Graduation wishes, from kindergarten to grad school
Say you're proud, name one thing they did to get here, and wish them one thing for what comes next.
Who’s in it?
Pay, and it’s ready in about 20 seconds
Four pictures to pick from, no watermark, a link that opens on any phone. We email it to you too.
Sent. Its link opens this card.
A good graduation message says you're proud, names one thing they did to get there, and points at what's next: "Congratulations, Priya. I watched you study through every soccer season and still make Sunday dinner. Whatever's next is lucky to get you." For a little one, one sweet line read out loud is plenty. Below are 77 graduation wishes sorted by level: preschool and kindergarten, 5th and 8th grade, high school, college, and grad school or nursing, plus lines from Mom and Dad, from the grandparents, short ones and funny ones. Copy one, or tap it to put it on a card with their face in it. For a small grad, the card puts them on a classroom stage in a cap and gown, with the cap a little too big. Older grads can get the movie-poster treatment, walking in slow motion down a glowing city street.
What to write, by grade
The younger the grad, the shorter the line. A kindergartner wants to hear it read out loud. A college grad wants to know you noticed how hard it was.
| Graduating from | What works | Leave out |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool or kindergarten | One short line about something they learned, read out loud | Big talk about the future. They're five |
| 5th grade | Proud of them, and excited for middle school with them | Scary stories about middle school |
| 8th grade | What they got through, and that high school is lucky to get them | "These are the best years of your life" |
| High school | One thing they did well, and that you're behind whatever's next | Questions about college, jobs or the plan |
| College | The hard part you saw, and that you trust them with what's next | Student loan math |
| Grad school, nursing, law | Use the new title, and name what it cost them | "So what's next?" They need a week off first |
77 messages to put on the card
Tap one and it goes on your card. You can change every word.
Short ones for the card
Preschool and kindergarten
5th and 8th grade
High school
College
Grad school, nursing and other big degrees
From Mom and Dad
From Grandma and Grandpa
Funny ones
Cards made from your photos
How to write a graduation message in three lines
"Congratulations, Marcus. I know how many late nights went into that chemistry grade. Wherever you land next, I'll be cheering." Three parts, in this order:
- Congratulations and their name. For a little one, add what they are now: "Congratulations, Lily, our brand-new first grader."
- One thing they did to get here: a class they fought through, a job they worked, a friend they helped.
- One wish for what's next. Keep it open if they haven't decided: "Whatever comes next, I'm proud of you."
When to send it, and what goes with it
A few things people ask every May and June:
- Send it on graduation day or in the few weeks after. A late card still beats no card.
- An announcement isn't a bill. If you got one, a card is plenty, and a gift is up to you.
- Sending money by app? Say so in the card, so the two arrive together and nobody wonders.
- Grandparents can sign from both of you, then add one line that's only yours. A story from the day they were born works at any age.
- Grads: thank the people who sent cards within a few weeks. These thank-you messages make it quick.
How it works
- Pick a cardPilots, mermaids, rock stars, one very surprised cake. Every one shows a real example first.
- Add their photosOne clear face each, up to 5 people. A selfie is fine. No sign-up.
- Preview it, then payOne picture of them in the card in about 10 seconds. Like it? Apple Pay or Google Pay, and four pictures arrive about 20 seconds later, the video in about 90.
What is a good short graduation message?
"So proud of you. Go get 'em." "Cap, gown, done. Congratulations." "You did the work, and it shows." Short is best for a text or a big group card. Put their name in front and it stops sounding copied.
What can I say instead of happy graduation?
"Congratulations, graduate" is the classic, and "So proud of you" says more than either. "Well done, you" works for a friend. "Happy graduation" is fine too, especially in a text.
How do you say congrats in a unique way?
Bring up something only you know about how they got there: "Remember when you wanted to quit in October? Look at you now." Or let a picture say it, with a card of them on stage in a cap and gown or walking in slow motion like the star of the movie.
What do you write in a kindergarten graduation card?
Something short you can read to them, about one thing they learned: "Congratulations, Sam. You learned to read your name, make friends and zip your coat. First grade is lucky." If a birthday is coming up too, here are wishes for a 5-year-old and a 6-year-old.
What are some good graduation gifts for college grads?
Money is the classic, and it always gets used. Things for a first apartment come next: a good knife, a small toolkit, decent sheets. Whatever you give, write one real line about what they did to earn that degree.
Can I put my grad's face on a graduation card?
Yes. Tap a wish, add one clear photo and pay. HiWith puts your grad in the scene, from a preschooler on a classroom stage in a cap that's slightly too big to an older grad in a movie-poster walk, and adds your line. You get four pictures and a short video, the pictures ready about 20 seconds after you pay, sent as a link that opens on any phone. Turning 18 the same month? Here are 18th birthday wishes.
Is it safe to upload my child's photo?
Photos are private and used only to make your card. They're never used to train AI, and they're deleted after 30 days unless you keep the card. Nothing is shown publicly unless you share the link.
By HiWith (Winding AI, Inc.) · support@winding.ai · Updated