Did you know that seven of our Class of 2026 graduates achieved perfect attendance throughout their entire K–12 educational journey?!
That means these students completed 13 years of school without missing a single day:
Julius Montalvo, Gaither High School
Nathan Jorden, Lennard High School
Noah Jorden, Lennard High School
Amanda Harris, Newsome High School
Darius Donaldson-Dunphy, Plant City High School
Matthew Mason, Sickles High School
Sadie Jones, Sickles High School
They were recognized at a recent school board meeting, and each received a $500 scholarship gift card from our partner in education, Suncoast Credit Union.
Join Hillsborough County Public Schools at our Transportation Job Fair and explore careers as a Bus Driver or Mechanic. Enjoy great benefits, paid time off, free training, school breaks, and more.
📅 July 15 | 🕘 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
📅 July 29 | 🕘 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
📅 August 19 | 🕘 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
at our Transportation HQ located at 9455 Harney Rd, Thonotosassa
Help keep our students moving safely every day! Register Today: https://bit.ly/2026DrivetheBus
Learn more about our Transportation and the benefits of joining the team at http://hillsboroughschools.org/drive.
Give your student more opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed in an A-graded school district! The final Magnet and School Choice application window for the 2026–2027 school year opens Monday, July 6, at 6:00 p.m. and closes Sunday, July 12, at 11:59 p.m.
Families can explore a variety of options, including STEM, arts, International Baccalaureate (IB), career-themed magnet programs, Montessori, and Hillsborough Virtual School. Find a magnet program that best fits your student's interests and goals at http://hillsboroughschools.org/magnet.
Apply before the deadline >> http://hillsboroughschools.org/choice.
Families can explore a variety of options, including STEM, arts, International Baccalaureate (IB), career-themed magnet programs, Montessori, and Hillsborough Virtual School. Find a magnet program that best fits your student's interests and goals at http://hillsboroughschools.org/magnet.
Apply before the deadline >> http://hillsboroughschools.org/choice.
We'd like to congratulate Amy Metzler on being named the new principal of Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School!
Amy began her education career as a preschool teacher in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 2006, she taught 3rd grade in Cobb County, Georgia, before joining the HCPS family in 2010. She taught 5th grade at Summerfield Crossings Elementary School and Shore Elementary School before becoming a math coach in 2013. Amy served as a math coach at Shore, Tampa Heights, Potter, and Bing Elementary Schools, as well as at the district level. She was appointed assistant principal at Sulphur Springs K-8 in 2019. Most recently, she served as principal of Tampa Heights Elementary School.
Congratulations, Amy! We know our Buccaneers are ready to chart a course for success under your leadership!
Amy began her education career as a preschool teacher in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 2006, she taught 3rd grade in Cobb County, Georgia, before joining the HCPS family in 2010. She taught 5th grade at Summerfield Crossings Elementary School and Shore Elementary School before becoming a math coach in 2013. Amy served as a math coach at Shore, Tampa Heights, Potter, and Bing Elementary Schools, as well as at the district level. She was appointed assistant principal at Sulphur Springs K-8 in 2019. Most recently, she served as principal of Tampa Heights Elementary School.
Congratulations, Amy! We know our Buccaneers are ready to chart a course for success under your leadership!
Meet Jennifer Heinze, the new principal of Morgan Woods Elementary School!
Jennifer began her career with HCPS in 2005 as a 2nd-grade teacher at Dunbar Elementary School. She later taught 2nd and 3rd grades and served as Reading Coach at Edison Elementary School. In 2019, she was appointed assistant principal at Muller Elementary School before returning to Edison as assistant principal in 2020. Most recently, she served as principal of Edison.
Congratulations, Jennifer! We know our Tigers will accomplish great things under your leadership.
Jennifer began her career with HCPS in 2005 as a 2nd-grade teacher at Dunbar Elementary School. She later taught 2nd and 3rd grades and served as Reading Coach at Edison Elementary School. In 2019, she was appointed assistant principal at Muller Elementary School before returning to Edison as assistant principal in 2020. Most recently, she served as principal of Edison.
Congratulations, Jennifer! We know our Tigers will accomplish great things under your leadership.
Congratulations to Carmon Hinton on being named the new principal of McDonald Elementary School!
Carmon began her education career in 2013 with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in Ohio. In 2019, she moved to Florida and joined the HCPS family, where she taught Varying Exceptionalities at Kimbell Elementary School. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Lewis Elementary School.
We look forward to seeing the incredible work you'll accomplish with our Mustangs, Carmon!
