'Degrassi' graduates for good in July

NEW YORK (AP) — Graduation day is looming for Degrassi, which will end its 14-season run on TeenNick in July.

The network announced Thursday that the teen-oriented series will conclude with a two-week final lap.

TeenNick's 12 final episodes will kick off July 20 with an hour-long special, followed by episodes airing weeknights through July 31.

An hour-long finale will bring the series to a close.

In those last episodes, the high school's senior class prepares for its prom and graduation as the school year comes to an end.

Degrassi is the offshoot of a dramatic Canadian TV franchise reaching back to 1979. The many youth-oriented social and culture issues it portrayed include that of a transgender teen.

The series won a Peabody Award in 2010 for that episode.

The series was a fan favorite for its memorable characters, and launched the careers of several stars, such as The Vampire Diaries alum Nina Dobrev, 90210 star Shenae Grimes. and rapper Drake, aka Jimmy Brooks.

For now, Degrassi airs weeknights at 9 p.m. EDT.