2024 Graduation

You and your guests are invited to the annual Florida homeschool graduation. This event is hosted by your statewide organization, Florida Homeschool Association (FLHSA). This year's graduation takes place at the newly-renovated Hilton Garden Inn in Flagler County. The date and time is May 3, 2024 from 4-7 pm.  Please read this entire section for the important information you need to prepare for graduation!  Make sure to click Read More> (below) to expand this section. We cannot be responsible for missed information, and ask that you & your student review this description carefully:

Who is this for?

Our annual homeschool graduation ceremony is open to Florida Homeschooled Seniors and their special guests. All Florida homeschoolers who are graduating in 2024 are invited to join us! Any homeschooled high school graduate, regardless of age, homeschool method, educational option used, or group affiliation, is welcome! We will honor each unique student for their accomplishments, and each will be presented with a personalized diploma.

SPECIAL NOTE:  All student graduates are welcome regardless of philosophy, gender identity, homeschool method, faith stance, or anything else. For planning purposes, we simply remind of these two overarching themes: (1) this is a family event designed to celebrate the hard work and success of Florida homeschooled students, as they define it for themselves; and, (2) FLHSA is an inclusive & secular organization, therefore all are welcome, and there will be no religious elements at this event.

What is the ceremony like?

The ceremony will include a keynote address, student recognition ceremony, and the presentation of graduates/diplomas. The ceremony will be followed by a brief reception with opportunities for photos and conversation. Please watch for emails after registering, so you do not miss details about this special day.

Registering for Graduation / Buying Tickets

This year's graduation will be open to members and non-members of the Florida Homeschool Association (FLHSA). As a benefit of membership, FLHSA members will receive first priority in registration. If any tickets remain (not guaranteed), we will open registration up to non-members, until the event is full.

One registration (one ticket) is for the graduate + up to 4 guests. Students do not have to bring 4 guests, however we must limit the number of guests to 4 per graduate (even babies and toddlers count as guests, so please plan accordingly). Although we understand that some families are larger, we must ask that you limit your party to the student + four guests (or fewer).

Membership to the Florida Homeschool Association (FLHSA) occurs at our website: www.floridahsa.org/join. If you are already an active member, you will already have a member ID number. Please check to be sure your membership is valid before buying your ticket. The member ID number is available by logging in and checking your Member Dashboard. If you do not have a member ID, you may still participate in the graduation, but will have to wait until all FLHSA members register first. We will verify member ID numbers and those without an active membership will not be allowed to buy a member ticket (those that do will be canceled without notice, so please make sure your membership is active). 

As a reminder, FLHSA member tickets will go on sale first. Any remaining tickets will be open to non-member families. If you are a member, please register as early as possible, to guarantee seating. If you are a non-member, please keep checking back to see if non-member tickets become available, or join the FLHSA now to order a member ticket.

What is Required When Registering? Have These Items Ready!

Upon registration (when buying a ticket here) you will need to have the following information ready:

- the student's full name as you want it to appear on the diploma (please check spelling! it cannot be changed!)

- a phonetic pronunciation of the student's name (as best  you can) so we can say it properly during the ceremony

- a written "script" that we will read at the ceremony - approximately one long paragraph and we reserve the right to edit/shorten if necessary

- a student portrait (a good candid headshot is fine if a formal portrait is not available)

- your Member ID number if an active member of the FLHSA

- the names of each of your guests

- the number of guests you will bring with you (this number cannot be changed) up to 4 guests only

This information, above, will be requested when buying your ticket and registering for graduation. Please have it ready when buying your ticket and registering for graduation.

Things You Are Responsible For

Students/families will purchase their own cap & gown. The cap and gown should be coordinating (both the same color) and may be in any solid color of your student's choosing. We do not permit themed gowns (e.g. Harry Potter) and cap & gown should be a conservative, standard graduation ensemble in any solid color that your student prefers.

Class rings are optional, but your student is welcome to wear one! Tassels, stoles, scarves, and other standard gown accessories are also optional, but permitted, as long as they coordinate to the gown and are tasteful in attire.

Student dress code is up to them, but we ask that students wear something that is appropriate for an event of this type.

YES! Your student can decorate the cap if they want to!

Other Things You Need to Do

If you are staying at the hotel, or at another hotel in the area, please make your own travel arrangements and reservations. We are not providing hotel rooms, and recommend you do this early, on your own, to be sure you can find a vacancy. There are many hotels in Flagler County. If none are available, the closest hotels are in St. Augustine or Daytona Beach.

You must also check your email periodically. We may send you multiple emails prior to graduation. These are going to contain important information, and are the only way we can communicate with you up until graduation! We expect families to read our emails, to properly prepare for graduation. Please whitelist us, and do not wait until the last minute, in case there is information we need to communicate to you, with a deadline. We cannot be responsible for families who do not check email and do not have the details about this event. 

NO REHEARSAL

We are not planning a rehearsal as this is typically unnecessary. If we need to tell your student anything, we will contact you via email, but we do not anticipate holding a reheasal.

When to Arrive

Graduates need to arrive and be ready to assemble 30 minutes before graduation starts. All Seniors must be on the premises by 3:30 pm to check in with us. (Guests may arrive up until 4:00 pm. but students need to arrive early. Guests may wait outside briefly.)

Late Arrivals

We understand there are emergencies, but we ask that you arrive on time or early. We cannot permit disruptions to our speakers and the process, and ask that you plan accordingly as to avoiding traffic and parking issues. 

Where to Park

There is plenty of parking at the Hilton Garden Inn. However, if the parking lot is already full, you will find additional parking (short walking distance) at the restaurants and shops next door (Chipotle, Panera, etc).

Directions

The Hilton Garden Inn is just off I95 in Palm Coast (Flagler County). It is one block off Exit 284, on the north side of Rt. 100, at the corner of Rt. 100 and Town Center Boulvard. (The Hilton is undergoing an expansive renovation, and may look a bit different than old photos you find in some travel apps.)

Dining Options

Fast food options and grocery stores are easy to find in the area. For formal dining reservations, we make the following suggestions:

• EAST - a several mile drive East on Rt. 100 will take you into Flagler Beach, a quaint little beach town with numerous beachfront restaurants that serve outstanding food with ocean views.
• WEST - driving briefly West on Rt. 100, there is a Bronx House Pizza, an Olive Garden, and several other choices.
• NORTH - going North into Palm Coast, there are many restaurants including Carrabba's, Texas Roadhouse Grill, and many others. Further NORTH goes to St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city, with famous restaurants and entertainment for the whole family. 
• SOUTH - heading SOUTH towards Daytona Beach will offer hundreds of restaurant options, many beachside along the "World's Most Famous Beach".

Questions?

Should you have questions as we approach graduation, let us know. Before asking questions, please review this information, as it may already be answered, too. Watch emails as we send reminders throughout the spring semester!

Congratulations to all the Graduates & Families!