The U.S. Census Bureau projects 3.2 million diplomas will be awarded nationally to the class of 2012 high school graduates.

 Approximately 1,324 of those graduates are from schools in the Flathead Valley. 

Ten commencement ceremonies are planned starting May 26 and ending June 2.

One change to note this year is that Flathead and Glacier high schools will hold commencement on separate days as opposed to being held the same day, as they have in previous years. High school administrators decided this will better allow relatives and friends to attend both ceremonies. 

Following is a schedule of local commencement information:

• Bigfork High School graduation is slated for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, in the high school gym. About 63 seniors will graduate this year. Of the 63, Bigfork has welcomed three foreign exchange students to participate in the ceremony.

• Bridge Academy, an alternative Kalispell school, will hold graduation for about 55 students at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 31, at the Linderman Education Center gym.

• Columbia Falls High School will graduate approximately 153 seniors 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, in the high school gym.

• Flathead High School’s graduation will be at 7 p.m. Friday, June 1, in the gym, with about 355 graduates. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Overflow seating is available in the school commons area or in the auditorium.

• Flathead Valley Home School’s graduation is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at the Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Drive, Kalispell, for 23 participating seniors.

• Glacier High School’s graduation is slated for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, in the high school gym. There will be about 270 graduates participating in the ceremony.

• Laser School, another Kalispell alternative school, will hold graduation at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 31, at the Linderman Education Center gym for about 25 students.

• Stillwater Christian School will graduate 19 seniors at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 1, in the gym.

• Whitefish High School graduation is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, June 2, in the school gym. Approximately 123 seniors will graduate this year.

• Whitefish Independent High School is set to graduate 11 students at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 31, in Hope Garden, located at Muldown Elementary School.