cleavage or exposed midriff (including when arms are raised or bending over). No undergarments exposed. No body piercing displays or body modification other than pierced ears (no expanders).
- Young Ladies Graduation Ceremony: Dress, skirt, dress slacks, or dress jumper is required. No denim; no shorts. All Rehearsal garment length and modesty standards are required. Also, the same guidelines as Rehearsal for body piercings/body modification and hair.
Signatures
By signing this contract below, I acknowledge that I have read the entirety of the MPE Graduation Contract and agree to abide it. Parents also agree to hold the student accountable to the Contract. I also acknowledge that MPE may reschedule or relocate graduation as warranted by circumstances.
Click here for printable version of the Contract
