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2026 Commencement + Banquet Updates

A. Getting Prepared for Commencement

  • Commencement Ceremony
  • Student and guest tickets
  • Caps, Gowns and Name Cards
  • Honor Regalia

B. Day of Ceremony

  • Parking
  • Schedule
  • Photography
  • Accessibility
  • Create a Legacy

C. Banquet

  • Student and Guest Tickets (RSVP required)

D. After the Ceremony

  • Requesting transcripts and verifications
  • Diploma arrival

A. GETTING PREPARED FOR COMMENCEMENT

Commencement Ceremony

New World School of the Arts will host its commencement ceremony on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 2:00pm in the afternoon at:

New World Symphony
500 17th Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Student and Guest Tickets

Up to seven (7) guests will be allowed per graduate. At this time, physical tickets do not need to be provided to guests. Should the venue change this request, we will follow up with more information.

Guests and graduates will be seated in separate areas. To ensure space for all, seats will not be reserved for late guests and graduates.

Caps, Gowns and Name Cards

To retrieve your cap and gown, present your picture ID in Room 5605 during the dates and times below:

  • Monday, April 13: 9:00am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4:45pm
  • Tuesday, April 14: 10:00am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4:45pm
  • Wednesday, April 15: 9:00am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4:45pm

There is no fee for the cap and gown; the items are yours to keep. You may decorate your cap. However, if you wish to donate the gown back to New World, you may bring it to Room 5605 sometime after the ceremony.

Your name card will accompany your cap and gown. It will be used to announce your name as you cross the stage. If you previously provided a phonetic pronunciation of your name, it will be on your name card so that the announcer can be as accurate as possible when announcing your name. Blank name cards will be available the day of the ceremony in case you misplace your card.

Honor Regalia

Gold honor cords will be available for pick up with your cap & gown. You must provide a picture ID to retrieve the items.

Honor students will receive the following regalia free of charge:

  • 3.40 - 3.74 GPA, One (1) Gold Honor Tassel
  • 3.75 - 4.00 GPA, Two (2) Gold Honor Tassels

While supplies last, any honor student may purchase one (1) UF blue & orange cord for $15.00 USD. You may use CashApp tag $NWSASGAMIA to pay for your blue & orange cord ahead of time or the day you visit to retrieve your other regalia.

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B. DAY OF CEREMONY

Directions and Parking

You and your family should be aware of parking options before arriving. PLEASE NOTE: Beginning January 21, 2026, the City of Miami Beach parking garages will no longer accept cash as payment. They recommend paying with credit card or by phone using the Parkmobile payment app.

17th Street Garage
City of Miami Beach Owned-and-Operated Garage
Fee: $15 Event Parking
1755 Meridian Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139 (located on 17th between Meridian and Pennsylvania)

Upon entering the garage, take a ticket from the automated attendant. Please take your ticket with you upon exiting your vehicle. Upon returning to the garage, use an automated kiosk to pay for parking, and use validated ticket to exit the garage at automated exits. For assistance, a garage office is located at the first-floor level close to the 17th Street exit. New World Center nor New World School of the Arts will validate parking for a lower rate.

For event days: Though the garage may appear closed, with cones in front of the entrance, be sure to show the guard your tickets or, if your tickets are at will-call, tell them that you are attending the New World Symphony concert and they will allow you to park in the garage. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis and access will be granted as long as there are parking spaces left within the garage.

Pennsylvania Avenue Garage
City of Miami Beach Owned-and-Operated Garage
Fee: $15 Event Parking
1661 Pennsylvania Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139 (Located between Pennsylvania Avenue and the New World Center; entrance to garage is located on Lincoln Lane, off Pennsylvania Ave.)

Upon entering the garage, take a ticket from the automated attendant. Please take your ticket with you upon exiting your vehicle. Upon returning to the garage, use an automated kiosk to pay for parking, and use validated ticket to exit garage at automated exits. For your convenience, a pedestrian bridge to the New World Center is located on the third level. A garage office is located on the first-floor level for assistance. New World Center nor New World School of the Arts will validate parking for a lower rate.

Commencement Schedule

12:00 p.m. STUDENT ARRIVAL: Students arrive to New World Center to begin robing, settling in, and preparing to line up for theater entry. Please bring just your essentials such as a small bag, your cap & gown, honor regalia, and name card. Only faculty, staff and graduates will be allowed in at this time.

1:00 p.m. LOBBY OPENS: Guests may arrive.

2:00 p.m. COMMENCEMENT BEGINS: Students will be seated by division. Each guest and graduate will be provided with a program booklet for the ceremony. Purses, handbags, or other photographic equipment should not be carried on stage and therefore large items should be left at your seat or with your guests.

Photography

Professional photographers will photograph all graduates. As we move closer to the ceremony, you will be provided with a link to a website to access photos from the ceremony and banquet. The ceremony will not be livestreamed.

During the ceremony, students will quickly take a cap & gown photo when exiting the stage. It is important that you take a quick photo and return to your seat to avoid ceremony hold-ups and disruptions.

Accessibility

New World Symphony is ADA compliant. If you or your guests require additional accommodations to participate in the ceremony, please contact the Director of Student Services by Friday, April 10, 2026 at natkins@mdc.edu. We will do our best to make accommodations, if needed.

Create a legacy

Share your stories, memories, and photos of graduation on social media using #nwsacollegeclassof2026 at the graduation and banquet.

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C. BANQUET

Our graduates will be treated to a prix-fixe meal following the commencement ceremony at 6:00pm on April 27, 2026:

The Rusty Pelican
3201 Rickenbacker Causeway
Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Graduates may visit SquadUp to confirm attendance at the banquet. Graduates will be allowed a maximum of four free tickets: one (1) for the graduate, and two (2) guests, free of charge. You may choose either a meat or vegetarian option for you and your guests on SquadUp as this will help us provide an estimated cuisine type. The Rusty Pelican will still ask your preference the day of the event.

Deadline to RSVP is 11:59pm on Sunday, April 19th.

If you would like to purchase additional tickets, graduates may visit SquadUp to purchase the "Paid Guest" ticket for $50.00. Taxes & fees are additional. Additional tickets are limited.

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D. AFTER THE CEREMONY

How to request your University of Florida transcript and/or request employer degree verification

Graduates may visit the Transcripts page on the University of Florida (UF) website to order transcripts at any time. We recommend waiting about 8 – 10 weeks post-completion to give UF time to update your final records. You may access your unofficial transcript in the university portal: One.UF. You must have an active GatorLink account to order an official transcript. New World School of the Arts is unable to request transcripts on your behalf.

Enrollment and employer verifications are requested via the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), as the NSC is the official provider of enrollment and degree certifications for the University of Florida.

How to request your Miami Dade College transcript and/or request employee degree verification

Students may visit the Official Transcripts page on the Miami Dade College (MDC) website to order transcripts at any time. Please thoroughly review the page to determine the options available to you. New World School of the Arts is unable to request transcripts on your behalf.

Enrollment and employer verifications are requested via the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).

When to expect your diploma from University of Florida

The Office of the University Registrar mails diplomas approximately twelve (12) weeks after graduation to the address entered on a student’s degree application. Certified Electronic Diplomas (CeDiploma) are also available for an additional charge. More information is available via the Ordering a Diploma page.

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