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Caps, Gowns & Academic Regalia

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The distinct "Cap & Gown" is perhaps the most visual aspect of any graduation and today's graduation dress is rooted in the Medieval Times when academic buildings in Europe, founded by clergy, were not heated and the gowns and hoods were worn daily to stay warm. Records go back as far as the 12th and 13th centuries, where the significance of the hood dates back to Celtic Groups and Druid priests who wore capes with hoods that symbolized higher intelligence and superiority in an effort to distinguish themselves from the laypeople of the town. 

Today, the traditional attire is worn to distinguish rites of passage as graduation is an important cultural tradition with three ritualistic steps: (1) Walking in the ceremony is a separation of society; (2) It is inculcation to transformation; and, (3) returning to society with a new status. The most prevalent style is the mortarboard cap which pairs with the standard graduation gowns. Today's mortarboard cap, referred to less commonly as the Oxford Cap, may have developed from the biretta, a similar-looking hat worn by Roman Catholic clergy. 

Kingsway Graduates wear a red gown with black cuffs and a matching mortarboard cap. Each graduate wears a red and black tassel. Additional regalia may include sashes (stoles), honor cords, and Latin honor medals to denote achievement or involvement in academy programs, honor societies, and other clubs, activities and programs. 

  • Summa Cum Laude Medal - Students earning Weighted GPA of 3.90 or higher, "Highest Distinction"
  • Magna Cum Laude Medal - Weighted GPA of 3.70 - 3.89, "Great Distinction"
  • Cum Laude - Weighted GPA of 3.50 - 3.69, "With Distinction"
  • National Honor Society - Gold Sash (Stole) & Tassel
  • National Art Honor Society - Rainbow Cord
  • Tri-M Music Honor Society - Pink Cord
  • World Language Honor Society
    •      French - Red, White & Blue Cord
    •      Italian - Green, Red & White Cord
    •      Spanish - Red & Gold Cord
  • Business Leadership Academy - Blue & White Cord
  • School of Health Professions - Light Green Cord
  • Team Scholastics - Blue & Gold Cord
  • Seal of Biliteracy - Silver Cord
  • STEM Academy - Dark Green Cord
  • Unified Physical Education - Tri-Colored Red, Gray & White Cord