Graduating? Not so fast. Pay up or stay home.

A number of MCPS high schools charge students mandatory "senior dues" that are required to be paid in order to attend graduation. When did the Board of Education authorize local schools to assess students a fee for graduating? Board of Education minutes and policies appear to be silent on this mandatory fee. But evidence of this mandatory "pay up or stay home" assessment can be found on a number of high school websites. Note at some schools the dues increase if not paid by a certain date. Some senior dues include the cap and gown, some do not.

Blair High School: Senior Dues $16.50

Blake High School: Pay up or stay home in 2007 Senior Class dues were $5

Kennedy High School: Senior Dues $40-$50 plus Cap & Gown $47 - $60

Northwood High School: Senior Dues $110 to $120 (includes Cap & Gown)

Poolesville High School: Senior Class Dues $75

Richard Montgomery High School: Senior Class Dues $65 to $75

Walter Johnson High School: Senior Class Dues $60 to $90 and Obligations

Whitman: Senior Dues $50 (includes Cap & Gown)