Henrico Virtual Academy Senior Convocation is a formal ceremony that acts as a significant "Official Announcement" for Henrico Virtual Academy’s current graduating class.
When: Early Fall (September or October).
Purpose: This ceremony officially marks the start of the Henrico Virtual Academy students final year of public school. It's designed to honor the HEnrico Virtual Academy students as they transition into senior leadership roles and to motivate them to finish strong.
What happens:
- Remarks from school leadership, faculty, and/or guest speakers.
- A formal ceremony where the seniors commit to their final year.
- Often, the class is recognized and encouraged to fight "senioritis" and complete all academic requirements.
Henrico Virtual Academy Junior/Senior Prom represents a cultural farewell to high school adolescence and the exciting transition toward adulthood. For many, it's the last time the entire graduating class will gather together in a social setting before they scatter for college, work, or other ventures.
- Timing Held in the late spring (May 1, 2026), close to the end of the academic year and before graduation.
- Exclusivity It is for 12th-grade students (Seniors), and juniors (11th graders) and sometimes underclassmen can attend as dates.
- Attire It is a formal event. Attendees dress up significantly: women wear floor-length or cocktail-style evening gowns, and men wear tuxedos or formal suits.
- Venue Unlike many school dances, prom is often held off-campus at a prestigious venue, such as a grand hotel ballroom, banquet hall, or country club.
- Traditions Key traditions include: dinner, taking formal photos, the exchange of corsages and boutonnieres, dancing to a DJ or live band, and the crowning of a Prom King and Prom Queen.
Henrico Virtual Academy Annual School Graduation Commencement Ceremony, is the official ceremony that marks the successful completion of a Henrico Virtual Academy student's high school education and their receipt of a high school diploma from Henrico Virtual Academy.
It is the culminating event of our students' entire K-12 academic journey and is a significant rite of passage symbolizing the transition from adolescence to adulthood. It is a very intimate yet formal event where our students' academic accomplishments are recognized.
- Attire Graduates typically wear academic regalia, which includes a gown and a square cap (mortarboard) with a tassel. Honor cords, stoles, or medals are worn by students with high academic achievement or special distinction.
- The Processional The ceremony begins with the graduates, faculty, and administrators marching in. The music played is traditionally Sir Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance
- "Speeches The program includes addresses from school leaders (e.g., Principal, Superintendent), the Valedictorian (highest-ranking student), the Salutatorian (second-highest), and often a guest speaker.
- Conferring of Diplomas This is the central act. Each student's name is called, they walk across the stage, shake hands with officials, and are given a diploma folder (the actual diploma is often mailed later, after final grades are processed).
- Tassel Turning A collective, symbolic moment where the entire class moves the tassel on their cap from the right side to the left side, signifying their change in status from candidate to graduate.
- The Recessional The formal part of the ceremony concludes as the graduates march out to celebratory music.
