OCEANSIDE — Graduation ceremonies for three Oceanside high schools will be held at the new Frontwave Arena starting next spring, thanks to a recently approved agreement between the Oceanside Unified School District and the arena.
The 2025 graduating classes from Oceanside High School, El Camino High School and Surfside Academy will celebrate their commencements in June in the new 7,500-seat arena.
Previously, Oceanside and El Camino held their graduation ceremonies in their campus stadiums, while Surfside Academy, an independent study and continuation high school, held its ceremony on a campus field.
Due to size constraints at the former locations, seniors were limited in the number of family members who could attend. The arena’s larger capacity will allow more loved ones to watch students receive their diplomas.
“It’s a top-notch facility,” said Surfside Principal Eric Frandsen about Frontwave Arena.
Frandsen expressed excitement for his students to celebrate their milestone in the new venue with more family present.
“So many students have struggled for so long to reach this milestone — they deserve this recognition,” Frandsen said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Oceanside High School Principal Skyler Garrahy said that while the OHS campus is a beautiful place for graduations, the school has long struggled with limited parking for the event, which previously forced the school to restrict the number of attendees.
Garrahy said her students will have a “college-esque experience” by holding the ceremony in the arena, which offers a larger stage, more seats, and ample parking.
“This will be beneficial for all of our families,” Garrahy said.
El Camino Principal Eileen Frazier highlighted the benefits of moving the ceremonies indoors, where air conditioning and a roof will provide comfort.
“We don’t have to worry about sitting out in the sun or taking long walkways to our graduation ceremony anymore,” she said. “I think this is a great opportunity for students and their families.”
The move to Frontwave Arena will also save the district money. Previously, the district spent nearly $76,000 to host graduations on separate campuses. Moving all three schools to the arena will cost $65,000, saving over $10,000.
Surfside Academy’s graduating class ranges between 180 and 200 students, while Oceanside High School has between 450 and 500, and El Camino High School has between 580 and 600 graduates. Garrahy noted that Oceanside High School’s enrollment has grown, with 567 students in this year’s freshman class, and she looks forward to seeing them graduate in four years.
Graduations for all three schools will continue to take place on the last day of school, as in the past. The ceremonies will be staggered throughout the day at the arena to accommodate everyone.
Frontwave Arena opens this week with the Gold Over America Tour featuring Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history with 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals
