It was a season of caps, gowns, and well-earned cheers across New Haven, as the city’s public schools celebrated the Class of 2026 in style. A total of 1,177 New Haven Public School students crossed the graduation stage this week, marking one of the most uplifting milestones the community has to offer each year.

Among the highlights: roughly half of the graduating class is headed to college, while more than 100 students are moving on to vocational-technical schools — a testament to the wide range of pathways New Haven’s schools are helping young people pursue.

Hillhouse High School added its own proud chapter to the celebration, saluting 246 graduates in its Class of 2026. The ceremonies got underway Monday, with some events moved indoors to accommodate rainy weather — a minor inconvenience that did nothing to dampen the excitement for students, families, and faculty alike.

Taken together, these graduations represent hundreds of New Haven families gathering to cheer on the next generation as they step into college classrooms, trade programs, and careers. It’s a reminder of the dedicated students and educators who make moments like these possible — and a bright sign of what lies ahead for the Elm City.

Sources: Patch, New Haven Register