Welcome to the 2026 online application for participation in the CAPE-NM Graduation Recognition Ceremony.
“Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:6-7 Fan the Flame
Legacy Church 7201 Central Ave. NW Albuquerque, NM Program starts at 3:00pm
How many years will you have been home-schooled consecutively at the time of graduation?
Does the graduate or parent need handicap accessibility to the stage?
What is your recommendation for a graduation song?
2026 Graduate Requirements & Guidelines
Please Read Carefully
Checklist
❑ Pay the graduation registration fee by March 8, 2026.
❑ Students AND Parents must print, sign, scan, and return the signed copy of the Policy Agreement located on the last page of this packet. It may be submitted via an upload to the CAPE-NM website, mailed to the address at the top of this letter, emailed to the graduation committee, or a picture can be texted to the number at the top of this letter.
❑ Minimum 250-word essay of what Jesus means to you or your testimony - .doc/.docx or similar only
❑ Maximum 69-word biography of the graduate (see above for suggestions) – .doc/.docx or similar only
❑ Four (4) photos of the graduate; please note youngest to oldest and label the senior picture – .jpg/.png only
❑ Scanned Policy Agreement, Essay, Bio, & digital photos should be uploaded in the correct formats to the CAPE-NM website – you will use the link from the original email (in which you received this packet) to access the page to upload to your profile.
❑ All submissions are due by March 31, 2026.
❑ Order your own cap, gown, tassel, and diploma from HSLDA by April 1, 2026, to ensure they arrive on time and there are no problems with the order. It will also give you time to iron the gown for the ceremony.
Dress Code and Conduct Policy
With respect to the standards of CAPE-NM, CAPE-NM requires that participants (parents & graduates) follow these guidelines:
Hair: Natural hair colors only. (No pink, blue, bright red, etc.)
Gentlemen: Dress pants and button shirt with tie (can be a bowtie). No earrings or jewelry other than a watch and/or ring.
Ladies: Modest dresses or skirts, knee-length or longer, or dress slacks or pantsuits. Tops need to have sleeves – short or long with neckline not low-cut. Pierced earrings are acceptable, and all other jewelry should be modest & tasteful.
Body Piercings: Strictly prohibited. Examples of body piercings include but are not limited to nose, eyebrow, lip, or tongue rings or studs.
Decorating of the caps or gowns prior to or during the ceremony: There have been questions regarding the decorating of the graduation caps for the ceremony. The CAPE-NM board has decided to have the ceremony be more formal. Therefore, decorated caps and/or gowns WILL NOT be allowed for the ceremony. Your student can decorate their cap/gown following the ceremony.
Conduct: A manner that glorifies our Lord Jesus.
If rules are disobeyed or disregarded by graduate at any time, CAPE–NM reserves the right to refuse participation, without refund.
CAPE-NM GRADUATION POLICY
1. Students must have been homeschooled (as opposed to Public or Private School at home) at least two consecutive years prior to the graduation ceremony.
2. The CAPE-NM board must approve any exceptions.
3. Students must follow Dress Code and Conduct Policy set by CAPE-NM or are subject to removal any time prior to and including during the graduation ceremony.
4. A 250-word essay of what Jesus means to you (or your testimony) is a requirement to participate in the Recognition Ceremony.
5. CAPE-NM reserves the right to refuse participation at any time.
6. CAPE-NM cannot be responsible for any lost or stolen articles.
7. The views expressed by the main speaker giving the Charge to the Graduates are his own and are not necessarily those of CAPE-NM.
8. CAPE-NM reserves the right to edit biographies for length and content before they are read or posted.
9. The Diploma issued to the graduate is by the parent(s) and is not and cannot be in any way presumed accreditation by CAPE-NM.
10. You agree to abide by the policies and guidelines set forth by CAPE-NM for the CAPE-NM Graduation Recognition Ceremony.