Carmon began her education career in 2013 with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in Ohio. In 2019, she moved to Florida and joined the HCPS family, where she taught Varying Exceptionalities at Kimbell Elementary School. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Lewis Elementary School.
We look forward to seeing the incredible work you'll accomplish with our Mustangs, Carmon!
We'd like to congratulate Christina Calve on being named the new principal of Lowry Elementary School!
Christina began her career with HCPS in 2006 as a 3rd-grade teacher at Cahoon Elementary School (now Woodson K-8). She later taught at Symmes Elementary School and Collins K-8 before serving as a science coach at Lockhart Elementary School in 2012. She then moved into a district-level role and, in 2016, became the science resource teacher at Town and Country Elementary School. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Carrollwood K-8.
Our Leopards are ready to welcome you to the prowl, Christina!
Christina began her career with HCPS in 2006 as a 3rd-grade teacher at Cahoon Elementary School (now Woodson K-8). She later taught at Symmes Elementary School and Collins K-8 before serving as a science coach at Lockhart Elementary School in 2012. She then moved into a district-level role and, in 2016, became the science resource teacher at Town and Country Elementary School. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Carrollwood K-8.
Our Leopards are ready to welcome you to the prowl, Christina!
Congratulations to Lizzette Beltran on being named the new principal of Cannella Elementary School!
Lizzette began her career with HCPS in 2006 as a 3rd- and 5th-grade teacher at Lomax Elementary School. She later joined Schwarzkopf Elementary School, where she taught various grade levels and served as an ELL Resource Teacher and Reading Resource Teacher. In 2022, she was appointed assistant principal at Cannella.
Our Comets are going to continue to soar to new heights under your leadership, Lizzette!
Lizzette began her career with HCPS in 2006 as a 3rd- and 5th-grade teacher at Lomax Elementary School. She later joined Schwarzkopf Elementary School, where she taught various grade levels and served as an ELL Resource Teacher and Reading Resource Teacher. In 2022, she was appointed assistant principal at Cannella.
Our Comets are going to continue to soar to new heights under your leadership, Lizzette!
Meet the new principal of Mary Bryant Elementary School, Victoria Morse!
Victoria began her career with HCPS in 1995 as a first-grade teacher at Mitchell Elementary School. She later spent 12 years teaching at Lutz Elementary (now K-8) before serving as a district peer evaluator in 2013. In 2017, she returned to Mary Bryant as assistant principal and most recently served as principal of Woodbridge Elementary School.
Congratulations, Victoria! Our Broncos are lucky to have you leading the herd.
We'd like to congratulate Christina Vega on being named the new principal of Buchanan Middle School!
Christina began her HCPS career as a bilingual aide at Dowdell Middle School. She later taught at Sligh Middle School before moving into administration at Sligh, Sulphur Springs, and, most recently, Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School, where she served as principal.
We can't wait to see the waves you'll make with our Buccaneers, Christina!
Christina began her HCPS career as a bilingual aide at Dowdell Middle School. She later taught at Sligh Middle School before moving into administration at Sligh, Sulphur Springs, and, most recently, Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School, where she served as principal.
We can't wait to see the waves you'll make with our Buccaneers, Christina!
Congratulations to Deanna McCahan on being named the new principal of Freedom High School!
She began her career with HCPS in 2001 teaching marketing. She later served at South County Career Acceleration Academy, East Bay High School, and Spoto High School in various teaching and administrative positions. Most recently, she was the principal of Shields Middle School.
We look forward to seeing the incredible work you will do with our Patriots, Deanna!
She began her career with HCPS in 2001 teaching marketing. She later served at South County Career Acceleration Academy, East Bay High School, and Spoto High School in various teaching and administrative positions. Most recently, she was the principal of Shields Middle School.
We look forward to seeing the incredible work you will do with our Patriots, Deanna!
We are proud to announce that Hillsborough County Public Schools has earned an “A” district grade from the Florida Department of Education for the first time in more than a decade! 🎉🎉
This milestone follows a year of remarkable student achievement, reflecting all the hard work and dedication from our students, administrators, teachers, support staff, and families.
We are ready to continue to build on this momentum this upcoming school year.
Thank you to our HCPS Family for helping us lead the way!
🍎📚✨ Last week, more than 1,500 educators from across the country — including 235 Hillsborough County Public Schools teachers and administrators representing more than 70 HCPS sites — attended the AVID Summer Institute in downtown Tampa.
🎤 During the general session, hosted by Sarah Sajan of Armwood Collegiate Academy, attendees heard inspiring stories from keynote speaker Adele Szczech-Johnson of Durant High School, as well as Amari Jones, a former Hillsborough High School AVID student and current AVID teacher at Eisenhower Middle School, and Viviana Melendez, a former Strawberry Crest High School AVID student.
