Graduation is a bittersweet time for students—it’s a time of excitement but also one filled with mixed emotions about the future. Am I ready to move on? Will I stay in touch with my friends? What does the future hold for me? One of the best ways to support and celebrate students as they experience this important milestone is with music. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best graduation songs for 2026, including recommendations from popular Instagram music teacher Dana Kemp (@music.with.mrsk)!
Remember, every classroom is different, so before adding these songs to your playlist, listen to them in advance to ensure they match the tone of your educational setting. Similarly, please expect college graduation songs to contain mature themes and language.
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We’ve partnered with popular Instagram music teacher Dana Kemp (@music.with.mrsk) to bring you this top 10 list of meaningful, teacher-recommended songs for your graduation playlist. Be sure to follow her on Instagram for more music teacher advice and fun!
1. New Beginnings, Endless Dreams by Pacito L. Sargado
Mrs. K says: “This song celebrates stepping into a new chapter of life with hope, excitement, and big dreams for the future. ‘The future shines brighter than it seems.’”
2. We Made It Through by KaraKanta
Mrs. K says: “This song celebrates overcoming challenges together, thanking parents and teachers, and looking ahead to the future. ‘This victory belongs to you.’”
3. A New Beginning, Across All Time by Pacito L. Sargado
Mrs. K says: “This song emphasizes moving forward, overcoming challenges, and cherishing shared memories. ‘We’re more than ready, the world’s in our hands.’”
4. For Good from Wicked
Mrs. K says: “This song emphasizes how friendships and shared experiences—the ups and the downs—change us forever. ‘And we are led to those who help us most to grow.’”
5. Don’t Throw Out My LEGOs by AJR
Mrs. K says: “This song captures the feeling of growing up and not quite being ready to let go of childhood while moving forward. ‘’Cause I wanna move out, I don’t wanna move on.’”
6. Long Live by Taylor Swift
Mrs. K says: “This song looks back on meaningful memories and shared victories, honoring moments that will last forever and the legacy that was left behind. ‘It was the end of a decade but the start of an age.’”
7. I’ll Always Remember You by Miley Cyrus
Mrs. K says: “This song captures the bittersweet feeling of a day you always knew would come, while holding on to the memories and friendships that stay with you even as people go their separate ways. ‘The times that we had I’ll keep like a photograph.’”
8. Hall of Fame by The Script
Mrs. K says: “This song empowers and inspires students to believe in themselves and recognize their accomplishments after all their years of hard work. ‘Be students, be teachers, be politicians, be preachers, be believers, be leaders. …’”
9. Count on Me by Bruno Mars
Mrs. K says: “This song highlights the importance of friendship and supporting each other beyond graduation. ‘You can count on me like 1, 2, 3, I’ll be there, and I know when you need it I can count on you.’”
10. Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
Mrs. K says: “This song encourages students to embrace the unknown future and take control of their own story. ‘The rest is still unwritten.’”
Preschool Graduation Songs
ABC You Later by Obie Leff
We’re Moving Up to Kindergarten by The Orchard Enterprises
I’m B-I-G by Wayne Potash
Preschool Graduation Day Song by Young Music Company
Thank You by Patty Shukla
Graduation Song by Mr. Pete’s Playhouse
Kindergarten Graduation Songs
May There Always Be Sunshine by Dr. Jean
One Small Voice by Jack Hartmann
What I Am by Sesame Street with Will.i.am
Easy Goodbye Song by Dream English Kids
You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman
A Whole New World by Lea Salonga and Brad Kane
Let’s Graduate by The Kiboomers
How Far I’ll Go by Auli’i Cravalho
Kindergarten Graduation Song by Freddie Shoehorn
Each of Us Is a Flower by Charlotte Diamond
Proud of You! by Fiona Fung
Shine Bright! by EduFun KidsZone
Yay! Yay! It’s Graduation Day! by Jack Hartmann
Elementary School Graduation Songs
I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan
Try Everything by Shakira
I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
Permission to Dance by BTS
High Hopes by Frank Sinatra
I Will Remember You by Amy Grant
Change by Taylor Swift
Don’t Forget To Remember by The Bee Gees
Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce
It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday by Boyz II Men
Circle of Life by Tim Rice and Elton John (Lion King)
The Climb by Miley Cyrus
Middle School Graduation Songs
Dynamite by BTS
Breaking Free by the High School Musical Cast
(I Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan
With a Little Help From My Friends by The Beatles
High Hopes by Panic! at the Disco
Dynamite by Taio Cruz
100 Years by Five for Fighting
7 Years by Lukas Graham
The Time by The Black Eyed Peas
Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield
Life Is a Highway by Rascal Flatts (written by Tom Cochrane)
Better Place by *NSYNC
High School Graduation Songs
Graduate by Third Eye Blind
Graduation Day by The Beach Boys
Something Big by Shawn Mendes
Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve
Life Goes On by BTS
Firework by Katy Perry
Graduation (Friends Forever) by Vitamin C
Going Away to College by Blink-182
Billionaire by Travie McCoy ft. Bruno Mars
Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
Lean On Me by Bill Withers
In My Life by The Beatles
The Final Countdown by Europe
We Are the Champions by Queen
No Such Thing by John Mayer
Here’s To Never Growing Up by Avril Lavigne
How Far We’ve Come by Matchbox Twenty
Times Like These by Foo Fighters
Best Day of My Life by American Authors
Whenever You Remember by Carrie Underwood
As It Was by Harry Styles
Ghost! by Kid Cudi
See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
I Was Here by Beyoncé
Prom by SZA
Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line
Memories by Maroon 5
My Shot by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr., Anthony Ramos, and Okieriete Onaodowan
Die With a Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga
Used To Be Young by Miley Cyrus
College Graduation Songs
We Are Young by Fun. ft. Janelle Monáe
Today My Life Begins by Bruno Mars
Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
My Future by Billie Eilish
About Damn Time by Lizzo
Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) by Kid Cudi
Good Life by OneRepublic
The Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga
Congratulations by Post Malone ft. Quavo
Ribs by Lorde
Graduation by Benny Blanco and Juice WRLD
Good Life by Kanye West ft. T-Pain
Hey Look Ma, I Made It by Panic! at the Disco
Beautiful Things by Benson Boone
What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish
Don’t forget to grab your free printable graduation diplomas!
We have a bundle of diplomas and certificates to celebrate your students’ accomplishments. Included in the bundle are certificates for preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school. Just click the button below and fill out the form to get your graduation certificates.