Senior Year FAQ

The questions we hear most, with quick answers. Some are AFHS-specific, some are about the wider college application timeline. Each answer points you to the page or the official source with the full details.

Do not see your question? Email [email protected] and the senior committee will answer it, then it will probably get added here. You can also reach co-chair Christina Winter at [email protected].

Events & Traditions

What senior events happen at the start of the year?

Fri, Aug 21 - Senior Social, 11am-1pm, cafeteria ✓ complete
Sun, Aug 23 - Parking Spot Chalk Decorating, 5-7pm ✓ complete
Mon, Aug 24 - Senior Parade + Sunrise, first day of school ✓ complete
All three have now run for the Class of 2027. Each page has a recap
Next big committee event: Senior Sunset, spring 2027
Full list: Senior Calendar

What is the Senior Parade and Sunrise?

First day of school tradition
Seniors gather at Apex Nature Park and parade to campus
Sunrise breakfast follows at the stadium
Details and volunteer needs: Parade + Sunrise

Is Baccalaureate happening this year?

Only if a parent steps up to organize and fundraise for it. It is not a school or PTSA event
The PTSA funded it through the Class of 2026 and is not funding it going forward
Interested in leading it? Email [email protected] or see the Baccalaureate page

When is Senior Sunset?

Spring 2027, after Senior Awards
Exact date set by the school closer to the end of the year
Watch the calendar

What are senior backpacks, senior jeans, and "last first day" baskets?

Unofficial traditions, none required - they bubble up in the class Facebook groups each year
Backpacks: many seniors carry a childhood-character backpack (or their actual kindergarten one) - some just for the first day, plenty all year
Senior jeans: decorated jeans some seniors make for senior events. Lots of students skip them, and in the August heat many wait
Baskets: some families put together a small "last first day of school" basket. Sweet if it is your family's thing, invisible if it is not
If your senior has never heard of any of these, that is normal too

Can families come to the Senior Social?

No, the Senior Social is for seniors, not families
Parents help by volunteering and donating
Details: Senior Social

When is graduation?

Thursday, June 10, 2027 at 8:00am, at the Raleigh Convention Center
Principal Pittman shared the date as a "Save the Date." More details are coming from the school
More: Graduation

How many graduation tickets will we get?

No one knows yet. Nothing about tickets has been announced for the Class of 2027
Tickets have been limited in past years and the class is about 700 seniors, so expect a limit - but please do not book travel around a number you have heard secondhand
Need more? Some families share extras on the Class of 2027 Facebook group
More: Graduation

Signs, Shirts & Pictures

How do I order a senior yard sign?

Order through the PTSA Givebacks store
$35 - the $30 early-order window closed August 7
This round of sales closes September 15, and another round opens later in the semester
Enter your student's name at checkout so signs get matched at pickup
Details: Senior Signs

When and where do I pick up my yard sign?

Signs were handed out at the Senior Social (Aug 21) and at chalk decorating (Aug 23). Both have passed
Signs that were not collected are ready now for pickup from Christina Winter's porch - email [email protected] to arrange a time
Ordering is closed at the moment so the committee can place the current batch with SpeedPro. Sales reopen later in the year. Families who already ordered are contacted directly when their batch is ready for porch pickup
Signs are sorted by last name
Details: Senior Signs

How do senior shirts work?

A StuCo project. Design and voting happen on @afhs.seniorstuco27
Handed out at the Senior Social (Aug 21) and at chalk decorating (Aug 23). Both have passed - remaining shirts are with Ms. Wooten, picked up at school
Questions go to Ms. Wooten, [email protected]
Details: Senior Shirts

Do senior pictures have to be through Cady?

For the yearbook, yes. Only Cady "tux and drape" photos go in the yearbook
Book at cady.com/schedule
Details: Senior Pictures

Is there a free way to get my senior in the yearbook?

Yes. A yearbook-only photo can be taken at no fee, after the paid sessions
The school will announce the date. You do not need to do anything now
Details: Senior Pictures

How do I buy a yearbook?

AFHS yearbooks are sold through Jostens
Ordering is not open yet. Check back, and order early once it is
Details: Senior Pictures

How does the senior parking lottery work?

