Richmond Public School Graduations to Look Different This Year

Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - After last year’s fatal shootings outside of the Huguenot High School graduation ceremony at the Altria Theater, graduations next week for Richmond City Public Schools will look different.

In a press conference Thursday afternoon, RPS went over significant changes to the graduation day process.

This year, students and families can expect heightened security, the use of metal detectors, and a clear bag policy in effect. Some ceremony locations will also be changed.

This year, ceremonies for Open High School, Richmond Community High School, Franklin Military Academy and Richmond Virtual Academy will be held at Virginia Union University on May 29.

Ceremonies for Huguenot, John Marshall, Thomas Jefferson and Armstrong high schools, as well as the Richmond High School for the Arts, will be at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on May 31.

These changes come as school leaders try to avoid the occurrence of another tragedy like the one that took place last summer.

Last June, 18-year-old graduate Shawn Jackson and his stepfather, Lorenzo Smith, were fatally shot after Huguenot High School’s graduation ceremony, which was held at the Altria Theater.

In addition to the aforementioned changes and restrictions, each of the venues will have a “dedication room." These rooms will have a counselor in case a graduate or guest starts to feel nervous or anxious during the ceremony.