🌟 Each speaker shared how AVID helped shape their educational journeys, careers, and commitment to student success, highlighting the lasting impact of the program on generations of learners and educators.
🥁 Attendees were also treated to a high-energy musical performance by the Durant High School Drumline, bringing excitement, energy, and school spirit to the event!
🎤 During the general session, hosted by Sarah Sajan of Armwood Collegiate Academy, attendees heard inspiring stories from keynote speaker Adele Szczech-Johnson of Durant High School, as well as Amari Jones, a former Hillsborough High School AVID student and current AVID teacher at Eisenhower Middle School, and Viviana Melendez, a former Strawberry Crest High School AVID student.
🌟 Each speaker shared how AVID helped shape their educational journeys, careers, and commitment to student success, highlighting the lasting impact of the program on generations of learners and educators.
🥁 Attendees were also treated to a high-energy musical performance by the Durant High School Drumline, bringing excitement, energy, and school spirit to the event!
"They helped me throughout my treatment, they've helped me throughout my whole journey, and I still come here to support the 1Voice Foundation."
HCPS and 1Voice Academy held a special ceremony to renew our partnership! The MOA commemoration highlighted the importance of helping students with cancer continue their education.
HCPS and 1Voice Academy held a special ceremony to renew our partnership! The MOA commemoration highlighted the importance of helping students with cancer continue their education.
Don't Forget!
Starting Wednesday, July 1, a new Florida Law — the Second Chance Act (Florida Statute 1006.20) — will require first-time high school athletes to have a cleared electrocardiogram (ECG) before participating in any Florida High School Athletic Association sport.
This applies to...
➡️ Rising 9th graders planning to play a high school sport
➡️ Students in grades 10–12 participating in FHSAA athletics for the first time
For a list of upcoming free or low-cost regional ECG screening opportunities for students, visit hillsboroughschools.org/ecgscreenings.
🏆 Congratulations to Liberty Middle School’s Business Leadership Academy students for an outstanding performance at the Virtual Enterprises International Youth Business Summit in New York City! Four teams advanced to the national championships, earning multiple top-three finishes, including a 1st Place Sales Pitch award. We’re proud of our students for showcasing their innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit on the national stage! 👏🎉
THE SURVEY IS NOW OPEN 📥 We're looking for name recommendations for our new state-of-the-art middle school opening in Wimauma in August 2027.
The school will be located on an 87-acre campus at 1716 West Lake Drive and will serve nearly 1,600 students. The property is also home to Aquilla J. Morgan High School and a future elementary school.
The survey will remain open through Friday, July 31, at 5 p.m. All submitted names will be reviewed by the School Board, and a final decision will be made following the Sept. 1 School Board meeting.
Submit your suggestions here: https://bit.ly/middlevv
The school will be located on an 87-acre campus at 1716 West Lake Drive and will serve nearly 1,600 students. The property is also home to Aquilla J. Morgan High School and a future elementary school.
The survey will remain open through Friday, July 31, at 5 p.m. All submitted names will be reviewed by the School Board, and a final decision will be made following the Sept. 1 School Board meeting.
Submit your suggestions here: https://bit.ly/middlevv
Help your student start this upcoming school year healthy and ready to learn with Project LINK’s 2026 Back-to-School Health Clinics. Eligible students can receive school physicals, immunizations, Florida Form DH 680 certificates, and immunization record transfers.
Services are available for children ages 5–17 who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid, including students entering kindergarten, 7th grade, or enrolling in Hillsborough County Public Schools for the first time.
Appointments are required and can be scheduled at www.b2shc.org or through the Back2School Clinic Scheduler app. A one-time $10 registration fee applies per family.
Clinics will be held on Saturdays from July 11 to August 15. Register early to secure your spot and get your child ready for the first day of school!
Hundreds of educators from Hillsborough County Public Schools signed up this week to explore how artificial intelligence can transform teaching and learning.
Through hands-on training and collaboration, teachers and administrators are discovering practical ways AI can save time, streamline planning, and support student success. At the end of the week, participants will earn a credential recognizing their new skills and commitment to innovation.
Through hands-on training and collaboration, teachers and administrators are discovering practical ways AI can save time, streamline planning, and support student success. At the end of the week, participants will earn a credential recognizing their new skills and commitment to innovation.
HCPS students are spending their summer at the World Languages Summer Camp! The month-long program teaches students American Sign Language (ASL), French, and Spanish through fun and interactive activities. 🤩
For more information on the World and Dual Languages programs, visit https://loom.ly/YHtBl5A
