School Board Member Jessica Vaughn is looking for high school students to be part of the District 3 Student Advisory Council. If you attend Freedom, Wharton, Steinbrenner, Strawberry Crest, Chamberlain, or Gaither, this is a great opportunity to make your voice heard and drive positive change at your school and in the district. Please see the flyer for more information and to apply.
Step Up Scholarships Accepted at HCPS!
Did you know Hillsborough County Public Schools accepts Step Up For Students scholarships for eligible courses?
Students using the FES-EO or PEP Scholarship may be able to use scholarship funds toward eligible HCPS courses, including electives, advanced academics, CTE, elementary specials, and virtual courses: HCPSScholarships.com
Did you know Hillsborough County Public Schools accepts Step Up For Students scholarships for eligible courses?
Students using the FES-EO or PEP Scholarship may be able to use scholarship funds toward eligible HCPS courses, including electives, advanced academics, CTE, elementary specials, and virtual courses: HCPSScholarships.com
Proud to be on the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools list! This recognition is a reflection of the amazing teachers, staff, and students who make our school such a special place to learn and grow. Congratulations to all our students and staff.
2026–2027 Student Code of Conduct
Families can now view the 2026–2027 Student Code of Conduct online. The Code of Conduct provides important information about student expectations, rights, responsibilities, and district policies. It is broken up into four sections:
Introduction
Students’ and Parent/Guardians’ Rights and Responsibilities
Policies and Procedures
Discipline
For the full code of conduct, please visit hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/student-code-of-conduct.
Student schedules will be available to view beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4, through the Focus Parent Portal.
To access your student's schedule, you must first complete all required back-to-school forms online.
For more details and information, visit: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/article/3057201
Back-to-school forms are now available through the HCPS Focus Parent Portal!
Starting today, families can complete all required new school year forms online before the first day, which is on Monday, August 10.
For more details and information, visit: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/article/3047169
🏆 Congratulations to 44 Hillsborough County Public Schools seniors named 2026 College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship winners! Their academic achievement, dedication, and commitment to excellence have earned them this prestigious national recognition. We are proud of these outstanding students! 🎓✨
See the complete list of winners: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/article/2966795
PLANNING AHEAD? 🗓️ We've got you covered! The 2027-2028 Student Academic Calendar is now available, giving families an early look at important dates for the FOLLOWING school year.
Students' First Day of School -Tuesday, August 10, 2027
Regular Student Day/No Early Release - Monday, August 16, 2027
Labor Day/Non-Student Day - Monday, September 6, 2027
End of 1st Grading Period - Friday, October 8, 2027
Veterans Day/Non-Student Day - Thursday, November 11, 2027
Fall Break/Non-Student Days - Monday, November 22 - Friday, November 26, 2027
Students Return to School - Monday, November 29, 2027
End of 2nd Grading Period/1st Semester - Friday, December 17, 2027
Winter Break/Non-Student Days - Monday, December 20 - Friday, December 31, 2027
Non-Student Day - Monday, January 3, 2028
Students Return to School - Tuesday, January 4, 2028
Martin Luther King, Jr./Non-Student Day - Monday, January 17, 2028
Florida State Fair/Non-Student Day - Friday, February 18, 2028
Presidents' Day/Non-Student Day - Monday, February 21, 2028
Strawberry Festival/Non-Student Day - Monday, March 6, 2028
End of 3rd Grading Period - Friday, March 10, 2028
Spring Break/Non-Student Days - Monday, March 13 - Friday, March 17, 2028
Non-Student Day - Monday, March 20, 2028
Students Return to School - Tuesday, March 21, 2028
Non-Student Day - Friday, April 14, 2028
Last Day of School; End of 4th Grading Period/2nd Semester - Friday, May 26, 2028
Tentative Hurricane Make-Up Day(s) if needed: November 11, November 22-24, January 3, 2028.
Student Early Release Day schedule has not been finalized.
Monday, August 16, 2027, will be a regular student day.
The last day of school is a 2.5-hour early release.
In case you need THIS YEAR'S calendar, visit hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/calendar26-27.
We've extended our Summer Feeding Program's weekly meal box distribution by one more week!
Families can pick up a free seven-day meal box every Wednesday on July 15, July 22, and now July 29, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at South County Career Center (2810 John Sherman Way, Ruskin).
Each meal box includes seven days of breakfast and lunch meals, plus a gallon of milk for children and teens 18 and younger. Children do not need to be present for pickup.
Can't make it to the weekly pickup? HCPS also continues to offer free on-site meals at more than 150 locations throughout the summer. Find a meal site near you at summerbreakspot.org.
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.
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!
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.
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.
🎓 Congratulations, Class of 2026! Your hard work and resilience have brought you to this milestone, and this is just the beginning. Wishing you continued success and exciting new opportunities ahead!
Smiles are big, and summer is here! Thank you for a year full of growth and great moments. Have an amazing summer.
Over the next nine days, more than 14,000 seniors will proudly walk across the stage and officially become graduates of Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Behind every diploma is a story of hard work, perseverance, growth, unforgettable memories, and dreams for the future. We could not be more proud of everything you have accomplished. Your future is bright, and this is only the beginning.
Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓🎉
Click here to watch the Class of 2026 graduation video: https://youtu.be/ZjIbPIwlq8c?si=xFn6HY9UJWQDkpmp
Episode 17: Student Voices
For the final episode of our very first podcast season, we turn the microphone over to the voices at the heart of our schools — our students. Two graduating seniors, Ella Connell and Dillon Colaso, join us to reflect on their K–12 journey, from their earliest days in kindergarten to the milestones of their senior year. They share the moments, experiences, and educators that made an impact, how they’ve grown along the way, and what lies ahead as they prepare to take their next steps beyond high school.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes! 🎙️
More information about the More to the Story podcast>>