Entry ran July 6-31 through the AFHS student parking page and is now closed
It is a lottery, not first-come-first-served
Results went out August 3 by email. Check both the address used to enter the lottery and your senior's WCPSS school email, spam and promotions folders included
Recipients must complete the vehicle registration form and payment, then bring a six-item packet to pass pickup - notarized application, photocopies, and printed receipts for both fees. The school cannot make copies, and without the form there is no pass
Pickup windows are set by the school and change. Check the AFHS student parking page for current dates, or email Asst. Principal Will Kasapidis ([email protected])
Round 2 ran August 10-13 for remaining spots and is now closed. Results went out August 14 by student email
Details: Parking Lottery

Getting Involved

How do I volunteer?

Sign up at the SignUp Genius
See roles for each event on the Volunteer page
Most jobs are an hour or two

How can I donate?

Supply donations are closed now that the senior events are underway
Monetary donations through Givebacks are still welcome and support the class all year
Gift cards by emailing [email protected]
Details: Donations

I do not have much time. Can I still help?

Yes. Email [email protected] or check the SignUp Genius for something small
The senior committee will reach out when something fits. No commitment

Who runs this hub and is it official?

A few Class of 2027 parents, on our own
Not an official school or PTSA webpage, just a place we built to pull senior year info together
Senior events, volunteering, and donations are run by the PTSA senior committee - reach them at [email protected]
For anything official, always confirm on the AFHS school website
Spot an error? Tell us and we will fix it: Contact

College Applications

When should we start applications?

Now. Common App opened August 1 and is accepting applications for the Class of 2027
Before school starts: finalize the college list, draft the personal statement, line up rec letters
Full timeline: College Prep

Did the Common App Activities section change this year?

Yes. It is now called Activities and Experiences
The Position/Leadership box is not gone - students answer a Yes/No question first, and the field appears after answering Yes
"No" is a complete answer. Nobody has to invent a title for an activity that matters
If your senior made an account before August 1, check every rolled-over activity rather than assuming the new questions answered themselves
Details: College Prep

What is RDS and do we need it?

NC Residency Determination. Decides in-state tuition and NC state aid eligibility
Colleges may ask for the RCN it gives you
Every NC student needs it, even lifelong residents
Complete early at ncresidency.org

How does my student send an AFHS transcript?

Depends how they apply (CFNC, Common App, or ScribOrder)
Wait until fall rank is complete, around mid-September
Full breakdown: College Prep

Does AFHS send SAT and ACT scores?

No. Students send them directly through College Board (SAT) or ACT

Where do I find deadlines for NC schools?

UNC system and NC private school deadlines are in a table on College Prep
Always confirm on each school's own site, dates shift year to year

Money & Financial Aid

When does FAFSA open and should we file?

Opens October 1
Most families should consider filing, even if they do not expect federal need-based aid
Some colleges and scholarship programs use it when awarding other aid, so check each school's requirements
File at studentaid.gov

What is the CSS Profile and who needs it?

A separate aid form some private schools require
Includes Duke, Davidson, Wake Forest, and UNC Chapel Hill (for institutional aid)
File at cssprofile.collegeboard.org

Is there NC-specific aid we might miss?

Yes. The Next NC Scholarship covers tuition and fees for many NC families at NC public colleges
Automatic once you file FAFSA
More NC aid: College Prep

Where do I look for scholarships?

Start with your counselor and Student Services for local ones
National: Fastweb, Scholarships.com
Full link list: Resources

What is the $45 senior activity fee?

A school fee covering a Senior t-shirt, diploma cover, end-of-year celebration, and other senior year costs (listed as "Class of 2027 Senior Fees")
Pay online through School Cash Online. Parking assignments require it to be paid
Struggling to pay? There is help. Talk to Mr. Pittman or your counselor
Details: School Information & Forms

I paid the senior fee, but Infinite Campus still shows it as unpaid. Did my payment go through?

Almost certainly yes - this is a known issue affecting many families, not just you
School Cash Online and Infinite Campus are not automatically synced, so paid fees can show as unpaid in Infinite Campus for weeks until the school updates records
The school has confirmed that payments made through School Cash Online are recorded on their end, and that your email confirmation (or other receipt) is all the proof you need
Keep your email receipt from School Cash Online and give Infinite Campus time to catch up - no need to pay again or call the school

Is there a prom, and when?

Prom is April 16, 2027, and is typically organized by Student Council
Ticket prices, the venue, and deadlines are announced by the school and StuCo. We will note major dates on the Senior Calendar

Questions? Email [email protected] | collegehound.com/community/afhs/seniors

Last updated: September 19, 2026