8th Grade Activities
Class of 2026
Welcome to the Class of 2026! We will use this site to share resources and keep you up-to-date with information from now until graduation.
Community Service
It is BRAVE to Give!
DPM 8th grade students perform community service as part of their graduation activities. The Class of 2026 has the goal of collectively contributing 2026 hours/acts of service to our community before graduation, providing the opportunity for students to gain an appreciation for civic engagement, their community, and develop a love of volunteering.
- We encourage all 8th graders to perform 6 hours/acts of service throughout the year.
- The APT Community Service Committee will be partnering with us to provide opportunities throughout the school year for students to engage in service activities.
- Students should log their service hours using the DPM Community Service Form which can be found with additional information on the Community Service page under the Student Activities tab of the Deer Path website.
- Save the date for our 8th Grade Service Recognition Breakfast on May 21, 2026 at 7:30am in the DPM Cafeteria. Students who log 6 hours/acts or more will be invited to attend the ceremony with their families to be recognized for their contributions to the community.
Special End-of-Year Activities
Special End-of-Year Activities
8th Grade Class Picture
Monday, April 13, 2026 at 8:35 am
DPM Back Patio
It is a Deer Path tradition to take an 8th grade class photo in the Spring to commemorate the students' time together in middle school. Mark it on your calendar so you can make sure your student is present so we can capture everyone from the Class of 2026!
8th Grade Honors and Awards Assembly
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 9:15 am
DPM Auditorium
This special ceremony recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, exceptional leadership, and dedicated service throughout their middle school career. We will honor recipients of subject specific awards, academic excellence distinctions, and community recognition. Families of recipients will be contacted in advance of the event so they can plan to attend the assembly to celebrate their student.
An Adventure Uptown
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Market Square
Downtown Lake Forest
8th grade students and teachers will walk uptown in groups to get lunch, do some shopping, and laugh together as the Class of 2026. Students will bring their own money to make purchases during this time.
Field Trip to Launch
Friday, May 29, 2026
Launch Trampoline Park
880 Lakeside Dr, Gurnee IL
Launch offers a wide variety of activities for the 8th graders to enjoy including trampolines, bowling, an arcade, and others. Transportation will be provided by Olson buses to and from the location.
8th Grade Celebration - Hosted by the APT
Friday, May 29, 2026
The Farm System
921 Sherwood Dr in Lake Bluff
On Friday, May 29th, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm, the APT's 8th Grade Committee will host a pre-graduation celebration for everyone in the 8th-grade class at The Farm at 921 Sherwood Dr in Lake Bluff (next to Lake Forest Pediatrics). The theme and attire for the event will be shared once the final details are confirmed.
Logistics:
- A signed permission form must be returned for your student to attend.
- A parent/guardian must drop-off and pick-up. Students are not allowed to ride their bikes or walk.
- We will also be collecting cell phones from the kids. They will be collected at check-in, labeled, and tucked away for the duration of the celebration and returned at the end of the evening.
- We will have photographers on hand to capture pictures of the students that will be posted to a shared drive after the event and sent out.
8th Grade Graduation
Ceremony Information
Monday, June 1, 2026 from 5:00-6:00 pm
Lake Forest High School West Campus
300 S. Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest
- Admission: Doors will open at 4:00 pm with general admission seating. There are NO tickets and NO limit on the number of guests attending. Guests will enter through the door with the blue awning.
- Photography: VIP will be taking a photo of each graduate as they receive their diploma. Photos will be available for purchase on the VIP website approximately 1-2 weeks after graduation.
- Diplomas: The name on each graduate's diploma will match the full name of your student in PowerSchool that was submitted during registration. During the ceremony, the reader will use the student's preferred name.
- Recommended Attire:
- Boys: sport coat, collared shirt with tie, dress slacks, dress shoes. (We have a collection of generously donated blue blazers of various sizes, please email 7/8 Admin Assistant, Linda Crowe if you wish to borrow one for the event)
- Girls: semi-formal dress/skirt of appropriate length, or pants suit. (Tradition is for an all-white outfit, but it is by no means required)
- Can't Make It?: If you know your student will not be attending the graduation ceremony, please email our 7/8 Admin Assistant, Linda Crowe. Students who do not attend the ceremony can pick up their diplomas in the DPM West main office following graduation
LFHS 101
There are a lot of questions families have when starting high school. Brought to you by LFHS Principal Dr. Erin Lenart, the District 67 APT and the District 65 PTO, LFHS 101 is an opportunity for the parents and guardians of incoming freshmen to hear directly from our LFHS administrators and department heads.
- Meet LFHS Principal Dr. Erin Lenart and Associate Principal Dr. Patrick Sassen and their team.
- Program will include brief presentations.
- Learn about curriculum, academic expectations, and the resources available for LFHS students and their families.
- Time will be provided for questions and answers.
Date: March 2, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Board Room, LFHS West Campus 300 S. Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, 60045
