Student Life » Seniors

Seniors

Photo of auditorium at Centennial Memorial Hall Photo of the lake at Pocono Valley.
Graduation Ceremony at Centennial Memorial Hall. NEST+m Prom at Giando's On The Water in Williamsburg, Brooklyn NEST+m Senior Trip to Pocono Valley
 
Dear Class of 2026 Students and Families,

We are off to a great school year! As we make plans for your Senior Experiences--Commencement, Prom, and Senior Trip--we would like you to have as much information as possible. Please carefully review the following information about your senior events this year.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

The Graduation Commencement for the NEST+m Class of 2026 will take place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at Centennial Memorial Temple located at 120 West 14th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues.

  • All students will be expected to arrive by 9:00 am.
  • Doors for families will open around 9:15 am and the ceremony will start at 10:00 am.  
  • Tickets will be given to students at the June 16th graduation rehearsal.

 

Tickets to Graduation Ceremony:

  • ALL FAMILIES should fill out this ticket request form before June 5th.
  • Your graduating senior does NOT need a ticket. Each senior student will receive 4 FREE tickets to distribute to family members as needed -- if you do NOT fill the out, your family will automatically get 4 tickets. 
  • Up to 4 ADDITIONAL tickets can be requested for $10.00 each
  • Please request the TOTAL number of tickets you need (not just the additional 5-8)
  • If 5-8 tickets are requested, you will be provided with the payment link once you submit the survey
  • If you fill it out twice, we will use the most recent submission and delete the first.
 
Graduation Day details:

 

 

PROM

Prom will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Giando on the Water in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a beautiful outdoor location overlooking the Williamsburg Bridge. Permission slips and behavioral contracts will be sent out in the spring semester. 
 
  • PAYMENT due by May 8, 2026. Turn in forms to Julie Longmuir in 248 
  • Table seating requests will be submitted to Mr Waldman.
  • HARD DEADLINE to be added to guest list: 
  • Day of prom the doors open at 7PM; no one will be admitted after 8PM, and all exits are final.

 

SENIOR TRIP

Our Senior Trip to Pocono Valley will take place from June 8-10, 2026. We’ve had a ton of fun there in past years, and this year should be no exception! Hiking, canoeing, archery, zip lining, arts and crafts, and capture the flag are just a few of the many activities offered (not to mention bonding with your classmates and teachers). Permission slips will be sent home in the spring semester.
 

SENIOR BREAKFAST, AWARDS & GRADUATION REHEARSAL

  • June 16, 2026, 9:00-10:30am
  • Breakfast starts at 9:00am and the awards ceremony will follow in the cafeteria (ending around 10:30).
  • Families are invited to breakfast for a small additional cost! Please RSVP by [TBD] in order for us to order enough food.
  • Students will be dismissed after the awards ceremony and must report to the graduation venue by 11:45am.
  • Rehearsal is mandatory for all graduating seniors; you will get your cap & gown after rehearsal at the venue!
  • Tickets will also be distributed to seniors on this date. Please indicate the number of tickets needed on THIS FORM by May 20th. Each senior is guaranteed 4 tickets. 

 

SENIOR SCAVENGER HUNT

  • Monday, June 15, 2026
  • Permission slips distributed in ELA class
  • Students will meet in the courtyard at 9AM for their group picture and head out with their chaperones after that
  • Students will be dismissed from Battery Park City at 2:35PM
 
 
SENIOR ICE SKATING TRIP
 
  • March 25, 2026
  • LeFrak Center Lakeside Skating Rink at Prospect Park
  • $10 per student

 

BREAKDOWN OF COSTS

Since there is a cost involved in all these activities, we hope to ease some of the burden on families by notifying you in advance and spreading out the cost throughout the year. The cost of venues, bussing, catering, etc. has skyrocketed in recent years and we are doing our best through fundraising to offset the costs to families as much as possible. Please know that we don’t want cost to be an inhibiting factor for any senior in enjoying their senior experiences. If your family is experiencing financial hardship, please contact Ms. Silva [email protected], in the Guidance Department to discuss waivers for special circumstances.
 
Your senior dues cover many costs, including:
  • Cap and Gown Package
  • Senior Shirt (designed by Senior student)
  • A portion of the Commencement Venue
  • Yearbook (DO NOT buy a yearbook separately from the PTA unless you want two books!)
  • Senior Breakfast
  • 4 Tickets for graduation
  • (complimentary sweatshirt from NEST+m PTA)
 
Please note that while the senior trip and prom are optional activities, paying senior dues is not. You will not be allowed to pay for either the Trip or Prom if you haven’t already paid for dues.

 

HOW TO PAY 

Students can bring payments to School Business Manager Julie Longmuir’s office during 7th period on any days during the payment window listed below. Payments can be cash, check, or money order made out to NEST+m; unfortunately we are unable to accept electronic payments. If you have any questions about the payment process, please contact Julie Longmuir at [email protected]
 
Expense Regular Fee Financial Assistance* Payment Window
Senior Dues (details above) $275 $150 Nov 13-21
Senior Trip $350 $250 Feb 3-13
Senior Prom (any +1 will pay full price) $225 $125 Apr 1-11
       
 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

To qualify for financial assistance, your family must submit the lunch application at myschoolapps.com
 

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Families who wish to donate more than the cost of the dues to help cover the costs for other families also have that option. If you choose to do this, please just indicate the additional donation on the check. 
 
This can be $25, $50, $100, really anything you’d like to donate to help. 
 
COMMUNITY SERVICE
 
  • Students are expected to complete 60 hours of community service during high school.
  • Guidance counselor keep track of hours earned by each student. Students earn hours by submitting Community Service forms to their Guidance Counselor.

 

SCHOOL PHOTOS & GRADUATION SLIDE SHOW

Senior school photos are taken by a professional photographer in the fall of senior year. Student sign up for a time slot, and they can request a retake if needed. 
We can’t wait to celebrate the hard-earned milestones of your final year at NEST+m!
 
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
 
DIPLOMA PICKUP
 
  • Diplomas are distributed to students on the last day of school. 
  • Students need to return all school property including textbooks, calculators, electronic devices and phone pouches in order to collect their diploma. Students will need to pay for items that they cannot return.
  • Diplomas can only be picked up by students or their parent/guardians.
  • If a student cannot pick up on the last day of school, they can come to the Main Office during school hours once school reopens in September.