With most of the state under the threat of inclement weather, several Middle Georgia schools have dismissed students early and cancelled after-school activities Wednesday.

The Bibb County school system cancelled its winter graduation ceremony, as well as after-school programs and athletic events, according to schools spokeswoman Josephine Bennett.

About 40 Bibb high school students were set to receive their diplomas in a ceremony at Central High School Wednesday night.

The National Weather service has issued tornado watch for most of the state until 8 p.m., and a wind advisory is in effect through midnight, with sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph.

Stratford Academy’s high school students were dismissed from school at 1:30 p.m., and younger students were dismissed at 2 p.m., said Kathleen Medlin, the school’s advancement director.

School officials made the decision to avoid having parents on the road when the bad weather hits, Medlin said.

Students at Mount de Sales Academy ended their day at 1:50 p.m., and all after-school care and activities were canceled, according to an announcement on the school’s website.

St. Joseph’s Catholic School dismissed students at 2 p.m., though students in the after-school program can stay until 4 p.m., said Principal Kaye Hlavaty. She said the decision to close came after speaking to officials at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service.

All after-school practices and athletics at First Presbyterian Day School were cancelled, including its middle school basketball tournament. The event will start Thursday, according to the school.

Bibb public schools did not have plans to dismiss students early, spokeswoman Stephanie Hartley said.

However, grant-funded after-school programs at 13 elementary and middle schools have been cancelled, spokeswoman Josephine Bennett said. The cancellation affects students at Alex II, Brookdale, Burdell-Hunt, Heritage, Ingram-Pye, Jones, Lane, Skyview, Springdale, Vineville, Riley, King-Danforth and Hartley elementary schools, as well as Miller Middle School.

Students whose parents pick them up from the after-school programs will need to make alternate arrangements, Bennett said. Bibb school officials also canceled athletic activities, Hartley said.

Officials at Houston and Peach schools, Sacred Heart Catholic School in Warner Robins and the Westfield School in Perry also said they did not plan to release students early.

Fort Valley State University is not cancelling classes either.

Wesleyan College, however, has cancelled classes after 3 p.m. and dismissing faculty and staff at the same time. Wilkinson County schools have also cancelled after-school and evening activities.

Writers Angela Woolen and Jenna Mink contributed to this report.