Chart Your Own Course

Celebrate the Journey: High School Graduation at TOPS

High school graduation is more than just a ceremony—it’s one of the most important milestones in your student’s high school journey. It marks the end of one chapter and the exciting start of what’s next. At TOPS, a tuition-free online public school serving students across Texas, we celebrate this major academic milestone with a meaningful, in-person graduation ceremony that honors your student’s achievements.

From the first day of 9th grade to the moment they walk across the graduation stage, your student’s four-year experience is filled with opportunities to learn and grow, culminating in senior year experiences they’ll always remember.

Celebrate With Us: Watch the Graduation Video

Feel the joy, pride, and excitement of our recent senior graduation in our highlight video—featuring heartfelt moments from students, families, and staff from across Texas.

View the Graduation Photo Gallery

Take a look at the cherished school traditions and ceremonies that make graduation so memorable. Our gallery captures touching moments from recent graduation ceremonies at TOPS—from big smiles to proud walks across the stage—celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our students.

Graduation Ceremony Highlights

Graduation is a truly special moment—for both students and their families—and we make it one to remember at TOPS!

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• A joyful in-person graduation ceremony held each year in Texas
• Every graduate in attendance is proudly called by name and recognized on stage
• Students wear caps and gowns to celebrate this important academic milestone
• Families, teachers, and school leaders come together to cheer, applaud, and honor each student’s achievements

“At TOPS, we like to say ‘we click online, but we connect in person,’ and that is on full display each year at graduation and prom, where students who have gotten to know each other virtually all throughout high school get to meet in person and celebrate their accomplishments together. Learning online doesn’t mean learning alone. You form a network of lasting friendships, because you’re schooling with others who have chosen the same educational path as you, for many of the same reasons. And when you see the way our students instantly connect when they meet in person, you see the depth of the bonds they have formed.”

Kristina Nanini, executive director at TOPS* 

What to Expect in Senior Year

Senior year is a big milestone—for students and families! At TOPS, we’re here to make the final year of high school a meaningful, supportive, and exciting experience. As your child gets ready for life after graduation—whether that means college, a career, or exploring both—we’ll be with them every step of the way.

Here’s how we support our seniors:

• Personalized guidance to help them complete all graduation requirements
• Ongoing academic and emotional support
• A strong focus on college and career readiness
• Special moments to celebrate student achievements along the way

Stay on Track to Graduate

Curious about how your student will grow and succeed throughout their high school journey? These pages walk you through how we support students at TOPS—from their very first day of 9th grade to the moment they cross the graduation stage:

• How It Works: High School
• High School Academics
• Career and College Prep

Frequently Asked Questions: Graduation at Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan