Update includes: maps, parking information and more
Friday, we send our students of the Class of 2023 off into the world with our annual graduation ceremony at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.
Please review the information below for details, and take note of the map for reference.
Graduation Rehearsal
High School Main Gym
Thursday, June 22, (arrived by) 11:30 a.m.
Graduation Ceremonies
Empire State Plaza Convention Center, 279 Madison Ave, Albany
Friday, June 23, at 6 p.m.
Event Info:
Friday, June 23, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.
Seating is first-come, first-serve. Tickets are not required, and there is no limit to the number of attendees.
At this time, there are no restrictions or limitations regarding COVID. Masks and prior testing are not required, but social distancing is encouraged.
Arrival Times:
Graduates that are driving must be in their Meeting Rooms at the Convention Center by 5:00 p.m., and graduates need to arrive in their caps and gowns.
For anyone who requires handicap accommodations or seating, doors to the convention center will open at 5:00 p.m., and one additional person will be allowed in with that individual (please see spectator arrival below)
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for general admission, and seating is first-come, first-serve. Tickets are not required, and there is no limit to the number of attendees. There is plenty of seating in the Convention Center.
Parking (see back for map):
All attendees will park in the V-lot (see map below, formerly known as P-3 North), under the convention center. Please note that the V-lot does have handicap spaces, and V-lot charges $10 per car.
Payment can only be made via credit card at the parking kiosk, please take the card with you when leaving your car so you can pay at a kiosk.
Visitors may be required to show photo identification upon entry, and all vehicles are subject to search by the State Police.
V-Lot is located beneath the Empire State Plaza and accessed through I-787 Empire State Plaza exit. Exit using the I-787 ramp to the Empire State Plaza, and proceed along the traffic loop under the Plaza and bear right for V Lot (P-3).
The V-lot elevators are located right near the convention center entrance. The elevators upstairs are circled in red on the convention center map below.
Livestreaming: The ceremony will also be streamed live on our RCS Youtube channel. The link will be shared with families later this week.
Student Arrival, Meeting Rooms, and Gowns:
Upon arrival at 5:00 p.m., students need to check-in outside of the meeting rooms.
The Meeting Rooms are near the center of the convention center map below, and Meeting Room 1 has a red “X” and arrow pointing at it. Students will check-in as the enter the meeting rooms from the Concourse.
Graduates need to arrive in their caps and gowns. Keep an eye on your tassel – wrap it around the button on the top of your cap a couple of times or it will fall off and disappear on your way to the Convention Center.
There are restrooms near the Meeting Rooms, staff will direct students.
Spectator Arrival:
Families and guests, please report to the Convention Hall, noted in green, circled in blue at the bottom of the convention center map, doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
The elevators to and from the Visitor Parking are circled in red.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for general admission, and seating is first-come, first-serve.
Tickets are not required, and there is no limit to the number of attendees.
For handicap-accessible seating, please travel from the Concourse down the hallway that passes Meeting Room 1 (the read arrow). Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. for handicapped guests and one additional person will be allowed in with that individual. An individual from the convention center will meet families there to assist in getting them seated.
Photos: The District will have someone taking photos of the general event, those will be available within a few days. Additionally, someone will be taking photos of the students after they cross the stage, those will be available within the two weeks following graduation. Families and spectators are not allowed to take photos from the floor of the convention center or the stairs leading up to stage.
Diplomas: After students cross and exit the stage, they will be met by their guidance counselor. The guidance counselor will give them a packet with their diplomas, a copy of the program, and other certificates.
After the Ceremony: At the conclusion of our ceremony, families and students will meet up outside of the Convention Center.
Click here to enlarge map of Empire State Plaza.
Click here to enlarge road map for parking.