Figuring out what to include on a graduation announcement should be simple, but it has a way of turning normal people into overthinking machines. Suddenly you are debating commas, school names, and whether “with distinction” sounds proud or just slightly too proud.
The good news is that a graduation announcement does not need much. Its job is to share the achievement clearly, gracefully, and without reading like a résumé taped to fancy paper.
Start With the Core Information
At minimum, what to include on a graduation announcement is pretty straightforward:
The graduate’s full name
The name of the school
The degree, diploma, or program completed
The graduation year
Those four details do most of the work. If they are clear, the announcement already succeeds.
Example:
Emma Grace Porter
Graduated From Westlake High School
Class of 2026
Or:
Daniel Reyes
Graduated From the University of Utah
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Class of 2026
That is enough for a simple, polished announcement.
Add Honors Only If They Matter
You can include honors, distinctions, or major achievements if they are meaningful and easy to understand.
Examples:
Magna Cum Laude
With Honors
Valedictorian
Associate Degree in Nursing
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
This is one of those places where restraint helps. One or two strong details feel elegant. A long block of awards can start to feel crowded fast.
Include a Photo if You Want, Not Because You Have To
A photo is common, but it is optional.
Many graduation announcements use a senior portrait, cap-and-gown photo, or a favorite candid image. Photo announcements feel personal and warm. Non-photo announcements feel more formal and timeless. Neither choice is wrong.
If you do include a photo, make sure it actually looks like the graduate now. This sounds obvious, yet every spring somebody is tempted to use a picture from sophomore year because the lighting was better. Resist.
Say What Happens Next if You Want
A short future-plans line can work well, especially for high school or college graduates.
Examples:
She Will Attend Colorado State University This Fall
He Will Begin His Career in Occupational Therapy
She Will Continue Her Studies in Graduate School
This part is optional. If future plans are still changing, skip it. Nobody needs to lock in a life announcement before the graduate has even found their tassel.
Keep the Wording Simple
When people ask what to include on a graduation announcement, they usually worry most about wording. But announcement wording is often best when it is short and direct.
A few common examples:
Together With Their Family, Olivia Chen Announces Her Graduation From Brighton High School, Class of 2026
With Great Joy, the Family of Marcus Hill Announces His Graduation From Arizona State University With a Bachelor of Arts in English
Proudly Announcing the Graduation of Sofia Martinez From Eastview High School, Class of 2026
You do not need to force formality if it does not fit your family. Straightforward wording often sounds better than language trying very hard to sound ceremonial.
Do Not Accidentally Turn It Into an Invitation
This matters more than people expect.
A graduation announcement is not the place for event details unless you are intentionally combining it with an invitation. If you add party information, date, time, venue, and RSVP language, recipients may assume they are invited.
If you are hosting a party, keep things clean:
Use a separate invitation
Or include a separate enclosure card for invited guests
That keeps the announcement focused on the achievement and prevents misunderstandings. Which is nice, because nobody wants an awkward text asking what side dish to bring to a party they were not actually invited to.
Optional Details That Can Work Well
Beyond the basics, what to include on a graduation announcement can also depend on your style. A few extras can work if they fit the layout:
A short thank-you or gratitude line
A favorite quote
School colors
A monogram or crest
A return address on the envelope
A clean back-of-card detail line with future plans or a photo caption
These should support the announcement, not take over. If the card starts feeling busy, trim first and decorate second.
What You Usually Do Not Need
Most announcements do not need:
A full biography
Long paragraphs
Registry information
Gift language
RSVP details
Detailed party directions
Social media handles
There is a difference between informative and overloaded. Graduation announcements should land on informative.
A Simple Graduation Announcement Formula
If you want an easy fill-in structure, use this:
[Graduate’s Name]
Announces [His/Her/Their] Graduation From [School Name]
[Degree, Diploma, or Program]
Class of [Year]
Optional final line:
[Future Plans or Honors]
That formula works for high school, college, grad school, technical programs, and most other milestones.
Sample Wording
Proudly Announcing the Graduation of
Ava Thompson
From Lincoln High School
Class of 2026
She Will Attend the University of Oregon This Fall
Or:
The Family of Jordan Patel
Joyfully Announces His Graduation From
Brigham Young University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Class of 2026
Short. Clear. Done. No one has to decode it.
Final Thoughts
If you are stuck on what to include on a graduation announcement, start with the milestone itself. Name, school, degree or program, year. Then add only what genuinely improves the card.
That is usually the sweet spot. Enough detail to feel meaningful, not so much that the announcement turns into a tiny autobiography.