Students can put on a cap and gown and cross the stage to applause at Sanborn Regional High School even if they haven't met all of the school's graduation requirements.
Sanborn is the only local high school that emulates the practice many secondary institutions, such as the University of New Hampshire, allow. At UNH and many other local colleges, students who are close to meeting graduation requirements are allowed to participate in commencement.
In order to take part, Sanborn students who are close to meeting the school's graduation requirements must meet with administrators in the spring and prove they are formally enrolled in summer classes in the Timberlane Regional School District, Exeter High School or a virtual learning course.
Sanborn Superintendent Keith Pfeifer said students who need the summer to finish their graduation requirements won't actually receive a diploma, but they're still allowed to be part of the ceremony.
The practice precedes Pfeifer, who has worked in the district for two years, but he said he sees value to it.
"They're not actually getting a diploma," he said. "... but it's important that they participate in an activity that has some meaning to them and their family because they would never have that chance again."
Students in all other area schools don't get that opportunity, and administrators said it's unlikely they will in the future.
Officials at Pinkerton Academy, Timberlane Regional High School and Salem High School said even if a student is just one course away from meeting graduation requirements, they don't get to join their graduating class on stage.
Timberlane Regional High School Principal Don Woodworth said the situation comes up "from time to time," but the district hasn't made an exception for any student who has requested the early graduation ceremony.
The same is true in Salem. Even if the students prove to administrators that they will take the rest of their required courses by the end of the summer, they can't graduate and don't get a diploma with the rest of their class, according to Superintendent Michael Delahanty.
"Unfortunately, it's without much fanfare, as soon as the requirement is met, we send them their diploma," he said.
Turning the tassels: 2008 high school graduations
Calvary Christian: Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m., at the school, 145 Hampstead Road, Derry
Londonderry High: Saturday, June 14, 2 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester
Pelham High: Friday, June 13, 6 p.m., at the school, 85 Marsh Road
Pinkerton Academy: Friday, June 13, 10:30 a.m., at the school, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry
Salem High: Friday, June 13, 7 p.m., at the school, 44 Geremonty Drive
Sanborn Regional High: Friday, June 13, 6 p.m., at the school, 17 Danville Road, Kingston
Timberlane Regional High: Friday, June 13, 5:30 p.m., at the school, 36 Greenough Road, Plaistow
