Mount Zion High School 2023-2024 Graduation Information Sheet
***Please Read All Information Carefully***
The information on this form is for all students eligible to graduate this school year regardless of current grade level. Please remember that ordering graduation materials, taking pictures, etc. does not guarantee that you will meet graduation requirements and be able to participate in a graduation ceremony.
*Be sure to turn in your laptop during laptop collection. If you have misplaced your computer cord or laptop, please see Ms. Ashley Davis in the media center to order replacement or request cost of computer.
Join MZHS Class of 2024 Canvas for ongoing announcements, scholarships and career information. Please make sure you have completed all Naviance Tasks in order to be cleared for graduation and receive tickets.
Mount Zion High School Spring graduation ceremony: Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 4:00 pm. Students must arrive by 12:30 pm at the Mount Zion High School Gym for cap and gown check and transportation to the GICC by Clayton County Public Schools buses.
Location: Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse College Park, GA 30337.
Graduation Rehearsal will be on Friday, May 17th and Monday, May 20st at 10:00 a.m.
All graduating seniors will receive 10 graduation tickets for guests.
Cap and gown can be purchased in advance by Herff Jones or on the day of the ceremony at the Convention Center. All cap and gown will be delivered on April 24th during all lunches.
The last day for graduating seniors is Friday, May 10, 2024.
**All PCA Satellite, Main Campus and AVA students who graduate in the spring can walk with their homeschool and must order the homeschool cap and gown. PCA students must pick up diploma from PCA. Students must contact their homeschool for permission to participate in senior activities. You must be cleared by PCA counselors to participate in the ceremony. Check the homeschool website for information or email Mrs. Edwards-Cooper at Kella.edwards-cooper@clayton.k12.ga.us.
Mount Zion High School students only will pick up diploma immediately after the graduation ceremony. Once students receive their diploma, they will have a seat and all students will be release at one time outside Hall D.
Commencement Tickets & Live Streaming Services
Entry into the ceremonies will be ticketed. Be advised that tickets will be distributed directly to seniors by respective school leadership and stakeholders should not visit schools to pick up tickets for graduation. This decision is due to the district’s commitment to providing a safe event for students and their guests and our employees. Those attending the ceremony will be scanned upon entry.
Each ceremony will be live-streamed from the GICC and is accessible on the district’s website, www.clayton.k12.ga.us. Watch parties for family and friends are also encouraged. Have trouble accessing the streaming video? Please review the following support: • Please ensure that your device's operating system is up to date (this includes mobile devices) • Please use one of the following recommended internet browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari • Please ensure that your browser is up to date and refresh as necessary.
Parking for the Ceremonies
Parking at the facility, which is limited, will cost $10. Payment will be by card only. The lot will be closed when capacity has been reached. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Local transit services, if applicable, Uber or Lyft options, and use of short-term parking at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are recommended as alternative options.
Ceremony GICC Requirements
NO CELL PHONES ON STAGE, NO BALLOONS, LARGE SIGNS, NOISEMAKES, etc. or WEAPONS ALLOWED IN THE CONVENTION CENTER. SECURITY CHECKS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE DOOR AND THESE ITEMS WILL BE CONFISCATED.
Items NOT allowed in any ceremony
While we want this to be a joyful celebration for the graduates and their parents/guardians, relatives, friends, and guests, the following items are NOT allowed in the Performing Arts Center/GICC for any graduation ceremony. Guests will be asked to return them to their vehicle. District/Performing Arts Center/GICC staff will NOT be responsible for holding or watching items.
Weapons
Tobacco or vaping products (this includes lighters)
Balloons (by city ordinance
Signs of any size (hand held church style fans are permitted)
Noise-Makers
Glass vases
Food/Drink (in the auditorium)
Clear, See-Through Bags ONLY!
Guests attending ceremonies at either the Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro or the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park may only bring clear, see-through bags to the event. Guests will be asked to return bags that are not clear or see-through will be asked to return them to their vehicle(s). District/GICC staff will not be responsible for holding or watching items.
There will be NO re-entry into the GICC. If you leave, you will not be able to return. (You may only re-enter if you are returning one of the above items to your vehicle.)
Important: To prepare for the processional, five (5) minutes before the start of each ceremony, we will temporarily close entry doors to the event space. Those arriving after this time will have to remain in the pre-function area of the facility so please keep this in mind. We will reopen the doors following the performance of the National Anthem. Please note that attendees can view the ceremony on display monitors in the pre-function area until doors are reopened.
Spring graduates’ transcripts will be available on June after June 10th for Spring graduates. You can request official transcripts through https://claytonga.scriborder.com/ and GAfutures.org
Herff Jones Order and Payment Portal - Click this link for the Herff Jones website to order your cap and gown and make payments. Enter the name of your school (Mount Zion High School, Jonesboro, GA) to order the correct cap and gown.
Basic graduation package - $300 plus tax (includes cap and gown, participation in graduation ceremony and diploma)
Herff Jones will be on site on the day of graduation for students who haven’t received their cap and gowns. You can bring cash or card to pay on the day of graduation if you haven’t already paid online.
Call Herff Jones with any questions about your cap and gown or diploma order. The school cannot assist with payments. Please note that it may take several attempts to reach someone due to office hours (770) 921-9022.
General dress code for graduation ceremony:
Any student not meeting proper dress attire will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
The dress code is as follows:
APPORIATE DECORATION ON THE GRADUATION CAP is allowed!
Men: Please wear a solid white or off-white collared dress shirt with tie and black slacks. Please wear black dress shoes. NO sneakers, flip flops, slides, or crocs allowed.
Ladies: Please wear solid, knee-length, black dress. also permitted. Please wear black flats. NO sneakers, flip flops, slides, or crocs allowed.
The ceremony attire CANNOT be provocative, patterned, or inappropriately revealing in any way. Shades, sagging pants, and hats are not allowed.
NO sneakers, flip flops, slides, or crocs allowed.
Please contact your counselor if you have any questions about your graduation status. Counselors are assigned based on the student’s last name.
Mrs. K. Edwards-Cooper (A-G) Kella.edwards-cooper@clayton.k12.ga.us
Mr. N. Carroll (H-O) Nicholas.carroll@clayton.k12.ga.us
Dr. B. Dare (P-Z) Bernadette.dare@clayton.k12.ga.us
Mr. C. Horton (9th Grade Only) Cedric.horton@clayton.k12.ga.us