Mira Costa High School Finalizing Graduation Plans

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —Mira Costa High School is in its final stages of a safe graduation plan that reflects the latest health guidelines, Principal Ben Dale wrote in an email to parents on Friday.

"After consulting with the district, and a discussion with the board, we feel confident in our plan, given the current guidelines," Dale said in a statement. "If and when those county and state guidelines change, we will adjust."

According to Dale, the plans are for a traditional ceremony to be held June 17 on Cooper Field at Waller Stadium for all 632 graduates.

The program will begin and end with an appropriately spaced processional and recessional in and out of the stadium. In addition, the school will Livestream the event using multiple cameras. Access to the Livestream will be free.

For friends and family in the stands, a section will be available to everyone over the age of 15 who is fully vaccinated. Children between the ages of 2-15 may also sit in the vaccinated areas if they present a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event. Kids under the age of two, accompanied by adults, are also permitted in the section. The school will be delegating seating in six-foot sections that allow for four spectators per graduate.

Incorporating the vaccinated seating will enable the school to maximize space up to the 67% capacity allowable, Dale said.

Mira Costa will make a waiting list available if there is additional space for unvaccinated spectators. But if you have not been vaccinated and want to guarantee a space at the event, you will need to at least have the first dose by May 12.

The school will be sending out an RSVP via a Google form to begin organizing the spectator list for families. As the responses are gathered, the staff will reply to each family with assigned seating for four guests per graduate

"Much work and coordination will be needed to have a successful event, but I have every confidence we can do this together," Dale wrote. "I look forward with much anticipation to seeing all of our graduates together on Cooper Field."