Culmination is a special ceremony held the day after the last day of school, celebrating 8th graders who have completed all of the requirements below. Think of it as a milestone we work toward together, not a list of ways to miss out. Culmination eligibility is separate from moving on to 9th grade. That decision is made by the school leadership team together with your family.

Save the Date

  • Culmination Ceremony: June 11
  • Optional Family Meeting: September 9, 6:45 pm, MPR (more in-person and online dates coming soon)

Requirements to Take Part in Culmination

To walk at Culmination, students need to meet all of the following by the end of the year:

  • ✅ Keep a 2.5 GPA or higher, averaged across the whole year. (Had a 2.0 first semester? A 3.0 second semester gets you there.)
  • ✅ No more than 3 referrals for the year.
  • ✅ All referrals closed, or on track to close.
  • ✅ Complete 5 hours of community service before Grad Nite and other 8th grade activities, including the reflection assignment that goes with it.
  • ✅ Submit applications to 3 high schools. (Following a sibling to their high school? Submit proof of application and enrollment instead.)
  • ✅ Attend ECMSG’s High School Night in October.
  • ✅ No more than 8 absences all year, excused or unexcused.
  • ✅ No more than 10 tardies per semester.

Tracking Your Progress

Students check in on these requirements regularly in advisory and share their progress at student-led conferences. If a student isn’t on track yet, their advisory team builds an action plan together with them before the Quarter 4 conference. There’s time to turn things around.

Support for Students with an IEP or 504 Plan

Students with an IEP or 504 plan are working toward these same requirements as every other 8th grader. Their team provides extra progress monitoring and support throughout the year to help them get there.

If a Requirement Is Missed: Appeals

A student who misses a requirement can appeal. An appeal includes a written reflection and an updated action plan, and may include a short presentation to a panel of ECMSG staff, with the student’s family there too.

Grad Nite — 8th Grade

All 8th graders are invited to Grad Nite, a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain celebrating the end of the year. To attend, students need to:

  • Be on track to meet all Culmination requirements.
  • File a Grad Nite appeal if they’re not yet on track, or if they have a referral for a serious safety violation.
  • Complete all 5 community service hours before Grad Nite.

Grad Nite appeals are separate from Culmination appeals, and a decision on one doesn’t decide the other. Appeals are due by the announced deadline and are reviewed based on academic standing, behavior history, and effort toward school expectations.

Grad Nite tickets are non-refundable once purchased. Please confirm your student meets the requirements above before buying one.

Questions? Contact your student’s advisory teacher or the school office.