How did Grad Nite get started?
What happens at Grad Nite?
Why have Grad Nite?
What does the event cost?
Who organizes and creates Grad Nite?

How did Grad Nite get started?
In 1989, a group of Poway High parents organized the first Grad Nite on campus. Previously the graduating seniors were bussed to Disneyland, but it didn’t offer the promise of a safe, drug- and alcohol-free event, nor the ability for the graduates to spend their last high school memories together as a group. Since then, each year PHS has held Grad Nite on campus. It is our gift to the senior class from the parents, the school, and our community and an important tradition for our school. Typically, 85% of the seniors attend Grad Nite. A lot of effort is made to make it the biggest party of the year; one that they don’t want to miss!

What happens at Grad Nite?
Grad Nite takes place after graduation, beginning at 9:00 pm and lasting till 5:00 am the following morning. The gym and surrounding areas are transformed into a magical setting depicting the theme. The ticket price admits the graduate to a one-of-a-kind extravaganza of hired entertainment (stage show – illusionist, large inflatable games, face painting, laser tag, caricaturists, handwriting analysts and fortune telling, Karaoke, Souvenir Photos, DJ and dancing, professional hair stylists) carnival games, a casino with blackjack, craps, roulette, amazing prizes, and food and beverages throughout the evening. No other money is needed. Only PHS graduates may attend and they are required to stay the entire evening unless checked out by a parent/guardian. Professional security will pat-down each student as they enter and all belongings will be stored in a check-in closet. Please encourage your senior to attend by holding your family celebrations earlier in the day of graduation or after graduation day. All parents whose students who have purchased tickets and have not shown up by 10 p.m. are called, to insure that parents know they aren’t at Grad Nite and hopefully can be tracked down. We encourage parents to arrange carpools with your neighbors and friends for picking up students at 5 am. If working the 2nd shift, students can go home with you! They’ll be very tired and will be safer being driven home.

Why have Grad Nite?
Grad Nite offers graduates a safe place to celebrate with their friends before they go their separate ways with no drugs, no alcohol, and no tragedy. The California Highway Patrol reports this night, more than any other night of the school year attributes to more deaths and injuries of high school students from drunk driving. Since Grad Nites have become popular, there has been a significant decline in the death toll during the weeks of graduation.

What does the event cost?
Traditionally, we have worked from a $50,000 budget to produce Grad Nite. More than half the funds are raised by ticket sales (approx. $55 – $75), but the rest of the budget is made up from fundraising and donations from community businesses and parents. Our goal is to have every graduate attend and we offer scholarships to those who could not attend otherwise. We are a non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.

Who organizes and creates Grad Nite?
Grad Nite is a committee of PTSA and as such is a PTSA-sponsored event and supported by PHS Administration and Staff, community businesses and the City of Poway. The Grad Nite Chair and Financial Secretary are elected positions on the PTSA Board and Committee Chairs are chosen from the volunteer interest forms distributed during Registration each year. Planning an event this size requires many, many volunteer hours – but when broken down into committees, it’s not only manageable, but fun as well. If you’d like to work the night of Grad Nite, you get first choice where to work if you’re on a committee. There are 2 shifts. 1st shift is 8:30 pm – 1 am. 2nd shift is 12:30 am – 5 am. Working on a committee gives parents a chance to get to know other parents and it’s a great bonding experience as we all share in this final event of high school. Parents, please consider joining in the planning of Grad Nite at some level. There are many ways to help. the many ways that you can help.