High school graduation is undoubtedly one of the most exciting milestones in a young person’s life. Ideally, the event brings pride, accomplishment, happy memories, family gatherings and lots of celebration. Some would say this moment is priceless. So, how do you put a price tag on family memories? Apparently by selling VIP graduation packages and transforming graduation into a fundraising event.
Offering VIP packages is not inherently problematic. The trouble, however, lies in the fact that the VIP packages carry huge prices that vary dramatically from what is offered by AHS, turning this once-in-a-lifetime event into what is first and foremost a fundraiser. While fundraising is a practical necessity, this level of philanthropy, at graduation, is entirely inappropriate in that it is capitalizing on the logistics of attending a landmark family event.
Specifically, two VIP packages are being offered by the PFC for the 2024 CHS graduation. The packages sell at two price points: $1,200 and $2,200 if purchased before Mar. 15. Each package increases by $200 if purchased between Mar. 16 and May 1, 2024, based on availability. The VIP packages include either four VIP seats and one VIP parking space or eight VIP seats and two VIP parking spaces.
Both LVUSD high schools, AHS and CHS (via the PFC), offer graduation packages for sale. That said, the dramatic differences in cost and logistics may be surprising to many LVUSD students and families. In 2023, CHS’ VIP packages were sold at about $50 more than 2024’s at $1,250 for four VIP seats and one reserved parking space and $2,250 for eight VIP seats and two reserved parking spots whereas AHS’ most expensive graduation ticket last year was $80, with reserved parking costing $25.
Absent purchasing a VIP package at CHS, each senior, provided they complete the Senior Survey before May 17, 2024, receives 4 free graduation tickets. These tickets do not include parking. For the 2023 graduation, CHS offered parking for $150 per space with a decrease in price to $75 just days before graduation. Last year it was also noted that senior parking spaces were no longer assigned to seniors and they were not entitled to park in their spots on graduation day, as the school year ended. The only free option was parking at A.C. Stelle with shuttle service to CHS, lest someone want to take their chances parking on the street, both of which would be something guests with mobility restrictions would likely want to avoid.
No official decision has been made regarding on or off-site parking for the 2024 graduation. However, in an interview with the Courier, Assistant Principal of Student Services Miriam Worth indicated that the prices would likely be $75 or lower for on-site parking with the option of free off-site parking and shuttle as well as extra accessible parking spaces in the staff lot.
There is no reason CHS graduation tickets and parking should carry exorbitant price tags. Graduation is two hours; by comparison, all-day preferred parking at Disneyland is $55 with Universal Studios’ Front Gate parking being $70.
Notwithstanding the inexplicable price differences between the LVUSD high schools’ graduation ticket options, at the very least, CHS’ parking should not be six times the price of AHS’, more than twice the price of Universal Studios’ Front Gate, and nearly three times the price of preferred parking at Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth.
Even at the reduced $75 price tag, CHS parking is still significantly more expensive than AHS. This price difference could be due to a greater number of on-site parking spaces at AHS by comparison to CHS, however, this is a distinction without a difference and does not provide a rational basis for CHS, at a minimum, charging three times the price of AHS for on-site parking.
With respect to graduation tickets: CHS’ VIP tickets are sold in packages of four and eight with no further information; whereas AHS sells individual VIP tickets based on a seating map at various price points ranging from $40-$80 per ticket, with the most expensive being hundreds of dollars less per ticket than CHS. While both CHS and AHS sell general admission tickets for $20, the egregious distinctions lie between the package and parking prices, with the VIP packages being sold by the PFC under the banner of charitable donations.
Graduation is a family event, one that is certain to host everyone from young children to grandparents all of whom are essentially forced to pay ridiculous prices for VIP packages or face the uncertainty of whatever seats and parking spaces may be left to cut the uphill walk on a June day. To get an optimum seat at CHS, the number of which, unlike at AHS, is unclear from the PFC’s marketing, families are being asked to pay hundreds of dollars per VIP ticket, a value so obscene that it is an exploitation of the family moment and the incredible milestone that is high school graduation.
Active participation in senior year at CHS is already quite costly. First, there is parking in the senior lot, then a yearbook, homecoming, senior activities, prom, grad night, graduation and class of 2024 merch, just to name some of the larger expenses, not to mention college applications. Anyone participating in only a few of these is sure to spend hundreds of dollars minimum, with a prom ticket alone costing $135 without ASB.
It has yet to be announced what 2024 graduation prices and packages will be, save the unconscionable prices of the VIP packages sold by the PFC. While it seems that the parking prices and options at CHS will be similar to last year, one can only hope that CHS will reevaluate and provide more reasonable parking and seating cost options consistent with AHS. Graduation should be a celebration—not a cash grab.
