24 students from Alonso, Armwood, and Steinbrenner High Schools represented Hillsborough County Public Schools at the DECA International Career Development Conference 2026 in Atlanta, joining more than 20,000 students from around the world. 🌎
DECA is more than a competition—it’s where students grow as leaders, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward their future careers.
🎉 Special congratulations to Charlotte McDonough on earning a $500 J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation DECA Scholarship!
DECA is more than a competition—it’s where students grow as leaders, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward their future careers.
🎉 Special congratulations to Charlotte McDonough on earning a $500 J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation DECA Scholarship!
The countdown is on for our Class of 2026! 🎓
We’re excited to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our graduating seniors. Ceremonies will take place May 22–30.
Find schedules, locations, livestream details, and updates here: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/graduation
We’re excited to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our graduating seniors. Ceremonies will take place May 22–30.
Find schedules, locations, livestream details, and updates here: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/graduation
Students from the Finance Academies at Armwood, Brandon, Jefferson, and King came together this morning for the NAF Academy of Finance Completers’ Celebration at The Regency in Brandon.
Students heard inspiring words from Jefferson alum and NAF alum speaker Valeria Yepez, keynote speaker Paola Woodruff—VP of Servicing Operations at Grow Financial Credit Union and also a Jefferson graduate!
The highlight of the event: $90,000 in scholarships awarded to Finance Academy students, presented by Chris Taylor, of CT Equity Group, LLC, on behalf of the William A. Gregory Foundation. 🎓💼
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have shaped our nation through language, art, science, leadership, and innovation. This month, we invite students to dive into the rich histories and vibrant cultures across Asia and the Pacific Islands as we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month.
Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week! 🌟
Thank you to our incredible educators who work tirelessly to support and uplift our students.
Want to make an impact? Visit TeachHCPS.com
Thank you to our incredible educators who work tirelessly to support and uplift our students.
Want to make an impact? Visit TeachHCPS.com
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Every student deserves to feel seen, supported, and valued. All month long, we’ll share simple ways to support emotional well‑being for students, families, and staff.
Check our social channels each week for:
✨ Motivating Mondays – Encouragement to start the week strong
🌿 Wellness Wednesdays – Tips and resources for mental wellness
Explore additional resources anytime at https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/mentalhealth
Check our social channels each week for:
✨ Motivating Mondays – Encouragement to start the week strong
🌿 Wellness Wednesdays – Tips and resources for mental wellness
Explore additional resources anytime at https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/mentalhealth
Episode 12: Family and Community Engagement
For this episode, we’re talking about something that makes a powerful difference in a child’s education — family and community engagement. We know that student success doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes strong schools, supportive families, and a connected community all working together. When those pieces align, students are more engaged, more confident, and more likely to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Joining the discussion is Dr. Felita Lewis, Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes! 🎙️
This week, we proudly celebrated the outstanding achievements from across our district! 🎉
During the School Board Recognition Meeting on Tuesday, we honored students, staff, schools, and community partners for their remarkable accomplishments in and out of the classroom.
Below are the different groups that were acknowledged:
👏 Healthy Schools Quarterly Champions
👏 Girl Scouts USA's National Lifesaving Awards
👏 The Girl Scouts of the USA Silver Awards
👏 Middle and High School Athletic Champions
👏 Black History Brain Bowl Student Champions
👏 District Social Studies Teachers of the Year
👏 Purple Star Schools of Distinction
👏 Principals in Practice: Excellence in Leadership
👏 Outstanding School Volunteer Awards
👏 Guiding Parents Success
👏 Fathers and Families Initiative
👏 Blossoming Mothers - Parent Empowerment Program
👏 Green Team Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Badge Winners
👏 Energy Star Certified Buildings
During the School Board Recognition Meeting on Tuesday, we honored students, staff, schools, and community partners for their remarkable accomplishments in and out of the classroom.
Below are the different groups that were acknowledged:
👏 Healthy Schools Quarterly Champions
👏 Girl Scouts USA's National Lifesaving Awards
👏 The Girl Scouts of the USA Silver Awards
👏 Middle and High School Athletic Champions
👏 Black History Brain Bowl Student Champions
👏 District Social Studies Teachers of the Year
👏 Purple Star Schools of Distinction
👏 Principals in Practice: Excellence in Leadership
👏 Outstanding School Volunteer Awards
👏 Guiding Parents Success
👏 Fathers and Families Initiative
👏 Blossoming Mothers - Parent Empowerment Program
👏 Green Team Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Badge Winners
👏 Energy Star Certified Buildings
👟❤️ Volunteers from Nordstrom and Operation Warm visited West Tampa Elementary School to help more than 300 students step into confidence, sizing and donating a brand-new pair of shoes and two new pairs of socks to each student. Thank you to everyone who helped make a difference for our students and families!
🎨🖌️ Students at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School recently showcased their creativity at the school’s annual art show!
