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#FWPSProud: Celebrating a Year of Growth, Achievement, and Joy

#FWPSProud: Celebrating a Year of Growth, Achievement, and Joy

As the 2025-26 school year came to a close, schools across Federal Way Public Schools marked the occasion with celebrations big and small. From field days and end-of-year assemblies to promotion ceremonies, grad walks, and graduation, scholars spent the final weeks of school reflecting on their accomplishments and celebrating the memories they made along the way.

Throughout the year, scholars challenged themselves academically, discovered new interests, built meaningful relationships, and grew as learners and leaders. As summer begins, we're taking a moment to look back at some of the special traditions and celebrations that helped bring another successful school year to a close.

These are some of the End of Year Highlights Across FWPS:

Senior Grad Walks

Our graduating seniors returned to their former schools for one last walk through the halls that helped shape them as younger students cheered them on. The tradition offered graduates a chance to reflect on how far they have come while inspiring younger scholars to imagine their own future journeys. Smiles, applause, and words of encouragement filled the hallways as the Class of 2026 celebrated this full-circle moment.

 

FWHS seniors take one last walk through their former elementary school.

 
FWHS Grad Walk at Nautilus K-8

 
TJHS Grad Walk at Kilo Middle School

 
Lakota Students Display Encouraging Signs to Celebrate Seniors at the Grad Walk

 

 

Last Meetings

Thomas Jefferson held their last Leadership meeting of the school year. For seniors, it was their last time with a group of individuals they'd built bonds with over the years. Students were emotional as they reflected on memories.

A group of Leadership students pose for a photo at TJHS.

 
Two students hug in farewell at their last Leadership meeting.

 
A group of TJHS students stand in the cafeteria, singing along to a song.

 
Two students join hands to form a heart.

 

 

Senior Signing Assemblies

Before graduation, seniors gathered with classmates, staff, and families to celebrate their plans for life after high school. During Senior Signing Day events, scholars proudly shared their next steps, whether attending college, entering the workforce, joining the military, pursuing an apprenticeship, or enrolling in a technical program. These celebrations highlighted the many pathways to success and honored the hard work that helped seniors reach this milestone.

A female student wearing a graduation gown signs a senior banner.

 
A group of male seniors parade through the FWHS gym carrying a UW-Tacoma hand painted banner.

 
Truman Campus students participate in an annual tradition of placing paint handprints on the senior banner.

 
TBHS seniors carry hand painting signs that read Trade School and Apprenticeship at an assembly.

 

 

Field Days and End of Year Fun

As the school year wound down, scholars enjoyed field days, outdoor activities, school-wide celebrations, and other special events that brought school communities together. These traditions provided opportunities for fun, teamwork, and connection while creating lasting memories before summer break.

 

Transition Celebrations

Across the district, scholars celebrated important milestones as they prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. From preschoolers getting ready for kindergarten to fifth and eighth graders preparing for new schools and experiences, these celebrations recognized the growth, learning, and accomplishments achieved throughout the year. Families, staff, and classmates came together to cheer on scholars as they reflected on how far they had come and looked ahead with excitement and confidence for what comes next.

 

Last Day of School

The final day of school was filled with excitement as scholars said goodbye to classmates and teachers and welcomed the start of summer. Across the district, schools celebrated another year of learning, growth, and achievement while looking ahead to the opportunities the next school year will bring.

Green Gables kicked off celebrations with a bubble-filled kindergarten tunnel and an epic send off featuring the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder drumline, featuring paraeducator Mr. Austin!

Students form a tunnel for kindergarten students moving up to 1st grade.

 
Students enjoyed a surprise performance from the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder drumline.

 

Mark Twain finished the year by cheering on fifth graders moving up to sixth grade with a schoolwide parade and their beloved all-grade recess before heartfelt goodbyes.

A student signs another student's shirt.

 
Two students swing on bars at the playground during an all-grade recess.

 
Principal Tess Johnson smiles with a student at the bus pickup loop at dismissal.

 

The final weeks of school were a celebration of everything our scholars achieved throughout the year. Whether crossing a graduation stage, participating in a field day, or preparing for the next grade level, each celebration reflected the growth, determination, and success of our students. We are #FWPSProud of all they have accomplished and excited to see what they will achieve next.

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