Welcome to your senior year! This is such an exciting time filled with milestones, memories, and big decisions ahead. As a school community, we are here to support you every step of the way—whether it’s preparing for graduation, exploring postsecondary plans, or simply making the most of this final year together.

Embrace the moments and take pride in how far you have come. The Marion L. Steele High School faculty and staff are so proud of you and look forward to celebrating all that the Class of 2026 will accomplish.

Have a great senior year!

The following obligations must be completed by May 21, 2026 in order to receive your cap and gown at graduation practice:

1. Payment of all fees and fines. See Mrs. Doehr in the main office with any questions or to set up a payment plan. Please note: Prom tickets and diplomas will be held if there are outstanding fees.

2. Return all athletic uniforms and equipment.

3. Payment for cap and gown to Jostens.

4. Return all required textbooks.

5. Return all school-issued Chromebooks.

All seniors planning to walk at Graduation must order a cap and gown from Jostens by November 25, 2025. If you missed the order days, you can order online at www.jostens.com. Please contact our Josten's representative, Mr. Torbert, at 440-822-6626 or rodd.torbert@jostens.com with any questions or concerns.

Jostens will deliver announcements for students to their classrooms in March. Cap and gowns are delivered at Graduation practice in the Cafetorium on Thursday, May 21st. School and Jostens fees must be paid in order to receive your cap and gown.

Jostens was at the Lorain County JVS on September 15, 2025 for our Steele LCJVS seniors. Any JVS Senior who missed the date should contact Mr. Torbert.

School fees need to be paid in full in order to attend Prom, receive your cap and gown, and to receive your diploma. Please see Mrs. Doehr, Financial Secretary, if you need to set up a payment plan.

Students taking an AP exam must have their test fee(s) paid by December 19, 2025. The cost of each AP exam is $90.

Studio Q will be at Steele on Thursday, October 16th to photograph Senior Portraits. Appointments for senior portraits are first come. Please click this link to sign up for a time slot. The first three time slots are for JVS students only.

Click this link for an example of the senior portrait yearbook page and for more yearbook information. Please see Mr. Rubinski in room 511 or Mrs. Arendash in the main office with any questions.

The Class of 2026 Senior Panoramic Photo is on Thursday, October 16th at 7:00 am in the Main Gym. We will take the picture promptly at 7:00 am, so please plan on being at Steele by 6:45 am. Transportation will be provided for JVS students following the picture.

Click this link more yearbook information. Please see Mr. Rubinski in room 511 or Mrs. Arendash in the main office with any questions.

Senior yearbook ads can now be purchased through Friday, March 20th. Visit the Jostens website and click on "Yearbook Ads" to design and pay for your ad.

Seniors who would like their baby picture in the yearbook should email it to Mr. Rubinski at brian_rubinski@amherstk12.org by January 31st.

Click this link for an example of the yearbook baby picture section, example ads, and more yearbook information.

The MLS Counseling Department will share information in the Spring for applying for scholarships from the Amherst Schools Education Foundation.

Scholarship information can also be found on the MLS School Counseling Website.

ACT Dates (Testing is at Marion L. Steele High School): December 13, 2025, February 14, 2026, and April 11, 2026

SAT Dates (Testing is at Marion L. Steele High School): October 4, 2025, November 8, 2025, December 6, 2025, and March 14, 2026

Any senior who received a perfect subscore on the ACT or SAT must notify Mrs. Cooney by March 27, 2026.

Prom to Dawn (after prom) is a parent initiative for the Class of 2026 and is not affiliated with Marion L. Steele High School. If the families of the Class of 2026 would like to organize Prom to Dawn, we would be happy to assist with your communications to our students and connect you with Steele PTO.

The Senior Scholastic Awards Banquet is May 5, 2026 at German's Villa beginning at 6:00 pm.

Seniors who have earned special academic recognition or who are receiving an Amherst Scholarship will be invited to attend.

Invitations will be sent to students in late April along with ticket information. Tickets for the banquet must be purchased. Reservations need to be placed with Mrs. Cooney.

The last day of classes for the Class of 2026 is Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Final Exams will be on Monday, May 18th and Tuesday, May 19th.

There will be a MANDATORY graduation practice on Thursday, May 21st, beginning promptly at 7:25 am in the cafetorium. Graduation practice will conclude when the senior class has run through the entire commencement ceremony.

All students are expected to be on time. If you miss practice, you will not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Graduation practice will conclude with a procession of the Class of 2026 graduates from Steele to Walter G. Nord School. After the walk at Nord, students will receive a police escort to AJH and walk through both the Junior High and Powers Elementary School. Parents are invited to view the procession to and from Nord or between AJH and Powers.

Amherst Schools, along with the Amherst Police Department, will be holding a Senior Send-Off on Thursday, May 21st at 6:00 pm for the Class of 2026. There is a rain date of May 22nd.

The Amherst Police Department will lead seniors in an extended route from Powers Elementary School to Marion L. Steele High School.

Staff members from Powers, Nord, AJH, and Steele will be along the route to wish the seniors farewell and good luck.

Females: Please wear a dress or nice pants, shirt, and shoes. No flip-flops are allowed.

Males: Please wear nice pants, shirt, shoes, and socks. No shorts should be worn at graduation.

If you are not properly dressed, you may not be permitted to participate. Administration reserves the right to determine appropriate dress at Commencement. Do not forget your cap, gown, tassels, and additional cords as we do not have extras.