How many guests will each graduate be allowed to bring? What's the seating like?
There are no tickets required for ceremonies but maximum capacity is 7,500 for family and friends, so come early to find your ideal seat on the floor or in the stands. Try to arrive an hour early -- this will give you plenty of time to get from parking to the venue, and then get through security screening.
Where do I park?
Please consult The Podium Parking Guide. Parking costs $10 at any of the lots referenced in the map.
Free parking will be available at North Central High School lot, four blocks north of The Podium, as well as Rock Pointe Business Park, five blocks to the northeast.
What if I have special accommodation needs?
Wheelchair access ramps are located at both the northwest and southwest entrances. A drop-and-go location can be found on Dean Street, near the north entrance. Note that Dean Street will be blocked to through traffic. ADA accessible parking is also available in parking lots noted on The Podium Parking Guide.
ADA seating will occur on the bleacher platforms. There are five platforms and each platform can fit 2-3 wheelchairs.
An Interpreter for Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be present for each graduation.
Where should students enter The Podium?
Soon-to-be-graduates should enter through the northside entrance. They’ll pass through security screening, then head downstairs. They can make a stop at the Jostens table, then line up as directed to await their moment in the sun. Don’t worry, there are bathrooms available.
Staff will tell students when and how to emerge from the staging area onto The Podium floor. NOTE: The Podium floor is not suitable for pointy-heeled shoes.
When it’s time to cross the stage, students will line up on the left-hand side.
After the ceremony, graduates will exit and walk around the north side of the building to meet family and friends. Please avoid congregating in front of The Podium, as we need to allow space for the next graduating class to arrive.
Where should families enter The Podium?
Families will enter through the south doors, and will pass through security screening before heading to their seats.
NOTE: The Podium floor and stands are not suitable for pointy-heeled shoes.
After families enjoy the show, they can exit through the south side doors, then walk around to the front of the building along Dean Street to meet their new high school graduate and head out to celebrate. Dean Street will be closed to through traffic. Please avoid congregating here so we can accommodate arrival of the next school's class of graduates.
Families seated on the floor can exit through the northside doors.
What items are prohibited/allowed in The Podium?
The Podium has a clear bag policy, meaning guests may carry one clear plastic or vinyl bag no larger than 14” x 14” x 6”. Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are also permitted.
Backpacks and purses larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are not permitted. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items or single compartment diaper bags (child must be present). Graduates and guests will be asked to move through a metal detector and undergo security screening.
Prohibited items include:
- Animals that are not service animals
- Artificial noisemakers
- Balloons
- Bicycles/scooters
- Coolers and bins
- Cushions with legs
- Drones
- Drugs and paraphernalia
- Explosives or fireworks
- Flammable liquids
- Glass
- Laser pointers
- Mace and pepper spray
- Outside food and beverage (bottled water is allowed for participating athletes)
- Projectiles
- Selfie sticks
- Signs with sticks (signs must be held by one person and no larger than 24” wide)
- Strollers
- Umbrellas
- Weapons, ammunition, firearms or anything that may be perceived as a weapon (including pocketknives, wallet chains, etc.)
⇒ Find more information on The Podium's Know Before You Go page.
Will there be time set aside for families to take photos of their graduate?
Absolutely! Graduates and guests are encouraged to revel in the moment immediately following the ceremony. The most picturesque photo opportunities can be found to the south of the building.
We encourage graduates and guests not to gather in front of the north entrance of The Podium to allow the next school room to enter. Dorian Studios will also be taking photos of graduates crossing the stage for purchase at most commencements.
Will the graduations be live streamed or recorded for family and friends who are unable to attend in person?
Thanks to our partnership with KSPS Public Television, the following commencements will air live at spokaneschools.org/stories and on Comcast channel 17 in Spokane:
- Ferris
- Lewis & Clark
- North Central
- On Track Academy
- Pratt Academy
- Rogers
- Shadle Park
- The Community School
Ceremonies will be available for later viewing at spokaneschools.org/stories.