Art teacher Mrs. Lemonidis transformed the multipurpose room into a vibrant gallery, where every student had two pieces of artwork on display. Families also enjoyed hands-on activities and the chance to create art together, making it a memorable celebration of creativity and community. 💛✨
Art teacher Mrs. Lemonidis transformed the multipurpose room into a vibrant gallery, where every student had two pieces of artwork on display. Families also enjoyed hands-on activities and the chance to create art together, making it a memorable celebration of creativity and community. 💛✨
Episode 11: Leading with Heart, Principal Latonya Anderson Rhodes
The role of a principal is complex. It requires vision, resilience, decision-making, and accountability. But the very best school leaders bring something more — they lead with heart. Joining the podcast for this episode is Latonya Anderson Rhodes, principal of Jennings Middle School. She’s here to share what it means to lead with compassion, high expectations, and an unwavering belief in students.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes! 🎙️
Muller Elementary Magnet School celebrated its annual Recycled Fashion Show this week! ♻️
Teachers, students, and families participate by designing outfits made from recycled materials and then wearing their amazing creations on the runway!
The event combines the school's magnet themes of environmental science and the arts, powerfully uniting creativity, sustainability, and community spirit.
Teachers, students, and families participate by designing outfits made from recycled materials and then wearing their amazing creations on the runway!
The event combines the school's magnet themes of environmental science and the arts, powerfully uniting creativity, sustainability, and community spirit.
As the school year winds down, we’re celebrating the incredible accomplishments of our students, and one group truly stands out: our collegiate academy seniors. 🎓
These graduates aren’t just earning their high school diplomas; they’re also walking away with their Associate of Arts degrees through Hillsborough College. An amazing achievement and a powerful head start on their future!
Pictured: Spoto High School Collegiate Academy's Class of 2026 at their graduate recognition ceremony.
A big thank you to Hillsborough College for helping our students to reach new heights!
These graduates aren’t just earning their high school diplomas; they’re also walking away with their Associate of Arts degrees through Hillsborough College. An amazing achievement and a powerful head start on their future!
Pictured: Spoto High School Collegiate Academy's Class of 2026 at their graduate recognition ceremony.
A big thank you to Hillsborough College for helping our students to reach new heights!
FREE Summer VPK!
HCPS is offering a 30-day VPK program at select school campuses for children entering kindergarten in Fall 2026. June 3–July 23 | Mon–Thurs | 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Spots are limited—register now: https://bit.ly/HCPSSummerVPK
Bright mornings, safe rides, and kind smiles — our school bus drivers make every school day possible. 🚍✨
Today is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Help us celebrate the people who guide our kids to learning with care and patience. Thank you for going the extra mile!
Today is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Help us celebrate the people who guide our kids to learning with care and patience. Thank you for going the extra mile!
Last week, more than 60 HCPS students showcased their skills at AgAbilities 🌱🐄
They competed across four tracks—Beef & Dairy, Food & Nutrition, Plant Identification, and even a tractor driving challenge—putting their agriculture knowledge to the test in hands-on, real-world scenarios 🚜👏 #CTE
They competed across four tracks—Beef & Dairy, Food & Nutrition, Plant Identification, and even a tractor driving challenge—putting their agriculture knowledge to the test in hands-on, real-world scenarios 🚜👏 #CTE
Results from the 2nd Choice, Magnet, and Hillsborough Virtual School Application Window for the 2026-2027 School Year are now available!
Families can visit community.sdhc.k12.fl.us to access their results.
The response window will close on Wednesday, May 6, at 11:59 p.m.
If you need any assistance, please contact our Choice Information Line at 813-272-4692.
Students from Plant City High School explored careers in the electrical field with visits to TECO and the IBEW Local 915 Training Center ⚡️
They learned about linemen, substations, and control panels, sat in on a wiring class, and worked alongside apprentices in a hands-on workshop. Students also connected with Plant City High grads who shared how classroom learning translates into real careers 👏
They learned about linemen, substations, and control panels, sat in on a wiring class, and worked alongside apprentices in a hands-on workshop. Students also connected with Plant City High grads who shared how classroom learning translates into real careers 👏
Altar'd State Tampa surprised Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School and West Tampa Elementary School on Friday with an incredibly generous gift! Each school received $20,000 in AdoptAClassroom.org funding.
Every teacher will receive an equal share to purchase the materials and resources they need to support their classrooms and students for the upcoming school year.
We are so grateful to Altar’d State and AdoptAClassroom.org for investing in our students, teachers, and school communities. It truly takes a village, and this is what that support looks like in action!
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON ⏳🎓 Class of 2026, there are just 26 days until graduation ceremonies begin!
In less than a month, our seniors will walk across the stage and turn the page to their next chapter. We can’t wait to celebrate you! 🎉
View the full schedule of this year’s commencement ceremonies at hillsboroughschools.org/graduation.
In less than a month, our seniors will walk across the stage and turn the page to their next chapter. We can’t wait to celebrate you! 🎉
View the full schedule of this year’s commencement ceremonies at hillsboroughschools.org/graduation.
