High School District 214 is exploring a new partnership with the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates as the venue for future graduation ceremonies, beginning in 2026.

The Board of Education first discussed the proposal at its meeting on June 26 and will revisit the item for further discussion and possible approval on July 10.

The proposal reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to providing a high-quality, family-friendly graduation experience. The NOW Arena offers numerous advantages, including seating for up to 8,000 guests, 3,200 free on-site parking spaces, full ADA accessibility, and professional coordination of logistics such as graduate lineups, security, and family reunification areas. 

In addition to offering a more consistent and comfortable setting, the arena’s availability would allow the district to return to a weekend graduation schedule for many schools, a change supported by family and staff feedback. The proposed schedules for 2026 and 2027 include a mix of weekend and weekday ceremonies.

Proposed Dates:

2026

• 5/24/2026 Sunday: Elk Grove, Prospect, Rolling Meadows
• 5/26/2026 Tuesday: Wheeling
• 5/27/2026 Wednesday: Hersey
• 5/28/2026 Thursday: Buffalo Grove

2027

• 5/14/2027 Friday: Elk Grove
• 5/15/2027 Saturday: Buffalo Grove, Hersey, Rolling Meadows, Wheeling
• 5/19/2027 Wednesday: Prospect

The move is also projected to reduce overall graduation expenses. More information will be shared with families after the Board finalizes its decision.