Commencement Week

Class of 2026 group photo

Commencement Week Schedule

Monday, May 18

7–9 p.m. Class of 2026 Dinner (Seniors & PGs only)

Caspersen Campus Center Dining Hall

Wednesday, May 20

Class of 2026 Trip

Beach

Thursday, May 21

Junior-Senior Prom

3–5 p.m. Pre-Prom Reception

(Families and friends welcome). Photo opportunities and light refreshments (sponsored by the PPA).
Center Campus

6–10 p.m. Prom

All students must take Peddie transportation to and from the venue. Juniors, seniors or PGs departing campus after the Prom must leave with a designated adult.

11:30 p.m. Post-Prom pick-up

Parents will receive details on pick-up via email. No day or boarding student may drive themselves from campus after prom.
The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Science Center

Friday, May 22

No classes for juniors, seniors and PGs

Please Note: This is an on-campus weekend. All boarding students (including graduates) are expected to remain overnight in their dorms this weekend.

5 p.m.

Juniors, seniors and PG boarders must return to campus.

7–9 p.m. Class of 2026 Senior Sunset and BBQ

(Seniors and PGs only)
Lakeside Patio Tent

Saturday, May 23

Baccalaureate

No tickets are required and there is no limit on the number of guests a graduate may invite.

11 a.m. Moving Up Chapel

Required attendance for all students; students and employees only.
Ayer Memorial Chapel

11:30 a.m. Commencement Rehearsal and Lunch

Attendance required for seniors and PGs (immediately following Moving Up Chapel).
Ayer Memorial Chapel

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. International Family Lunch

Swetland House

4:30 p.m. Baccalaureate Dinner

Senior and PG parents/guardians only.
Caspersen Campus Center Dining Hall

5 p.m. Students’ Cookout

Siblings welcome.
Center Campus 

6:50 p.m. Academic Procession

Annenberg Hall

7 p.m. Baccalaureate Service

Required attendance for seniors and PGs.
Center Campus Tent
Livestream

8 p.m. Post Baccalaureate Carnival

Press box

*This is an on-campus evening; all boarding students in grades 9–12 and PGs are expected to stay on campus.

Sunday, May 24

Commencement

No tickets are required and there is no limit on the number of guests a graduate may invite.

7:30 a.m. Breakfast

For graduates, guests and students.
Caspersen Campus Center Dining Hall

8 a.m.

Photographers available for family and individual photos.
Center Campus 

9 a.m. Class of 2026 Picture/Planting of the Ivy

Annenberg Hall steps

10:15 a.m. Academic Procession

Graduates and faculty line up outside.

10:30 a.m. Commencement

Required attendance for all students.
Center Campus Tent
Livestream

12 p.m. Lunch

All are welcome.
Caspersen Campus Center Dining Hall

*All boarding seniors and PGs must be moved out of their dorms by 5 p.m.

Parking for Commencement is at the Ian H. Graham ’50 Athletic Center entrance off Etra Road (155 Etra Rd, Hightstown, NJ 08520); shuttle buses to Center Campus will be available.

Passengers may be dropped off through the main entrance off Ward Street before proceeding to Athletic Center parking.

Capture the moment!

Photos

Highpoint’s professional photographers will be available outside of the tent, starting at 8 a.m., before and after the ceremony to take family and individual photos (no advance scheduling required). They will be taking candid and formal photos (including diploma photos) before, during and after the Commencement ceremony. These photos will be available for purchase through Highpoint Pictures. Families of seniors will receive an email with instructions on how to order Highpoint photos.

Candid photos taken during the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies will be posted to Peddie’s Flickr album following these ceremonies, where they can be shared and downloaded free of charge.

graduating students throwing their caps in the air

Congrats, grads!

Visit The Peddie Store

The Peddie Store in the Caspersen Campus Center will be open from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, for last-minute gift shopping. Come to shop, or just stop in and say goodbye. We’re going to miss you!

Shop now

Hotel Information

We have reserved a block of rooms at the following local hotels. Please note the cut-off dates for reservations.

Hampton Inn
384 Monmouth Street
East Windsor, NJ 08520
609-426-1600
Distance from campus: 1.2 miles
Commencement 2026 Reservation Page
Group rate expiration date: April 21, 2026

Marriott Residence Inn
2662 Route 130
Cranbury, NJ 08512
609-395-9447
Distance from campus: 3.9 miles
Commencement 2026 Reservation Page
Group rate expiration date: April 21, 2026

Holiday Inn
399 Monmouth Street
East Windsor, NJ 08520
609-448-7000
Distance from campus: 1.3 miles
Commencement 2026 Reservation Page
Group rate expiration date: April 21, 2026
Group Code: PGW       

TownePlace Suites by Marriott
2535 US Hwy 130
Cranbury, NJ 08512
609-655-4005
Distance from campus: 5.7 miles
Commencement 2026 Reservation Page
Group rate expiration date: April 22, 2026