For Immediate Release
Tampa, Fl. (May 12, 2026) – Hillsborough County Public Schools is proud to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 as seniors prepare to take the stage and receive their high school diplomas.
A total of 37 graduation ceremonies—including those for exceptional student centers, adult schools, technical colleges, career acceleration academies, Hillsborough Virtual School, and traditional high schools—will be held over an eleven-day period. This year, more than 14,000 seniors will don their caps and gowns and walk proudly across the stage, marking an important milestone and the beginning of their next chapter.
Graduation ceremonies began today, Tuesday, May 12, for exceptional student centers and will begin Friday, May 22 for traditional high schools. All traditional high school ceremonies will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, located at 4800 US 301 in Tampa.
Family and friends who are unable to attend in person can watch the ceremonies live on https://hillsboroughschools.tv/, Spectrum cable channel 635, and Frontier cable channel 32.
“As Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “Their accomplishments reflect tremendous dedication, perseverance, and hard work. I am deeply grateful to our teachers, administrators, and support staff whose commitment creates opportunities that reach more students and families than any other educational option in our county. As our graduates move forward, I hope they carry with them the knowledge, skills, and experiences gained here—experiences that reflect the powerful, lasting impact of Hillsborough County Public Schools.”
For security reasons, media interested in covering any of the graduation ceremonies must contact Debra Bellanti or Tanya Arja in the Office of Communications. Once the Office of Communications is notified, reporters and photographers should enter the fairgrounds in a marked media vehicle at the Highway 301 gate and proceed to the Expo Hall. Once inside, the media will be escorted to the area where they will be permitted.
Please see a list of our distinguished graduates below and click on the link for a full list of each ceremony: 2026_Graduation___Rehearsal_Schedule_School_Bo.pdf