CLASS OF 2025
Keep up to date on Senior activities during the 2024-25 school year!
If you have any questions about graduation, please contact Starr Gray, Director of Student Activities.
Commencement
May 31, 2025, 9:00 - 11:00am (graduates arrive 8:15am)
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We are excited to welcome graduates and their families to campus for this year's commencement!
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Each graduate will receive 10 tickets for their family and friends.
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To accommodate the 3,000+ attendees arriving at campus, seven reserved seats will be on the Lower Field. The three additional tickets will be for open seating in the bleachers. Tickets will be distributed at graduation rehearsal May 28.​
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Each graduate will be given ONE parking ticket per family. Seniors will receive their parking pass at graduation rehearsal. For guests not arriving in the one car allowed on campus, consider taking ride shares or using the O'Dowd shuttles from two nearby locations (more information to come).
College Counseling Reminders
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If you have not already done so, complete your FAFSA as soon as possible!
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Continue to check emails and portals for any communication from colleges.
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Let your counselor know ASAP if a UC or CSU asks for a midyear transcript.
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Be on the look out for financial aid packages from multiple schools.
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Counselors are available to review college acceptances and financial aid packages.
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Discernment meetings are available upon request.
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Update Naviance with your college decisions.
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Don't forget - your spring semester grades still count towards college admissions!
Caps, Gowns, & Announcements
We use Achievers for caps, gowns, and announcements. O’Dowd covers the cost of the cap, gown, and tassel.
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Go to graduationorder.com to order your cap, gown, and tassel.
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Click on “Shop Your School’s Store” and choose Bishop O’Dowd. Use the code bod510.
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Select "Browse Products" and then choose "Cap/Gown Unit & Graduation Day Accessories" from the left side menu.
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Select "Cap and Gown Unit (school pickup)" and fill in student's height and weight
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Proceed to Checkout and fill out "Student Information and Billing Details." You will not be charged.
Graduation announcements are a separate cost and can be purchased from Achievers or elsewhere. Contact Luz Garcia at Achievers or call 408-441-7200. Order by March 17.
Senior Class Gift
Join us in honoring and celebrating O’Dowd teachers!
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The Senior Class Gift supports the Fund for Faculty Excellence, which provides professional development and assists in continuing to recruit and retain talented teachers.
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Please help us make the most of a $50,000 match from a group of senior parents and grandparents committed to appreciating and supporting the faculty. Your gift will be doubled! Our goal is 100% participation from senior families, and we are excited to share that, with the match, we have raised more than $76,000 so far! Thanks to all who have participated.
Senior Class Meeting & Behavior Contract
Each spring, our deans hold a Senior Class Meeting to review behavior, attendance, and academic expectations ahead of our seniors' last few months at O'Dowd. After the meeting, students and their parents/guardians will receive an email with the Senior Contract. This year, the Senior Class Meeting will be on April 2 during club/office hours. Senior Contracts are due April 28. Thank you for your partnership!
Senior Ball
May 16, 2025, 6:00 - 10:00pm
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Save the Date! This year's Senior Ball will take place at Scott's Pavilion in Jack London Square. The evening will include dinner and dancing.​
Senior Sunset and BBQ
May 21, 2025, 6:00 - 8:15pm
Celebrate the sun setting on your senior year at O'Dowd with your class. Come enjoy food, music and each other on the CES Patio. Bring your yearbooks and pens!​
Grad Nite
May 22 - 23, 2025.
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Magic Mountain, More info to come.
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Graduation Rehearsal
Information to come.
Baccalaureate Mass
All graduates and their families are invited to the Baccalaureate Mass on May 30, 2025, 5:00 - 6:30pm.
Past Events
Senior Ads
Celebrate your senior's graduation by purchasing a senior ad in the O'Dowd yearbook! Senior ads are an optional way to commemorate your child's high school experience in the yearbook and they help defray the cost of the publication so that everyone on campus can get a yearbook for free!
On sale until January 13, 2025. Space is Limited.
Design and pay online at yearbookforever.com​
Senior Sunrise
October 30, 2024, 7:15 - 8:30am
Sunrise is at 7:33am
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Grab a warm sweater, and a sleeping bag or blanket and head to our Lower Field on Wednesday, October 30 for one of our special traditions: Senior Sunrise!
Senior-Parent/Guardian Mass
October 10, 2024, 6:00 - 7:30pm, Knauss Family Gymnasium.
This special Mass was a beautiful celebration honoring our seniors' final year at O'Dowd, and for some, their final year at home. Photos here.
Mark Your Calendars
October 2024
10 Senior Parent-Guardian Mass
30 Senior Sunrise
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November
6 Senior Portrait makeups/retakes. Sign Up
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January 2025
13 Senior Ad Deadline
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February
24 Confirm Diploma Name (email will be sent to Seniors)
March
3 FAFSA Priority Deadline
17 Submit Gown Size Through Achievers Website
April
2 Senior Class Meeting
28 Senior Contract due to Ms. Donahue
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May
7 Senior Award Ceremony (6:30 - 7:30pm)
tbd Supporting Your 12th Grader's Transition to College
16 Senior Ball (6:00 - 10:00pm)
21 Senior Sunset & BBQ (6:00 - 8:15pm)
22-23 Grad Nite
28 Graduation Rehearsal (1:30 - 3:15pm)
30 Baccalaureate Mass (5:00 - 6:30pm)
31 Commencement Ceremony, Lower Field at 9:00am (graduates arrive 8:15am)
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June
16 Diplomas Available in Main Office
tbd Complete the Alumni Exit Survey