Q: Which local schools will host kindergarten graduation programs this year?

A: Schools are free to decide for themselves if they will host a kindergarten graduation. In Lincoln County and Brookhaven, all of the schools will host a graduation for kindergartners except for West Lincoln Attendance Center. Outgoing West Lincoln Principal Jason Case did not respond to a request for comment, but Enterprise Principal Shannon Eubanks said the primary purpose of kindergarten graduation may be a historical one for some schools. Its roots are from a time when kindergarten was optional.

“You can make a strong argument that really it’s not as needed,” Eubanks said. “We want people to look at the whole experience of elementary.

“We do it now mostly out of tradition and because we don’t have a pre-k program here. It’s really the first time for parents to have their kids experience school. It’s a nice testament to see how far they’ve come. It’s something the community gets behind and they like. As long as the community wants it, I don’t have a problem with having it.”

In Brookhaven, Mamie Martin traditionally hosted an end-of-year musical for students, but Principal Rob McCreary said kindergarten graduation was a common request from parents.

“This is our third year,” McCreary said. “It’s worked much, much better than an end-of-the-year program. We’ve had to move it to a bigger venue just for that reason. So many people show up for it.”

Mamie Martin will have kindergarten graduation at the Brookhaven High School auditorium May 19. Because of the number of students, the event is split into three parts. For students of Britt, Gamble, Jeffreys and Sicks, graduation will be at 9 a.m. For students of Case, Richardson, Smith and Spring, graduation will be at 10:30 a.m. For students of Barrington, Gearing, Moak and Thurman, graduation will be at 1 p.m.

For Bogue Chitto kindergarten students, graduation will be May 16 at 9 a.m.

For Enterprise kindergarten students, graduation will be May 18 at 10 a.m.

For Loyd Star kindergarten students, graduation will be May 19 at 9 a.m.